Does everyone get equitable medicine?
Leah Wapner |
TEDxTelAvivSalon
• February 2017
What will determine the life expectancy of a newborn baby? Does everyone get equitable medicine?
Leah Wapner serves as the Secretary General and Legal Adviser of the Israeli Medical Association, an organization that represents the interests of close to 30,000 doctors. Since taking the reins of the IMA, over 20 years ago, Leah has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s visionary long-term strategic plan. She has been a trailblazer in promoting the improvement of medicine and public health in Israel and is dedicated to transforming healthcare.
Over the years, Leah has maintained significant positions of responsibility. Presently, she heads joint projects for the IMA and WHO; serves as the Secretary General and Legal Advisor of the European Forum of Medical Associations and as Advisor to the Finance and Planning, Socio-Medical Affairs and Medical Ethics Committees at the World Medical Association.
Leah has a plethora of experience in the intersection of IP’s and Innovation in Medicine. She believes that without the protections of a strong, IP system, researchers may not be able to explore new areas of medical innovation and unearth findings that will lead to the treatments and cures of tomorrow. To this end, Leah has spearheaded a course for doctors about IP’s and innovation in medicine which stresses the importance of pursuing research in finding cures and treatments.
Moreover, Leah speaks widely in both Israel and abroad on health and medical issues, medical ethics, organization of health systems and social issues within medicine. Once a year, she lectures at the Faculty of Medicine, Haifa and Continuing Studies Faculty in Tel Aviv.
Leah received her B.A. and M.A. in Law from Bar Ilan University. In addition to this, Leah has completed the Strategic Management for Leaders of Non-Governmental Organizations program at Harvard Kennedy School and the INSEAD World Medical Association Training course at INSEAD, The Business School of the World.