{"id":9791,"date":"2024-04-02T13:12:44","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T10:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/articles\/the-gender-reassignment-committee\/"},"modified":"2024-04-02T13:12:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T10:12:44","slug":"the-gender-reassignment-committee","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/articles\/the-gender-reassignment-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gender Reassignment Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheba.co.il\/%D7%94%D7%95%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%AA%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%AA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The national Gender Reassignment Committee<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was founded for the purpose of evaluating and<\/span> <b>approving gender affirming surgeries<\/b>, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">specifically ones performed in public health centers, and funded by the person\u2019s Kupat Holim (HMO) or the army as a part of the healthcare basket (Sal Habriut \u05e1\u05dc \u05d4\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea); and for<\/span> <b>approving a change of the gender marker<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the national population registry and in the person\u2019s identifying documents such as I.D and passport.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some gender reassignment procedures which can be accessed through the doctors and other members of the Committee can also be accessed through various doctors, the Kupat Holim, and hospitals and health centers. Some of these are fully publicly funded after getting the committee\u2019s approval, some are included in secondary health insurance (\u05d1\u05d9\u05d8\u05d5\u05d7 \u05de\u05e9\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd), and some are a part of the healthcare basket and do not require the committee\u2019s approval. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee works in the Haim Sheba Hospital at Tel Hashomer.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee functions in accordance with the Ministry of Health\u2019s regulations in<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%97%d7%95%d7%96%d7%a8-%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%a0%d7%94%d7%9c-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%90%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%a1-16-2014\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare Administration Circular no. 16\/2014<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Committee\u2019s responsibilities<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee evaluates an applicant\u2019s fitness for gender reassignment surgeries in two aspects:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Medical \u2013 the Committee\u2019s official purpose is to provide medical consultation and to make sure there are no medical reasons that would prevent the requested surgery or surgeries from being performed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Informed Consent \u2013 the Committee\u2019s official purpose is to provide as much relevant information as possible, in order to allow informed consent for medical procedures. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In situations where there is a lack of ability to give informed consent, the Committee process will resume once that ability returns.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Committee works to provide each applicant with the medical and psychosocial information about gender reassignment procedures in a personalized manner. It offers emotional support and accompaniment throughout the process, and allows for conversations about gender and gender affirming care with professionals trained in these fields. <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Core principles and rights<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee follows core principles which mandate that each person has the right to make decisions about their own body and about medical procedures, if they can give informed consent. Gender reassignment surgeries which the Committee authorizes are intended to allow each person to live in harmony with their gender identity.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This comes from the view that gender affirming procedures are varied, both medically and socially, and should be matched to each person\u2019s wants and needs. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding and expressing one\u2019s gender is a basic right for every one of us, and there is a broad spectrum of experiences, identities and gender expressions, which can change over time. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gender identification or expression are not dependent on sex hormones, secondary sex characteristics, genitals, or sexuality. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee acts in accordance with the Patient\u2019s Rights Act and the core principles at its heart. Each applicant has the right to receive respectful and equal treatment with respect to their chosen or preferred name, pronouns, and gender expression. They have the right to access their personal medical records which include documentation of the applicant\u2019s progress in the Committee, and can ask questions and request clarifications about medical procedures. They can also bring an escort to accompany them to tests and to consultation and treatment appointments, and they can start, stop and resume the Committee process at any time.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All these rights are grounded in the Patient\u2019s Rights Act and its core principles, in accordance with which the Committee works.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee follows the professional standards accepted worldwide, first and foremost the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpath.org\/soc8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standards of Care<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(SOC 8) published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpath.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WPATH<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). <\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Committee\u2019s guidelines:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The beginning of the process is the date you first contact the Committee coordinator. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You can apply to the Committee for approval for surgeries from age 18.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The amount of time from the application until receiving the Committee\u2019s approval for surgeries will not exceed 12 months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Receiving the Committee\u2019s approval does not require getting any surgeries or other medical procedures done. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You can apply to the Committee to change the gender marker on your I.D from age 16 with approval from all parents. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Receiving the Committee\u2019s approval for surgeries and receiving approval for the gender marker change do not depend on each other.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The track for surgery approval includes approval for changing the gender marker, unless you have requested otherwise.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Taking hormone replacement therapy (hormones and\/or blockers) is not a requirement for the Committee\u2019s approval. