An award was recently presented by Dr. Yaffa Ashur, director of Yoseftal Medical Center and head of Clalit’s Eilat region, who highlighted the social and personal significance of Dr. Nadia Khir’s story. The conference was organized by the newspaper Israel Hayom, and led by Jewish philanthropist Miriam Adelson.

Groundbreaker

Dr. Nadia Khir, 58, from the Druze village of Julis, was the first Druze woman in Israel to study medicine, at a time when women leaving the village for academic studies was considered highly unusual, particularly for medical school, which required many years of training and living away from home.

Her journey began in a complex personal reality. She grew up in a household facing economic and family challenges and studied for her matriculation exams while sitting on the grass because there was no desk at home. Witnessing her mother’s illness and feeling powerless in the face of it inspired her desire to become a doctor, someone who could heal, provide hope and help others.

When she chose to begin medical studies at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in 1985, she faced significant opposition from parts of her community and surroundings. At the time, very few Druze women pursued higher education. Despite social pressure, criticism and fear of breaking convention, she refused to give up and ultimately became a symbol of social change.