Health and well-being are fundamental aspects of human existence, both at the individual and societal levels. Their cultivation and improvement are central goals for individuals and communities alike, and are often essential for sustaining physical and psychological well-being. This recognition has led to a growing appreciation of the importance of insights and tools from the humanities in medical practice, including interpersonal communication, the development of deeper analytical approaches to medical situations, and engagement with ethical challenges.

Out of this understanding, the field of Medical Humanities has emerged, examining medicine through the perspectives and methodologies of the humanities.

Medical Humanities places medicine at the center of a broader ethical, intellectual, and complex discussion concerning medical knowledge, its application, and the interactions between caregivers and patients. The field encompasses a range of sub-disciplines, including literature and medicine, narrative medicine, medical anthropology, and science and technology studies.

History plays a central role in this discourse, not only as a means of understanding the past but also as a critical approach to examining the present. It enables the analysis of complexities, the identification of alternative possibilities, and a deeper understanding of the cultural, political, and social contexts that shape medicine and health.

Accordingly, many historians have turned their attention to the history of health and medicine in its broadest sense, from antiquity to the present day and across diverse geographical contexts. These scholars also contribute to the education and training of the next generation of researchers in the field. Despite the richness of this scholarly activity, research is often conducted individually, without a supportive professional framework that can foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration. The aim of this study day was to serve as the first step toward establishing a professional community for graduate students and early-career scholars.

The initiative emerged from ongoing discussions among historians of medicine from Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who identified the need for such a framework and expressed their willingness to contribute to its development. Participants in these discussions, listed in alphabetical order, included Prof. Assaf Goldschmidt, Dr. Reut Harari, Dr. Amir Teicher, Prof. Naama Cohen-Hanegbi, Prof. Liat Kozma, and Prof. Miri Shefer-Mossensohn.

Opening Session: Roundtable Discussion with Senior Scholars

The opening session featured an open discussion addressing fundamental questions in the field: What is the history of medicine and health? Should it be considered a distinct area of research? What are its unique methodological approaches? What is its contribution to broader historical scholarship?

The participants shared their experiences and presented diverse perspectives, with the aim of introducing graduate students to key questions in the field and exposing them to a range of leading scholars working in Israel.

Discussion Circles: Small Group Sessions

Graduate students and early-career researchers participating in the study day divided into small discussion groups led by senior scholars. Each group focused on personal and professional introductions and discussed insights that emerged from the opening session.

Closing Session: Return to Plenary

The final session included a summary of the discussions, the sharing of insights, and collective reflection on future directions: How can the connections established during the study day be further developed? What existing frameworks are available for presenting research? Which journals provide relevant opportunities for publication?