Dr. Anael Leon

Meet the Alumna: Dr. Anal Leon

Tell us a little about yourself and your journey to medicine.

My name is Dr. Anal Leon. I am married to Eli and the mother of Roni, Itamar, and Or. My journey in healthcare actually began with a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After three years working as a pharmacist at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), I felt something was missing. I wanted a closer, more direct connection with patients, so I decided to pursue a career in medicine.

Fortunately, I was accepted to the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Safed. Like many families, we had our concerns about relocating to the Upper Galilee, but it did not take long for us to realize we had found the right place. Choosing to build our lives here became a natural decision. We found a high quality of life, a warm community, and a sense of purpose that accompanies us every day.

What was it like studying and completing your internship in northern Israel?

The greatest advantage, in my experience, was the personal attention. Throughout my studies, I never felt like just another student in the system. During the clinical rotations, students play an active role in patient care and even participate in surgical procedures under close supervision, a level of involvement that is often difficult to find in the busy hospitals of central Israel.

This advantage continued during my internship at Ziv Medical Center. There are many opportunities to stand out, gain experience, and improve your chances of matching into competitive residency programs.

Beyond that, the Galilee offers a sense of calm that helps maintain balance in an otherwise demanding profession. In central Israel, after a 26-hour shift, you might spend another hour sitting in traffic on the way home. In the Galilee, the drive home takes you through open green landscapes, with the Sea of Galilee stretching across the horizon. Within minutes, I can be sitting by a flowing stream with a cup of coffee, reconnecting with nature and recharging.

What is it like raising a family while building a medical career in the Galilee?

Today, we live in Kibbutz Hulata, and raising children here feels like giving them the kind of childhood many people remember from years past. The challenge of living far from our extended family, who remain in central Israel, was addressed simply: we turned our home into a place that is always open to family and friends.

The move also gave my husband, Eli, the opportunity to reinvent himself professionally and become involved in meaningful work in the region. In many ways, this is one of the North's greatest strengths. If something is missing, people simply create it. There is a spirit of initiative here, even a kind of modern pioneering.

Where do you work today, and what message would you like to share with the next generation?

Today, I am a resident physician in Family Medicine in Kiryat Shmona. I chose this specialty because it allows me to provide high-quality care built on long-term, personal relationships with patients.

Against the backdrop of the war and the challenges faced by communities in the region, that choice has become even more meaningful and mission-driven. I want to share my love for the Galilee and contribute to its continued development.

That same sense of purpose led me to take part in developing the academic program for Israel's first Medical Student Village, established by the Faculty and opened this month at Kibbutz Amiad. It is a privilege to support the next generation of medical students, and my message to them is simple: come, be bold, and stay with us in the North.

What about the challenges? Are there difficulties in being a physician in northern Israel?

The greatest challenge is balancing the intensity of medical training without having the safety net of extended family nearby. Working long shifts is never easy when grandparents and relatives live hours away.

At the same time, that challenge pushed us to build a strong local community that has become our second family. In many ways, that sense of belonging and mutual support is what makes life in the Galilee so special.