Maccabi
Maccabi Healthcare Services
Consultations at the Haifa and Kiryat Ata clinics, booked mainly through *3555. In some cases remote appointments may be available.
Dr. Rima Shalom Suchotnik, MD PhD
Board-certified in Gastroenterology (since 2013), Nephrology & Hypertension, and Internal Medicine.
License no. 33707/1 | Adults only (18+).
Gastroenterology
Nephrology
Internal Medicine
Neurogastroenterology
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Hebrew • English • Russian
Professional Background & Public Roles
Senior physician at the Gastroenterology Institute, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa. Previously worked at Rambam Health Care Campus. At Carmel she leads the neurogastroenterology clinic and is responsible for GI motility assessment, including esophageal and anorectal manometry.
Her clinical work focuses on evaluation, consultation and follow-up for patients with functional symptoms, bowel disorders and endoscopic procedures performed according to clinical indications.
Education, Training & Teaching
- Dual degree holder: MD and PhD.
- Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Carmel Medical Center.
- Fellowship in Nephrology and Hypertension, Carmel Hospital.
- Residency in Internal Medicine, Emek Medical Center.
- Clinical instructor for Technion medical students, OSCE examiner, and recipient of the “Outstanding Lecturer” award multiple times.
- For over a decade she led the physician assistant training program in the Carmel emergency department.
My Clinical Approach
“It is always better to be examined when there is a real concern than to avoid evaluation altogether. Over the years I have repeatedly seen how early attention can prevent unnecessary deterioration. My role is to help patients identify important warning signs, avoid delayed care, and receive thoughtful, practical guidance with respect and clarity.”
🚨 When should you seek urgent care instead of waiting for a clinic appointment?
If any of the following symptoms are present, do not wait for an outpatient consultation. Go to the emergency room or call emergency services:
- Severe, unusual or sudden abdominal pain that does not improve.
- Vomiting blood or dark brown/black vomit.
- Black tarry stools or significant rectal bleeding.
- High fever with chills and abdominal pain.
Areas of Expertise & Procedures
Clinical Assessment & Management
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
- Reflux, dyspepsia and swallowing difficulties.
- Chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea and IBS.
- Liver disease follow-up and combined nephrology/internal medicine consultation.
- Early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.
Endoscopic Procedures
- Gastroscopy.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy, including polyp removal.
- Sigmoidoscopy.
- Esophageal manometry and anorectal manometry.
Professional Membership
Member of the Israeli Society of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases.
HMOs, Insurance & Coverage
Availability depends on the clinic, the HMO, and the specific service. This section is intended to give a quick, practical overview before scheduling.
Meuhedet
Meuhedet
Gastroenterology consultation at the Haifa and Kiryat Ata clinics. Scheduling is handled through *3833 or according to HMO instructions.
Clalit
Clalit
Patients are seen at Lin Medical Center in Haifa. Booking is handled through *2700 and according to HMO eligibility.
Private
Private consultation
In some cases private consultations may be arranged, with reimbursement depending on the patient’s private insurance policy terms.
Co-payments, referrals, Form 17 commitments and reimbursement options may vary according to the HMO, the service requested and the insurance track.
Clinic Locations & Availability
Services are intended for adults over the age of 18. Availability, contact details and co-payments may change according to the HMO and service type.
Carmel Medical Center — Gastroenterology Institute, Haifa (7 Michal St.)
Appointments are scheduled through the secretariat of the Gastroenterology Institute.
Institute phone: 04-8250356 (Sun–Thu, 08:00–15:00), or via the Clalit call center *2700.
Dr. Suchotnik is a senior physician at the institute, leading the neurogastroenterology clinic and GI motility assessment (esophageal and anorectal manometry).
Accessibility: Carmel Medical Center is accessible to people with disabilities, including parking, elevators and accessible restrooms.
Maccabi / Meuhedet — Haifa (7 Yigal Alon St.)
Maccabi: Booking via *3555 or direct clinic phone 04-8123280.
Estimated clinic hours: Tuesdays, 12:30-16:30. In some cases a remote visit may be available.
Meuhedet: Gastroenterology consultation only. Booking via *3833 or 073-2417311.
Estimated clinic hours: Mondays, 08:00-12:00, once a month.
Accessibility: Accessible building, elevator access and accessible restroom on site.
Maccabi / Meuhedet — Kiryat Ata (82 HaAtzmaut St.)
Maccabi: Booking via *3555.
Estimated clinic hours: Tuesdays, 08:00-12:00, three times per month.
Meuhedet: Gastroenterology consultation. Booking via *3833.
Accessibility: Wheelchair access, elevator and accessible restroom.
Clalit — Lin Medical Center, Haifa (37 James de Rothschild Blvd.)
Appointments are booked through Clalit at *2700.
Accessibility: Fully accessible medical center with disabled parking, ramps and accessible facilities.
Medica Elisha Hospital, Haifa (12 Yair Katz St.)
Coordination is done through the gastroenterology institute. Direct hospital phone numbers: 04-8300000 or *2323.
Accessibility: Accessible hospital campus, parking and wide access routes.
Assuta Haifa — anoscopic procedures
Anoscopic procedures for Maccabi and Leumit patients, by prior arrangement and subject to eligibility and referral.
Accessibility: The medical center is accessible to people with disabilities.
Best Medica — Hadera
Patients seen by prior arrangement.
Before Your Visit: What to Bring & What to Know
What should you bring?
- Identification and your HMO card.
- Referral letter, if required.
- Valid Form 17 commitment, if required by your HMO.
- Updated medication list.
- Recent blood tests, imaging or prior endoscopy reports if relevant.
Personal instructions and documents
Preparation instructions, consent forms and additional documents are given according to the type of consultation or procedure being scheduled.
