Ilana Ben-Shahar (MSW) was the national director of social work for the Israel Ministry of Health during 1996-2007. She received an award of excellence for her “years of significant contribution to the public health system and for serving as a model of a social worker carrying out her position with initiative, vision and sensitivity.” Ilana is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Meidaos, the national journal of social workers in Israel.