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You can begin hormone replacement therapy (HRT) through the Committee endocrinologist, but Committee approval is not required to begin HRT elsewhere, through Kupat Holim doctors or hospitals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Carrying an infectious disease (such as HIV or Hepatitis B or C) does not revoke your right to surgeries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You can have some of the appointments with the social worker \/ psychologist by video call, using the hospital\u2019s online technology and according to the guidelines for its use. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee appointments are recorded in your electronic medical records in accordance with the common regulations in the Israeli public health system and the medical privacy regulations.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can view the information in your medical records through the Sheba hospital website or app.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Committee Process<\/span><\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b> The track for authorizing gender reassignment surgeries (funded by Kupat Holim\/army).<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>A person can apply to this track from age 18. The process lasts about a year: <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">An appointment with the committee psychiatrist, an appointment with the committee endocrinologist (or, alternatively, submitting a medical summary from the past half a year provided by another endocrinology clinic), and appointments with committee specialist doctors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">About 3 appointments with a psychologist or social worker from the Committee (there\u2019s also an option to extend their accompaniment for a longer time).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After all the appointments have happened the Committee reaches a decision about authorizing surgeries, without the applicant\u2019s presence being required. When an official approval is given by the Committee it is sent by email, signed by the Committee chair. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Even before the process is done the applicant receives a document authorizing them to change their gender marker in the population registry and in their I.D. The appointments required for this approval are only the ones outlined in the next paragraph. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b> The track for authorizing gender marker changes in the population registry, I.D and passport,<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>for those who have not had gender reassignment surgeries.<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>A person can apply to this track from age 16 (with parental approval required under age 18). The process lasts several months: <\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">An appointment with a Committee psychologist or social worker, an appointment with the Committee psychiatrist, and an appointment with the Committee endocrinologist (or, alternatively, submitting a medical summary from the past half a year provided by another endocrinology clinic).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Receiving a document which authorizes changing the gender marker in the population registry, I.D and passport. Changing the gender marker and receiving new identifying documents are done at branches of the Population Authority (\u05e8\u05e9\u05d5\u05ea \u05d4\u05d0\u05d5\u05db\u05dc\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9\u05df). <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b> The track for authorizing gender marker changes in the population registry, I.D and passport,<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>for those who have had gender reassignment surgeries without Committee approval (through the public or private health systems or abroad). <br \/>A person can apply to this track at any age. <br \/>  <\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>You can receive a public document for a gender marker change<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by submitting the following documents: <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">A written medical summary by the performing surgeon, in Hebrew or English. If the summary is in another language besides Hebrew or English you must add a certified translation to Hebrew or English as well as a signed affidavit affirming the translation\u2019s accuracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">A signed confirmation from your family doctor that the gender reassignment surgery was performed. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">A signed personal testimony from you that the gender reassignment surgery was performed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Beginning the Committee process<br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">To start the Committee process you must contact the Committee coordinator by phone or email, and she can provide you with a general explanation about the Committee process and how to deal with your Kupat Holim and the hospital regarding administrative issues. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You must tell the coordinator the track you wish to take in the Committee, and add your full name, pronouns, phone number, I.D number, email, and address, as well as a photo of your I.D. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Right from the start you should send the coordinator a medical summary from an endocrinologist, if you have one from the last half a year. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After your initial application, you will be assigned an introductory appointment with a Committee social worker or psychologist, and a letter will be sent to your Kupat Holim or the army confirming the beginning of the Committee process and specifying the required approvals. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After the introductory appointment you will be scheduled for follow-up appointments with the social worker or psychologist, and for appointments with Committee specialist doctors depending on the medical procedures you have requested. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You can choose to delay or stop the Committee process at any time and for any reason, temporarily or forever. In addition, you can continue the Committee process at any time, after a short or long break, by contacting the Committee. <br \/>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You should update the Committee coordinator or the social worker \/ psychologist about any change you decide to make.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You should contact the Committee coordinator, Ziva Margalit, for the following issues:<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Scheduling an initial appointment, additional questions, information about scheduling appointments, getting financial coverage from your Kupat Holim for Committee appointments, getting Committee approvals, and communication with the Committee throughout the process. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"mailto:Ziva.margalit@sheba.health.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ziva.margalit@sheba.health.gov.il<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">03-5302677<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Approvals you can receive from the Committee<br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">\u201cKupat Holim letter\u201d \u2013 this is sent by email at the beginning of the process. It\u2019s a confirmation that you\u2019ve begun the Committee process, including a specification of the appointments you\u2019ll be required to have with certain professionals. You can present this to your Kupat Holim or the army in order to receive financial coverage (Tofes 17 or army budget proofs).  <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Approval of eligibility to get gender reassignment surgeries (this is given at the end of the Committee process).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Approval of eligibility to change your gender marker in the public registry, I.D and passport (this is given at the end of the process required to receive it). <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Which gender reassignment surgeries are included in the Committee\u2019s approval, and can be done with public funding? <br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Genital surgeries \u2013 \u201cbottom surgery\u201d<\/span>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">For trans women and the MtF spectrum \u2013 the surgeries are done in Sheba (Tel Hashomer) hospital, and have also recently been started at the Galil Medical Center in Nahariya and at Rabin (Beilinson) hospital in Petah Tikva.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For trans men and the FtM spectrum \u2013 these surgeries are not performed in Israel at present, and<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%91%d7%99%d7%a6%d7%95%d7%a2-%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%aa%d7%95%d7%97%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%9c%d7%94%d7%aa%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%92%d7%93%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%aa-%d7%91%d7%97%d7%95%d7%9c\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can be done abroad with the Kupat Holim\u2019s funding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Further surgeries which are done at Sheba hospital and major medical centers across the country:<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Chest surgeries \u2013 \u201ctop surgery\u201d: flattening and reshaping of the chest (mastectomy), breast reduction, or breast enlargement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Facial feminization surgeries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Neck feminization surgeries \u2013 adam\u2019s apple flattening.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Removal of internal reproductive organs \u2013 hysterectomy (with or without ovary removal).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Vocal cord feminization surgery \u2013 it is essential to combine this with voice therapist treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appointments with the Committee\u2019s specialist doctors<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">\u05e4\u05d2\u05d9\u05e9\u05d5\u05ea \u05e2\u05dd \u05e8\u05d5\u05e4\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05e8\u05d5\u05e4\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05d5\u05de\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05d7\u05dc\u05e7 \u05de\u05d4\u05d5\u05d5\u05e2\u05d3\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d4\u05ea\u05d0\u05de\u05d4 \u05de\u05d2\u05d3\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">These appointments during the Committee process will be decided on based on the applicant\u2019s personal needs and requested surgeries, as well as Ministry of Health regulations. Therefore, some applicants will meet all of the Committee\u2019s doctors and some won\u2019t.   <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">In accordance with the Ministry of Health\u2019s regulations, each track through the Committee includes meeting the Committee psychiatrist. Usually there will be one appointment, the goals of which are:<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">To make sure that the request matches the tracks through the Committee. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">To check the applicant\u2019s ability to give informed consent to gender reassignment surgeries while understanding the meanings and consequences of the processes. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If any doubts rise about an applicant\u2019s ability to give informed consent, a discussion will be held about this with the applicant in full transparency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">In certain cases the Committee members will ask for a professional opinion from a therapy or aid professional working in a mental health institution or in the community. If you have summaries of treatment or institutionalization, or psychological or psychiatric expert opinions, you should bring them to the Committee appointments. The opinions should address the gender identity and transition process, be up to date (no more than half a year prior to contacting the Committee), and be given by licensed mental health professionals.<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The appointments with the psychiatrist take place in the general psychiatric clinic, separately from the appointments with the other doctors. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next appointments will be with surgeons in the specialties that are relevant to the requested surgeries. All of the doctors are also a part of the Gender Reassignment Clinic at Sheba hospital. Some are members of the Gender Reassignment Committee and some are not. In cases where a doctor is not a member of the Committee, there will be an additional appointment with a surgeon who is a Committee member. For instance, an applicant requesting facial feminization surgery will meet with a senior surgeon from the mouth and jaw department who specializes in these surgeries, and with another surgeon (usually from the plastic surgery field) who is a Committee member.<\/span><br \/>\n<br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fields in which the doctors who perform gender reassignment procedures in Sheba hospital are also Committee members include:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Psychiatry (for all Committee processes)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Endocrinology (for all Committee processes)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Plastic surgery (breast enlargement, chest flattening, and other surgeries)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Urogynecology (genital surgery)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Urology (genital surgery for trans women and the MtF spectrum)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> Gynecology (hysterectomy (with or without ovaries) for trans men and the FtM spectrum)\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Fields in which the doctors who perform gender reassignment procedures in Sheba hospital are not Committee members include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Mouth and jaw surgery (facial feminization)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Ear-nose-throat surgery (neck feminization, vocal feminization)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The goals of the appointments with the surgeons and with the endocrinologist are:<br \/><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Providing medical information about gender reassignment surgeries (each doctor in their field of expertise).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Personal medical consultation (you should prepare any questions you have and information about your medical background, including the relevant medical summaries).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Giving approval that there are no medical obstacles to continue the Committee process and perform the requested surgeries. The sum of these approvals from each doctor allows for the Committee\u2019s final approval.