(Courtesy of JOWMA) On Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA) held its fifth annual conference and dinner, “Transforming Healthcare: Innovation & Research.” Over 500 attendees from the medical field, government and Jewish community came together for a day of education, community service and empowerment.
The conference kicked off on Sunday morning with the volunteer recognition ceremony, recognizing the critical work of JOWMA volunteers in the Jewish community. Conference attendees got an early start to the program as they heard introductory remarks from Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt, writer and rebbetzin of Altneu Synagogue in the Upper East Side, who spoke about the critical role JOWMA members serve as medical experts and Jewish women leaders.
Some of the back-to-back session titles included “Hope, Hype or Hazard? The Promise and Perils of the Psychedelic Revolution”; “The Evolving Landscape of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy”; “Undiagnosed & Untreated: Focus on Women’s Health through the LSD Lens”; and “Weight Loss Unpacked: A Multidisciplinary Panel Discussion.”
Attendees had the privilege of hearing keynote addresses from Dr. Michelle Morse, M.D., acting commissioner of New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and James V. McDonald, M.D., MPH, commissioner of New York State Department of Health. Dr McDonald met with JOWMA leadership for a private meeting to discuss critical health issues facing the Jewish community.
“JOWMA is a great partner of the New York City Health Department and we remain thankful for their commitment in supporting a healthier New York City. Shared experience builds an immediate foundation of trust, especially for patients who don’t often find providers that come from their community. That trust can quite literally be lifesaving,” shared Morse. “The 2025 JOWMA annual conference made it clear that JOWMA members offer a sense of community and trust not just to their patients, but to one another. JOWMA is a great partner of the New York City Health Department, and we remain thankful for their commitment in supporting a healthier New York City.”
During the panel moderated by JOWMA CEO Dr. Mimi Knoll, attendees enjoyed an inside look into “Public Health Forum: Innovative Approaches to Community Health Challenges” with New York City Council members Julie Menin (District 5), Mercedes Narcisse (District 46), Lynn Schulman (District 29), and McDonald.
“I thank the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association for giving me an opportunity to participate in such a wonderful conference,” McDonald said. “It was a pleasure meeting so many dedicated health care professionals, speaking with aspiring medical students, and sharing the mission and goals of the State Department of Health for the new year. We appreciate our partnership with the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association to improve the health of the Jewish community.”
Council member Lynn Schulman added her perspective: “It was an honor to join the Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association for their annual conference and engage in meaningful discussions about the critical role public health plays in our city. Our work in promoting accessible, equitable healthcare is more important than ever, and I’m committed to advocating for policies that support the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. Collaborating with dedicated professionals like those at JOWMA inspires us to keep pushing for a healthier, more inclusive future.”
The conference also featured innovative programming geared specifically towards premed attendees, who heard from a panel of medical school admissions directors from Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Touro College and University System, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Premed students had the opportunity to participate in engaging roundtables to interact directly with the admissions directors to learn how to navigate the medical school application process, interview tips, personal statements, how to prepare for the MCATs and more.
Participants enjoyed hearing first-hand accounts from JOWMA’s Medical Mission to Israel volunteers, who spent time in hospitals all over Israel after Oct. 7. JOWMA Israel chair Mira Hellmann-Ostrov, M.D., led a fascinating discussion with Ashi Salmon, M.D. from Israel’s ministry of health; Edward Bennet, M.D., JOWMA medical mission volunteer; Catherine Reed, MBA, CEO of American Friends of Magen David Adom’ and Yael Haalas, M.D., director of AJMA; who all shared their experiences and their connection to the mission.
The day concluded with JOWMA’s inspiring dinner that honored Rep. Dan Goldman with the Community Guardian Award, Naamit K. Gerber, M.D, with the Mentorship Award, and Sara Rosanel, M.D., with the Physician Leadership Award.
“The empowerment at the JOWMA 2025 conference was unparalleled!” shared Rosanel. “Jewish physicians and trainees from diverse backgrounds gathered with one goal in mind: to connect so that we can better serve our community. JOWMA has been my professional home since its inception, aligning with my values as a Jewish woman physician. It helped me navigate the complexities of training while having the support of an incredible group of women who’ve been through it all. Being recognized with the illustrious Physician Leader Award was a true highlight of my career. I’m so glad I was able to share this moment with my husband, Yossi, and my three children, Ariel, Zev and Shirley, who traveled from Miami and missed school and work to be with me. I will cherish this moment forever.”
Garber also expressed her gratitude. “It was so meaningful to be honored by JOWMA at their annual dinner. The video tribute, speeches and the presence of so many family members and friends were incredibly moving. I hope to contribute to JOWMA for years to come and am so grateful for all they have given me and the support they provide to so many frum female physicians.”
Dr. Sheindel Goldfeiz, PGY-1, pediatric neurology and COO-CFO of JOWMA, said, “The JOWMA annual conference and dinner is a treasured opportunity — a day dedicated to uplifting one another as doctors, women and members of the Jewish community. Every year, I am in awe of the extraordinary achievements and remarkable talent of our members. It’s an honor to come together, celebrate and inspire one another in such a meaningful way.”
The Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA) is a dynamic organization that supports over 800 Jewish women physicians at every stage of their careers, from premed and beyond, and serves the community by providing free, culturally sensitive and accessible health information and resources for the Orthodox Jewish community. Their members span nearly every medical specialty and serve as a braintrust, by acting as liaisons between the community and health stakeholders including government and hospitals.