It is recommended to confirm in advance which documents are required for your specific visit or test.
General Instructions Before and After Procedures
Before colonoscopy
- Low-fiber diet according to the clinic or institute instructions.
- Bowel preparation medication according to prescription.
- An escort is recommended if sedation is used.
Before gastroscopy
- Fasting according to instructions, usually 6-8 hours.
- Update the team regarding regular medications, especially anticoagulants or diabetes treatment.
After the procedure
- Rest for several hours if sedation was given.
- Monitor for unusual pain, significant bleeding or other concerning symptoms and follow the instructions provided by the clinic.
Important note
- These instructions do not replace the formal instructions given by the relevant clinic or endoscopy unit.
- Always review the official written instructions you receive when booking the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Appointments & scheduling
Which HMOs are accepted?
Patients may be seen through Maccabi, Meuhedet and Clalit (Lin Medical Center), depending on eligibility, clinic location and service type.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Appointments are usually scheduled through the HMO booking centers: Maccabi *3555, Clalit *2700 and Meuhedet *3833. In selected settings, direct coordination with the clinic or institute may also be available.
Do I need a referral?
This depends on the HMO, the requested service and the insurance track. It is recommended to confirm in advance whether both a referral and Form 17 are required.
Visit & procedure preparation
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring identification, HMO card, referral if required, Form 17 if required, an updated medication list and any relevant recent test results.
What is colonoscopy used for and when is it recommended?
Colonoscopy is used to examine the large intestine, detect inflammation or polyps and remove polyps during the same procedure. It is commonly recommended for screening and in cases such as bleeding, anemia or persistent bowel habit changes.
Insurance & reimbursement
Can I book a private consultation and receive reimbursement?
In some cases yes. Reimbursement depends on the patient’s private insurance policy.
After a procedure
What should I know after a sedated procedure?
Rest is recommended, driving should be avoided for the rest of the day, and the written instructions provided by the clinic should be followed carefully.
When to seek urgent help
In which cases should I go straight to emergency care?
Go directly to urgent care in case of severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black stools, significant rectal bleeding, fever with abdominal pain or marked weakness.
Media, Professional Links & Updates
A single, practical hub for patient-facing guides, professional links and scientific activity.
Patient guides & educational resources
Quick access to practical preparation instructions, post-procedure guidance and the most common patient questions.
Research, societies & academic activity
Selected research interests, professional affiliation and external links for continued reading in gastroenterology.
Conferences, Lectures & Academic Events
A moving visual strip for conference participation, lectures, posters and professional meetings.
The Annual Gastroenterology Conference 2018
The Annual Gastroenterology Conference 2019
The Annual Gastroenterology Conference 2019 Semi-Annual
The Annual Gastroenterology Conference 2020
The Annual Gastroenterology Conference 2024
The Annual Gastroenterology Conference 2025
Professional Certificates & Credentials
Professional certificates, training and formal credentials.
Professional certificate
Professional certificate
Professional certificate
Professional certificate
Thank-You Letters From Patients
Selected appreciation letters and written feedback from patients.
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Thank-You Letters From Students
Selected appreciation notes from medical students about teaching, guidance and mentorship.
Student thank-you letter
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Selected Scientific Activity & Research
- Sohotnik R, Nativ O, Abbasi A, et al. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition attenuates early renal ischemia–reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury: assessment by quantitative measurement of urinary NGAL and KIM-1. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 2013. — doi.org
- Abassi Z, Shalabi A, Sohotnik R, et al. Urinary NGAL and KIM-1: biomarkers for assessment of acute ischemic kidney injury following nephron-sparing surgery. The Journal of Urology, 2013. — PubMed
- Sukhotnik I, Starikov A, Coran AG, Pollak Y, Sohotnik R, Shaoul R. Effect of ozone on intestinal epithelial homeostasis in a rat model. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 2015. — rmmj.org.il
- Sukhotnik I (ed.), incl. Sohotnik R. Short Bowel Syndrome in Children: Current Practice and Future Perspectives (book chapter). Nova Science Publishers, 2013. — novapublishers.com
Selected peer-reviewed publications co-authored by Dr. Rima Suchotnik (listed in publications under the transliteration Sohotnik / Suchotnik). A complete list is available in the doctor’s research profile.
Additional sources & links
- Lee EH, et al. The renoprotective effects of tadalafil on ischemia–reperfusion injury during partial nephrectomy in an animal model. BMC Nephrology, 2025. — doi.org
- Thieme M, et al. Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition ameliorates angiotensin II-dependent hypertension and renal vascular dysfunction. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 2017. — doi.org
- ERA-EDTA Congress abstract supplement (author index). Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation — Oxford Academic, 2013. — academic.oup.com
- Prof. Zaid Abassi — research profile. Academia.edu — Technion. — academia.edu
- Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) — topic collection. Science.gov. — science.gov
- Anti-Musashi 1 / Msi1 antibody [EP1302] — research reagent. Abcam. — abcam.com
- Dr. Arnold G. Coran, MD — profile. U.S. News Health. — usnews.com
Additional links and sources within Dr. Suchotnik’s research and professional areas.
When should you see a gastroenterologist?
- Blood in the stool or a persistent change in bowel habits.
- Unexplained weight loss, anemia or unusual fatigue.
- Persistent abdominal pain, marked bloating or recurrent vomiting.
- Ongoing reflux symptoms, difficulty swallowing or persistent throat irritation.
This is general information and not a substitute for an individual medical assessment.
Medical Glossary — Brief Explanations
Manometry
A pressure and motility test of the esophagus or rectum used to assess motility disorders.
IBD — Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A group of chronic inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that require specialist assessment and follow-up.
Dyspepsia
Upper abdominal discomfort, pain, bloating or nausea, often without a clear structural cause.
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