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The appointments with the surgeons will be held at the Sheba hospital outpatient clinics, and they\u2019ll be in a clinic format, that is, all of them in one day (as much as possible). The appointment days are on Wednesdays once every two weeks in the morning hours (keep in mind that there might be a waiting time for the concentrated appointment day). <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appointment forms for these meetings will show up in the Sheba website and app (which you should download in advance), and you can use them to receive the required financial coverage from your Kupat Holim \/ the army. <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You should independently keep track of your appointments. You should update your Committee psychologist \/ social worker and the Committee coordinator about any problems or changes regarding your appointments. <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Accompaniment by a Committee social worker \/ psychologist<br \/><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The accompaniment includes about three appointments, which take place once every few months until receiving the Committee\u2019s decision. It\u2019s possible to have some of these appointments by video (using the Sheba hospital online infrastructure).  <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The first appointment is meant for meeting the social worker or psychologist, with focus placed on the gender reassignment process, information about the Committee procedure, and the social worker \/ psychologist\u2019s assessment of the applicant\u2019s ability to give informed consent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The second appointment is meant for the social worker \/ psychologist to get to know the applicant better, to check their progress in the Committee, and to talk about the needs that arise and whether any changes have come up which need to be assessed or addressed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The third appointment is meant for summing up the process and for emotional preparation for the surgeries. This appointment usually takes place after completing all the other appointments with the relevant Committee members. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Depending on the applicant\u2019s needs or preferences it\u2019s possible to extend the accompaniment by about three more appointments. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The goal of this accompaniment is to provide support and aid in the process, to create a safe space to ask questions about the transition process and gender reassignment, and to give relevant psychosocial information. You should be in touch with the social worker \/ psychologist by email or phone. Regular communication can help advance the process and make sure that your needs are answered in the best possible way. <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>\u05ea\u05d9\u05d0\u05d5\u05dd \u05d5\u05de\u05e2\u05e7\u05d1 \u05d0\u05d7\u05e8 \u05e4\u05d2\u05d9\u05e9\u05d5\u05ea \u05e9\u05e0\u05e7\u05d1\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea \u05d1\u05de\u05e1\u05d2\u05e8\u05ea \u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05da \u05d4\u05d5\u05d5\u05e2\u05d3\u05d4<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appointments with Committee members<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>The Committee social worker \/ psychologist<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 the Committee coordinator schedules the first appointment with the social worker \/ psychologist. The appointment form for this appointment is sent in an email with all the relevant details, as well as a letter to your Kupat Holim confirming the beginning of the Committee process. The following appointments with the social worker \/ psychologist are scheduled between you and them during your meetings, and so will not appear in the online system; you should write them down in your calendar.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Committee doctors<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 after your first appointment with the social worker \/ psychologist, the appointments with the remaining Committee doctors will be scheduled by the Committee coordinator. The Sheba Connect call center sends an automatic SMS when the appointments are scheduled, which includes a link to the appointment forms. Using the appointment forms you can receive the relevant financial coverage you need. <\/span><br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Transgender community representative on the Committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 you can receive a consultation appointment with the community representative, Nina Halevy, about the Committee process or about bottom surgery for trans women and the MtF spectrum, at the Trans Center (Anilevich 62, Tel Aviv Yaffo). You can sign up at the link:  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/calmark.co.il\/p\/dwvwi\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/calmark.co.il\/p\/dwvwi<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Or you can get an appointment with Nina during one of the clinic days, which take place once every two weeks at Sheba hospital, with the help of your Committee social worker \/ psychologist. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Consultation appointments with other doctors who perform gender reassignment surgeries:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Scheduling with Dr. Ran Yahalom of the mouth and jaw department (for facial feminization surgeries) is done by the Committee coordinator (an SMS from the hospital will be sent automatically once the appointment is scheduled). <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Scheduling with Dr. Adi Primov of the ear, nose and throat department (neck feminization and vocal feminization surgeries) can be done on your own by calling the number 03-5303988 (an SMS from the hospital will be sent automatically once the appointment is scheduled). <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Remote \/ online appointments<br \/> <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Some of the appointments with the social worker \/ psychologist can be done remotely by video using the hospital\u2019s Datos system. Shortly before the appointment a link will be sent to your email\/phone, there\u2019s no need to download any app or program for this. <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The appointments with the doctors are only done face-to-face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Tracking appointments<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find information about upcoming appointments, delaying appointments or cancelling appointments at<\/span> <b>the hospital\u2019s general appointments call center<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at 03-5305000. <\/span><br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracking the doctors\u2019 appointments scheduled to take place in a single day (\u2018clinic format), and inquiring about delaying or cancelling one of them, can be done by calling<\/span> <b>the outpatient clinic secretary<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at 03-5303104, extension 8. <\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The locations of Gender Reassignment Committee appointments<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Committee is not situated in one place, and appointments with Committee members are held in different buildings and departments. To get to the right place on time you should pay close attention to the emails and messages you get from the Committee coordinator and from Sheba hospital (by SMS, email, and on the hospital website). <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The appointments with<\/span> <b>the social worker \/ psychologist<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will be held in one of the following places (pay attention to the details in your appointment form as this may change):<\/span><br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Hospitalization building, plastic surgery department (eastern elevators, second floor).