A call was recently issued to locate a director for the hospital, which also includes the management of the Herzfeld Geriatric Center.
“Clalit’s management term is four years, and it is surprising that she is ending her position after two and a half years,” said a former senior Clalit official. “It is strange that precisely in such a period of burden on the hospitals, the role of hospital director is terminated. It is said that this is related to the fact that the hospital is in deficit, but all of Clalit’s hospitals – including the government – are in deficit.”
Another senior Clalit official said: “It fell on us like a thunderbolt on a clear day. Everyone received the announcement in complete surprise that she was leaving the post. No one has any idea what exactly is going on inside.”
Dr. Avishai-Eliner, an expert in pediatrics and medical administration, was appointed director of Kaplan and the Herzfeld Geriatric Hospital in September 2018, having served as deputy director at Kaplan since 2016.
Dr. Avishai-Eliner, married and a mother of two, has served as a community pediatrician in Kaplan and Tel Hashomer, and as a pediatrician and intensive care provider in Kaplan and the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.
Her associates told Israel Today that she, too, received the message by surprise, but would not fight against the decision to replace her and end the job.
No response has yet been received from Clalit.