Sheba Medical Center: A Global Benchmark in Gynecologic Oncology Innovation

Dr. Limor Helpman, Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Deputy Director of Gynecologic Oncology, and head of Sheba’s ESGO-accredited fellowship, combines surgical expertise, oncologic knowledge, and data-driven quality improvement to improve outcomes across the full cancer care continuum. This integrated model has also earned recognition from Newsweek, which named Sheba one of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Advancing Minimally Invasive Surgery

Sheba treats more than 30% of women diagnosed with ovarian and cervical cancer in Israel, reinforcing its role as the national tertiary referral center for gynecologic malignancies. That concentration of complex cases helps build the surgical experience needed to support strong outcomes. As Dr. Helpman explains, “The management of patients with cancer encompasses multiple facets and is by nature multidisciplinary. Volume and experience are key factors in determining the quality of care.”

The division continues to expand the limits of minimally invasive surgery through multiple robotic platforms, including the Israeli-developed Memic system. “Robotic platforms help expand the boundaries of what we can offer patients under the title of MIS: more patients, more surgeons and more procedures,” she says. This approach makes complex cytoreductive and radical procedures accessible to patients who might otherwise require open surgery.

Intraoperative infrared fluorescence imaging adds another layer of precision. In addition to advanced sentinel node mapping, the technology can help visualize ureteral anatomy in retroperitoneal disease, evaluate anastomotic viability, and assess surgical flaps. In gynecologic oncology, where accuracy measured in millimeters matters, these capabilities are especially important.

Integrated Cancer Care

Sheba’s care model spans BRCA surveillance, radical and minimally invasive surgery, systemic therapy, and survivorship support, delivered by gynecologic oncologists trained as both surgeons and medical oncologists. “The gynecologist is both a surgeon and an oncologist,” Dr. Helpman notes. “We are trained to deliver systemic therapy to patients in adjuvant and recurrent/metastatic settings.”

This integrated approach places Sheba at the forefront of precision medicine, including antibody-drug conjugates, targeted therapies, and cancer vaccines. Israel’s early access to innovative drugs, together with strong clinical trial infrastructure, allows patients to receive pre-approval therapies alongside standard treatment. The division also works closely with medical oncology and radiation oncology teams to support truly multidisciplinary decision-making.

Continuity of care extends beyond the hospital through remote monitoring developed with Sheba’s Beyond Virtual Hospital. The program tracks vital signs, symptoms, and patient-reported outcomes through wearables and mobile apps. “We were able to show excellent patient experience, improved QOL and decreased use of urgent care services,” Dr. Helpman says. Nurse case managers can respond to real-time alerts, helping reduce emergency visits among patients receiving systemic therapy.

Training and Innovation

Since 2022, Sheba has held ESGO accreditation for gynecologic oncology fellowship training, placing it among a select group of centers worldwide. “Our first fellow graduated last year,” Dr. Helpman shares, with additional European trainees expected to join. International fellows gain exposure to advanced surgery, clinical trials, quality improvement projects, and innovation initiatives that define Sheba’s model.

Quality improvement has produced measurable results. A recent venous thromboembolism prevention program for ambulatory ovarian cancer patients achieved a 30% reduction through EMR-integrated risk calculators. This effort reflects Dr. Helpman’s view that “the beauty of QI is that any team member can be a leader and innovator.”

Sheba’s collaborative innovation is also evident in fertility preservation research. Young women receiving pelvic radiation for non-gynecologic cancers now benefit from uterine ventrofixation performed by Radiation Oncology, GI Medical Oncology, Fertility, and Gynecologic Oncology teams. The first patient has shown a responsive endometrium, creating the possibility of embryo transfer in the future and preserving reproductive potential in a way that was not previously possible.

Global Recognition

Sheba’s excellence has received international validation, with Newsweek naming it one of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026 in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The recognition reflects a model built on integration: surgical innovation supported by oncologic expertise, technology that enhances clinical judgment, and continuity that extends from diagnosis through survivorship.

Dr. Helpman’s emphasis on “data-driven quality improvement” and “addressing equity gaps in access and quality of care” is reflected in everyday practice, as more women receive precise treatment with fewer complications and better quality of life. The result is a system that serves patients locally while influencing care standards globally through ESGO training and multidisciplinary innovation.

Sheba Medical Center welcomes referrals for complex gynecologic malignancies, fertility-sparing innovation, and comprehensive survivorship planning.

Contact Sheba to explore multidisciplinary care pathways for complex clinical needs.