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Hospitalization building, outpatient clinics (the corridor near the information station, corridor 3, the room number will appear in your appointment form or you can ask at the reception desk before the corridor; or corridor 4 room 180).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Psychiatry building (social worker \u2013 room 615; psychologist \u2013 room 626).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appointments with the Committee<\/span> <b>psychiatrist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Psychiatry building (room 626).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appointments with the Committee<\/span> <b>endocrinologist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Dr. Liana Tripto, will be held in the hospitalization building at one of the following two locations:<\/span><br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Endocrinology and diabetes institute (main entrance, outpatient clinics wing all the way to the end, second floor).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Outpatient clinics (main entrance, turn left after the information station to the outpatient clinics wing, corridor 3, the room number will appear in your appointment form or you can ask at the reception desk before the corridor).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appointments with the Committee surgeons (Dr. Alon Liran, Dr. Revital Arbel, Dr. Noam Catri) will usually be held in a clinic format (one day for all of the appointments) on Wednesdays once every two weeks, at the following location: <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Outpatient clinics (main entrance, turn left after the information station to the outpatient clinics wing, corridor 3, the room number will appear in your appointment form or you can ask at the reception desk before the corridor).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appointments with an additional Committee surgeon (Dr. Yael Harel):<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Will be decided after the Committee\u2019s approval. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appointments with surgeons who are not Committee members for consultation leading up to surgeries:<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Dr. Adi Primov \u2013 The building of the ear, nose and throat department and head-neck surgeries. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Dr. Ran Yahalom \u2013 outpatient clinics (main entrance, turn left after the information station to the outpatient clinics wing, corridor 3, the room number will appear in your appointment form or you can ask at the reception desk before the corridor).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Bureaucracy and financial coverage<br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">What should you bring to appointments:<br \/> <\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the appointment with the Committee endocrinologist you need to bring an endocrinology summary from the past half a year and a financial coverage approval from your Kupat Holim \/ the army.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should bring the summary to your first appointment with the Committee (with the social worker \/ psychologist), but you can also give it at any point later on in the process. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t have an endocrinology summary, you will have a meeting with the Committee endocrinologist.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have an endocrinology summary, you should forward it to the Committee coordinator or to the Committee social worker \/ psychologist, by email or paper copy. If you\u2019ve already provided this summary and the financial coverage approval you won\u2019t need to come to your meeting with the Committee endocrinologist, as she\u2019ll be able to approve your continued progress through the committee based on your medical summary.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">For an appointment with the social worker \/ psychologist it\u2019s important to bring a professional opinion from an accompanying mental health professional (therapist, social worker, psychiatrist) from the past half a year.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">This opinion can help move things forward towards the Committee\u2019s approval, so if you have one you should already bring it to your first appointment. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t have a professional opinion of this type, you might need to have several appointments with the Committee social worker \/ psychologist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For every appointment with Committee members and Sheba hospital doctors, you must bring a financial coverage approval from your Kupat Holim (Tofes 17) or from the army (budget proofs).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For appointments with the endocrinologist and surgeons you need to bring a separate financial coverage approval for<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">each<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appointment. <\/span><br \/> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For appointments with the psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker you need to bring the relevant coverage \u2018subscription\u2019, or \u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9 (for appointments with mental health professionals each financial coverage is valid for several appointments \u2013 more details further down). The appointment cannot take place without financial coverage. <br \/> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do not have a financial coverage approval you can pay for your appointment on the spot in the clinic. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those in military service cannot give a payment or deposit for appointments. <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You need to forward your coverage approval to the professional you are meeting (doctor, social worker\/psychologist) or to the Committee coordinator, by email or by paper copy, and you need to bring the coverage approval to every appointment. <br \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You need to bring medical documents which include the relevant medical and diagnostic information, so that the Committee members can give you medical advisement that\u2019s based on your medical history; and as preparation for the Committee\u2019s approval. <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should forward these documents to the Committee doctors or to the social worker \/ psychologist or to the Committee coordinator, by email or paper copy, at the appointment or leading up to it. <\/span><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">An explanation of the types of financial coverage and how to obtain them<br \/><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After contacting the Committee by email, you will get a return email from the Committee coordinator with an appointment form for an appointment with a Committee social worker \/ psychologist, and a request for financial coverage for this and other appointments. <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Financial coverage from your Kupat Holim is called Tofes 17 (Form 17), financial coverage from the army is called \u05d0\u05e1\u05de\u05db\u05ea\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e7\u05e6\u05d9\u05d1\u05d9\u05ea (\u2018budget proofs\u2019). <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">During the weeks following your first appointment you will get an SMS from Sheba hospital with a link to the Sheba website. There you will find the appointment forms for appointments with various medical professionals as part of the Committee process (you can download the Sheba Connect app for convenient tracking and management of your appointments and your personal file in the hospital system). <br \/> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You must submit these appointment forms and the request letter to your Kupat Holim or the army in order to receive your financial coverage, and you must make sure to bring the relevant coverage approval to every appointment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please note<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">For appointments with one of the Committee doctors (endocrinologist and surgeons) you must bring a financial coverage approval to every appointment. