Ask Dr. Roni Postan Koren what she’s been up to over the last few years, and you’d think that medical school was just a side gig. Not to imply that she didn’t take her studies seriously – she did. So much in fact, that she recently began her residency in cardiac surgery.
During her first year, Roni became involved with the Ein Kerem student union, and in her second year coordinated the union’s academic affairs. When the head of the union suggested that she replace him the following year, she shrugged it off. When he sent others to try to persuade her, she didn’t take much heed. Eventually Roni relented – she ran and won!
Initially, Roni suffered from imposter syndrome: “Any minute now, they’ll realize who I actually am. I’m only 24, why should anyone take me seriously?” But soon enough she was off. At the year’s end, Roni looked back at all she’d accomplished and realized she’d almost missed out – primarily because she hadn’t believed in herself. Academic literature revealed she wasn’t alone. “Research shows that around age 12, girls begin to lose their self-confidence,” Roni comments. “Women tend to attribute their failures to internal causes, and their success to external causes. They blame themselves and develop a fear of failure.”
This led her to establish Shavot (Hebrew for equal and worthy) together with her husband, Eldad (a fellow Hebrew University alumnus and former head of the University-wide student union). What began as a small pilot in Jerusalem has now grown into a non-profit that works with over 1,000 girls in 13 municipalities and regional councils across Israel. Participants in Shavot’s year-long program gain positive self-esteem by setting goals, effectively conducting self-feedback, and meeting with inspirational women. Participants meet after school in a group setting, facilitated by their mentor, a female university student.
Shavot was enjoying moderate growth when the pandemic struck. When reports started trickling in of girls who were upset because their Bat Mitzva celebrations were cancelled, Shavot’s staff decided to organize a large online Bat Mitzva party. Word spread, and over 1,200 girls, along with their families, participated in breakout sessions facilitated by 200 volunteers. They heard greetings from pop-stars, celebrities, and even then-President of Israel Reuven Rivlin.
Riding on this success, Shavot organized the first Israeli Girl Week – also held online. They recruited over 500 female volunteers who shared their inspirational stories with the students. Teachers received lesson plans for helping their students prepare and reflect on the event. Concurrently, Shavot conducted a nationwide survey and published the first Israeli Girl Report. By the time the second Israeli Girl Week rolled around, they had to cap their volunteers at 1,500 – enthusiasm was so high. Over 50,000 students, boys and girls, participated in the week, which was kicked off with a festive reception at the President’s Residence, hosted by First Lady Michal Herzog.
Shavot was Roni’s gateway into the world of entrepreneurship, and words such as “innovation” and “technology” began creeping into her vocabulary. Back at medical school, she’d just begun her clinical years. Working in the hospital, with patients, she realized the distance between her two worlds. “Why aren’t medical students talking about innovation?” she wondered. “Hospitals are full of technology, why aren’t we identifying potential for improvement and developing solutions?” Roni met with the dean, Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, who supported Roni’s ideas. This led Roni to join forces with fellow medical student Tommy Jacob and organize the first Jerusalem Medical Technology Hackathon. “The experience mattered more than the end result,” she reflects. “This was the first time that medical students and practitioners met with technologists, business people, product designers – they experienced identifying a problem, breaking it down, and working together to develop a solution.” This led to a partnership with ASPER-HUJI Innovate, through which Roni was involved in additional medical innovation programs, developing a BioMed MBA program for Hebrew University students of medical fields, running campus events, and more.
It is thus no surprise that in 2022, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation granted Roni a Medal of Distinction, while Forbes Israel included her in their “30 Under 30” list. In the years ahead, Roni’s hands will be quite full – between her residency and raising her and Eldad’s twin daughters. But beyond that, it’s clear to her that her worlds must collide – bringing entrepreneurship, innovation, and activism into the world of medicine.
“The year that I headed the Ein Kerem student union taught me so much. First, I realized the potential of my impact. Even as a student, I accomplished more than I ever dreamt possible. I learned to appreciate my abilities, and realized how much I love activism – working to improve the world around me.”