Leadership update: new orthopedics officer for AO Spine Council Israel

Election

AO Spine Europe and Southern Africa (AO SESA) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Orthopedics Officer for the AO Spine Council Israel. This important role reflects the continued commitment of AO Spine to strong regional representation, collaboration, and clinical excellence.

Following a voting process involving AO members across Israel, Dr Elias Haddad has been elected as the new Orthopedics Officer. The outcome of the election has been formally reviewed and approved by the AO Spine Nomination Committee (NomCom), confirming both the integrity of the process and the strong support for Dr Haddad’s appointment.

AO Spine would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the outgoing Orthopedics Officer, Dr Shay Menham, for his dedicated service and valuable contributions. During his tenure, Dr Menham played a key role in strengthening collaboration within the region and advancing AO Spine’s mission. His leadership has helped build a solid foundation for future initiatives across Israel and the broader AO SESA community.

Dr Elias Haddad

I am an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal surgery at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, with fifteen years of clinical experience combining active clinical practice with a passion for surgical education and AO Spine involvement through courses, teaching, and faculty roles.

I have been appointed for a one-year term, and I intend to make it count. My focus will be on building a culture where Israeli spine surgeons see AO Spine as an integral part of their professional life—showing up to events, stepping up to teach, and opening their doors to fellows. Within this year, I will prioritize organizing local seminars with a hands-on teaching emphasis, launching a structured fellowship program at Rambam for both local and international trainees. Growing the community means bringing more surgeons in, and leading it means setting an example through consistent personal involvement in everything the organization has to offer.

As he steps into his new role, Dr Haddad brings expertise, experience, and a clear commitment to advancing orthopedic spine care within the region. His election reflects the confidence of his peers and the strong engagement of the AO community in Israel. AO Spine looks forward to working closely with him as he contributes to ongoing educational programs, clinical exchange, and regional development initiatives.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr Elias Haddad to his new position and congratulating him on this well-deserved appointment. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen AO Spine Council Israel and support continued growth and collaboration across the region.