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">For appointments with the psychiatrist and with the social worker \/ psychologist, you\u2019ll need to ask the Kupat Holim\/army for financial coverage subscriptions (\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9), with each covering several appointments. There are three kinds of subscriptions: <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First you will need a<\/span> <b>\u2018diagnostic subscription\u2019 (\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d1\u05d7\u05d5\u05e0\u05d9)<\/b>, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">code L0771, which covers 2 appointments. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After completing these appointments you will need a<\/span> <b>\u2018short treatment subscription\u2019 (\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9 \u05d8\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5\u05dc\u05d9 \u05e7\u05e6\u05e8)<\/b>, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">code L0773, which covers 6 appointments. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After completing the second set of appointments, in order to continue you will need a<\/span> <b>\u2018long treatment subscription\u2019 (\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9 \u05d8\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05da)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, code L0775, which covers 30 appointments. Usually this won\u2019t be needed, and it\u2019s only used for continued accompaniment for those who want or need it. <\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Kupat Holim representatives in Sheba (Tel Hashomer) hospital<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: you can get help from the Kupat Holim desks on the ground floor of the hospitalization building to print any Tofes 17 that<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has already been approved<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for you by your Kupat Holim. <\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Assistance from Sheba hospital in getting financial coverage from your Kupat Holim: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assistance reaching out to the Kupat Holim to get financial coverage (Tofes 17) for tests, treatments and other medical procedures, and more. This service is intended for Sheba patients who have asked their Kupat Holim for a Tofes 17 and been refused. The service is free.  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Contact:<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">03-5307000<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:zchuyot@sheba.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zchuyot@sheba.gov.il<\/span><\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheba.co.il\/%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%91%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A1%D7%99-17\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information online (in Hebrew)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The end of the process and receiving the Committee\u2019s approval for surgeries <\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After completing all of the relevant appointments with Committee members, the Committee must make a decision about approving surgeries in the following manner: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Once a month the Committee makes a decision regarding a final approval for those who have finished the required appointments. Situations where there are medical problems or where there is a lack of ability to give informed consent, are brought to a discussion. An invitation to the discussion will be sent to the applicant by the Committee coordinator; participating in the discussion is not mandatory.   <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After the Committee gives a positive answer, an official approval for gender reassignment surgeries, signed by the Committee chair, will be sent to you by the Committee coordinator through email. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If the Committee approval is delayed or prevented by one of the Committee members\u2019 medical opinions, or if there\u2019s concern about a lack of ability to give informed consent to surgeries at the present time, a discussion will be held on the matter. This discussion will be in the presence of the Committee members and the applicant, and it will include an explanation of what else is required to receive the approval and how the applicant should proceed, including how they may appeal the Committee\u2019s decision. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If it\u2019s decided that treatment of some kind is required to give a final determination of medical fitness for a particular surgery, you can receive an approval from the Committee that\u2019s contingent on having another appointment with a relevant Committee expert after completing the required treatment. In this case, the Committee can give its approval for other surgeries and for changing the gender marker on your I.D and passport, and the contingent approval will only be for the surgery that has raised medical concerns.  <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appealing the Committee\u2019s decision<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You can appeal the Committee\u2019s decisions by submitting an appeal in writing to the Committee chair. You should add documents from professionals which support your appeal. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After submitting the appeal the Committee will have a new deliberation, and will reach a decision that will be documented in your medical record and delivered within 60 days of the appeal\u2019s submission.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Good practices for proper organization<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The most efficient way to communicate with the Committee is by emailing the Committee coordinator, and the Committee social worker or psychologist who accompanies your process. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appointment forms to appointments with doctors will be sent by an SMS from Sheba hospital and will appear in the Sheba website or app inside the Sheba Connect system. We highly recommend that you download the Sheba app to help manage your appointments. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">All the information about your appointments appears in the appointment forms \u2013 we encourage you to read them closely and to keep them until the appointment. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The meetings with the social worker \/ psychologist will not appear on the website or app and reminders about them will not always be sent by SMS. This is because the Committee coordinator only schedules the first of these, and the social worker \/ psychologist will schedule the remaining ones with you in person during your appointments with them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> For every appointment with a professional you should bring the relevant financial coverage form (full details will be given at the beginning of the Committee process). <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You should track the appointment forms for your appointments, update the Committee if you have not received them and ask for help with this if you need it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">You should organize all of the relevant documents and save them until the process is done.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The service is given at a public hospital, which has long waiting times. You should prepare yourself for the possibility of a long waiting time. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If you have questions about scheduling appointments, financial coverage for Committee appointments or receiving the Committee\u2019s approvals you can contact the Committee coordinator. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact information:<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:Ziva.margalit@sheba.health.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ziva.margalit@sheba.health.gov.il<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 03-5302677<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">If you have questions about anything in the Committee process you can contact the social worker or psychologist accompanying you (for whom you were given your first appointment). Their job is to manage your process through the Committee from its start until the final approval. <\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For help with the clinic days (when you get all of the appointments with Committee doctors in one day; held on Wednesdays once every two weeks), you can contact the coordinators of the LGBTQ health service at Sheba hospital, the nurses Nissim Ovadia Tzaig and Salem Abu Zalef, through the email:<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:lgbtqservice@sheba.health.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lgbtqservice@sheba.health.gov.il<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If necessary you can reach out using the Committee\u2019s main email address:<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:Gender.ReassignmentComitee@sheba.health.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gender.ReassignmentComitee@sheba.health.gov.il<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">To make an appointment for consultation about neck feminization (adam\u2019s apple flattening) and voice feminization you can directly contact the secretary of Dr. Adi Primov of the ear, nose and throat department, at 03-5303988. <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The general phone number of the ear, nose and throat department: 03-5302440. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Continued contact with the Committee after receiving its approval<br \/><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Reaching out with another request<br \/><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">After completing the entire Committee process, you can reach out to it again at any time. You\u2019ll be able to do whatever additional procedures are necessary for the new approval you are asking for, without needing to start the entire Committee process from the beginning.  <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Asking for ongoing accompaniment after receiving the Committee\u2019s approval<br \/> <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Some people wish to continue receiving emotional accompaniment even after getting the Committee\u2019s approval, while waiting for surgeries, recovering, and going through the rehabilitation process (which can take weeks, months, or longer). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> As part of the emotional service the Committee provides there\u2019s an option for an additional three appointments with a Committee social worker \/ psychologist (usually the same one you already met), after getting the Committee\u2019s approval. This can allow for additional preparation for surgery, support, consultation, and more. You can also receive limited accompaniment after surgery, including follow-up talks and help getting in touch with relevant psychosocial and community support systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">It&#8217;s important to get as wide a base of support as possible during this complicated time. If you need closer and more intensive aid, you should reach out to the <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/articles\/%d7%9c%d7%99%d7%95%d7%95%d7%99-%d7%a4%d7%a1%d7%99%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%9c%d7%95%d7%92%d7%99-%d7%a4%d7%a1%d7%99%d7%9b%d7%99%d7%90%d7%98%d7%a8%d7%99-%d7%a1%d7%95%d7%a6%d7%99%d7%90%d7%9c%d7%99-%d7%95%d7%9e\/\">accompaniment, advice and therapy services<\/a> in the community, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%90%d7%a8%d7%92%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%9d\/\">transgender community organizations<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Gender Reassignment Clinic at Sheba hospital<br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Alongside the Gender Reassignment Committee, which functions at the Ministry of Health\u2019s direction, there is a Gender Reassignment Clinic at Sheba hospital which is open to the general public. The clinic\u2019s services are a part of the outpatient clinics and do not depend on the Committee process, aside from those surgeries which require Committee approval.<br \/>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Services you can receive at the clinic: <\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and supervision, at the institute of endocrinology (also called the endocrinology clinic).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Inspection and supervision at the plastic surgery clinic (through the outpatient clinics) following gender reassignment surgeries done at Sheba hospital (post-op).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Consultation and surgery at the plastic surgery clinic (through the outpatient clinics), following complications in surgeries done abroad or through private medical services. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Supervision at the plastic surgery and gynecology clinics (through the outpatient clinics), following surgeries done abroad or through private medical services. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Several appointments with a social worker or psychologist from the Gender Reassignment Clinic leading up to or following gender reassignment surgeries (while waiting for the surgery, during pre-surgery hospitalization, during post-surgery hospitalization, and in the supervision stage in the clinic). This is dependent on the necessity of this aid and on the clinic\u2019s available resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Accompaniment by the coordinators of the LGBTQ service at Sheba hospital, the qualified nurses Salem Abu Zalef and Nissim Ovadia Tzaig. This includes advice and assistance in communicating with the hospital on anything related to the Gender Reassignment Committee and the Gender Reassignment Clinic.  <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Additional services you can receive at the Sheba (Tel Hashomer) hospital<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Fertility preservation for trans people who wish to <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/articles\/%d7%a9%d7%99%d7%9e%d7%95%d7%a8-%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%95%d7%aa\/\">retain their fertility<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheba.co.il\/%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%9B%D7%96_%D7%9C%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%90%D7%94_%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%AA_%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%91%D7%90\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shesek<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 the center for sexual health led by Dr. Noam Catri. It includes a sexual and couples clinic led by Dr. Oriel Cohen-Arkin. <\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheba.co.il\/%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%90%D7%94_%D7%96%D7%99%D7%94%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%AA_%D7%90%D7%99%D7%99%D7%93%D7%A1_%D7%A1%D7%A7%D7%A8_%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%AA_%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%9F\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The HIV AIDS, PREP, PEP and sexually transmitted diseases clinic<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">led by Dr. Itzik Levi. <\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accompaniment by the coordinators of<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheba.co.il\/%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%98%D7%91\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the LGBTQ service<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at Sheba hospital, the qualified nurses Salem Abu Zalef and Nissim Ovadia Tzaig, who are responsible for improving the experience of LGBTQ patients and who provide assistance in communicating with the hospital during visits to the outpatient clinics and hospitalization in various departments. <\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">For any further questions, communication with the Committee and individual questions you can contact: <br \/><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee coordinator at<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:Ziva.margalit@sheba.health.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ziva.margalit@sheba.health.gov.il<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The social worker \/ psychologist who begins accompanying you in the Committee (their contact information will be in the appointment form sent by email).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Gender Reassignment Committee email: <br \/> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"mailto:Gender.ReassignmentComitee@sheba.health.gov.il\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gender.ReassignmentComitee@sheba.health.gov.il<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheba.co.il\/%D7%94%D7%95%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%93%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%AA%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%AA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gender Reassignment Committee at the Sheba hospital website<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Committee members<\/span><\/h1>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Committee chair and psychiatrist \u2013 Dr. Raz Gross<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Committee coordinator \u2013 Ziva Margalit<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Transgender community representative \u2013 Nina Halevy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Endocrinologist \u2013 Dr. Liana Shkolnik-Tripto <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Plastic surgeon (top surgery, MtF bottom surgery and more) \u2013 Dr. Alon Liran<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Urogynecologist surgeon (MtF bottom surgery, treatment and supervision post-op) \u2013 Dr. Revital Arbel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Urologist surgeon \u2013 Dr. Noam Kitrei<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Gynecologist surgeon (hysterectomy and oophorectomy) \u2013 Dr. Yael Harel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Psychologist \u2013 Anat Koziol-Bodik<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Social worker \u2013 Maya Payes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Psychologist \u2013 Ira Kontorovsky<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Regulations and government circulars which regulate various procedures related to the Committee:<br \/><\/span><\/h1>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12.05.2014 &#8211;<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%97%d7%95%d7%96%d7%a8-%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%a0%d7%94%d7%9c-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%90%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%a1-16-2014\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health Administration Circular no. 16\/2014<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. General guidelines on gender reassignment surgeries and on the Committee.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24.03.2014 &#8211;<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%91%d7%99%d7%a6%d7%95%d7%a2-%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%aa%d7%95%d7%97%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%9c%d7%94%d7%aa%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%92%d7%93%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%aa-%d7%91%d7%97%d7%95%d7%9c\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guidelines on gender reassignment surgeries abroad<\/span><\/a>.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Mainly refers to FtM bottom surgery.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29.01.2018 &#8211;<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%a9%d7%99%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%99-%d7%aa%d7%99%d7%a7%d7%95%d7%9f-%d7%a4%d7%a8%d7%98-%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%a9%d7%95%d7%9d-%d7%94%d7%9e%d7%99%d7%9f-%d7%91%d7%9e%d7%a8%d7%a9%d7%9d-%d7%94%d7%90%d7%95%d7%9b%d7%9c\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changing\/correcting the gender marker in the public registry<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(of the Ministry of the Interior).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11.12.2019 &#8211;<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%aa%d7%95%d7%97%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%a0%d7%9c%d7%95%d7%95%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%9c%d7%94%d7%aa%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%94-%d7%9e%d7%92%d7%93%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%aa-%d7%91%d7%a1%d7%9c-%d7%94%d7%91%d7%a8%d7%99\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministry of Health \u2013 surgeries supplementary to gender reassignment in the healthcare basket<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.2.2020 \u2013<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/%d7%97%d7%95%d7%96%d7%a8-%d7%97%d7%98%d7%99%d7%91%d7%aa-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%a4%d7%95%d7%90%d7%94-%d7%90%d7%99%d7%a9%d7%95%d7%a8-%d7%9c%d7%a9%d7%99%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%99-%d7%a1%d7%a2%d7%99%d7%a3-%d7%94%d7%9e\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health Administration circular \u2013 approving change of sex marker in I.D without surgery<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"template":"","source-tyoe":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/9791"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/9791\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"source-tyoe","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transwiki.co.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/source-tyoe?post=9791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}