Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,Harvard University
Notable works
Meta-leadership,disaster medicine
Isaac Ashkenazi (born April 2,1957) is an Israeli physician,life saver,disaster management specialist,ophthalmic surgeon,professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,and a colonel (res.) in the HFC of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Ashkenazi is considered a world expert in disaster management,emergency preparedness,crisis leadership,and humanitarian response.[1]
Ashkenazi was born in Israel in 1957. He earned his medical degree (MD) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1982,graduating with highest distinction. His doctoral dissertation examined the physiological effects of extended physical exertion in soldiers,titled "The Influence of a Continuous 110 km March with a 20 kg Backpack Load on Renal Function and Other Laboratory Parameters in Healthy Young Soldiers."
Ashkenazi completed his specialization in ophthalmology at Sheba Medical Center between 1987-1991 and received a Master of Science (MSc) in Ophthalmology from Tel Aviv University with highest distinction,where his thesis focused on monitoring of intraocular pressure,titled "Direct Intraoperative Continuous Monitoring of Intra-Ocular Pressure During Extra-Ocular Manipulations and Intraocular Surgery."
Ashkenazi has published over 200 scientific articles on disaster management,medical preparedness for emergencies,response to terrorist attacks,and crisis leadership.[3] He has lectured as an expert on six continents.
Scientific contributions and theories
The Five Dimensions of Leadership Model (1987)
Ashkenazi developed a theoretical framework for crisis leadership addressing five interconnected dimensions:
Leading self (self-management)
Leading the situation (situational analysis)
Leading down (managing subordinates)
Leading across (coordination with parallel organizations)
Leading up (influencing superiors)
This model is widely used in leadership training programs for disaster management professionals worldwide.
The Three Brains Theory
Ashkenazi’s “Three Brains”model [4] categorizes brain behavior during crises into:
Upper brain:creative and innovative thinking
Middle brain:routine operations and memory storage
Lower brain ("The Basement"):primitive survival functions
The theory suggests that during crises,people "fall into the mental basement",impairing their ability for rational and creative thinking. This understanding provides a basis for developing effective methods for leaders to function in emergency and high-stress situations.
The "Immediate Responders" concept
Ashkenazi was first to identify and define the crucial role of bystanders ("Immediate Responders") in saving lives during disaster events.[5] This concept distinguishes between "Immediate Responders" - ordinary citizens present at the scene,and "First Responders" - official emergency personnel who arrive later. His work in this area has fundamentally changed how civilian populations are incorporated in disaster preparedness planning worldwide.
Humanitarian missions
Ashkenazi in rescue efforts in 1999 in Izmit,Turkey
Ashkenazi has led and managed numerous international humanitarian aid missions:
Gold medal for distinction from the IDF Officers School (1983)
Personal life
Ashkenazi is married to Rachel and has three children:Rotem,Dor,and Maor,and three grandchildren:Or,Guy,and Noam. He speaks Hebrew (native),English,and Spanish fluently.
Selected publications
Ashkenazi,I. (2011). "Preparedness and Response to a Mass Casualty Event Resulting from Terrorist Use of Explosives." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marcus,L.J.,Ashkenazi,I.,Dorn,B.,&Henderson,J. (2008). "Meta-leadership:Expanding the scope and scale of public health." Leadership in Public Health,8(1&2).
Ashkenazi,I.,McNulty,E.,Marcus,L.,Dorn,B.C. (2012). "The Role of Bystanders in Mass Casualty Events:Lessons from the 2010 Haiti Earthquake." Journal of Defense Studies &Resource Management.
Ashkenazi,I.,Hunt,R. (2019). "You're It—You've Got to Save Someone:Immediate Responders,Not Bystanders." Frontiers in Public Health,7.
Rapaport,C.,Ashkenazi,I. (2021). "Why Does Israel Lead the World in COVID-19 Vaccinations? Applying Mass Casualty Event Principles to COVID-19 Vaccination Programs." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,18(10),5362.[8]
↑Marcus, L.J., Ashkenazi, I., Dorn, B., & Henderson, J. (2008). "Meta-leadership: Expanding the scope and scale of public health." Leadership in Public Health, 8(1&2).
↑Ashkenazi, I. (2011). "Preparedness and Response to a Mass Casualty Event Resulting from Terrorist Use of Explosives." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
↑Ashkenazi, I., Marcus, L., Dorn, B. (2009). "Leadership success paradox: Avoiding the traps." Crisis Response Journal, 5(2).
↑Ashkenazi, I., Hunt, R. (2019). "You're It—You've Got to Save Someone: Immediate Responders, Not Bystanders." Frontiers in Public Health, 7.
↑Lin, L., Ashkenazi, I., Dorn, C.B., Savoia, E. (2014). "The public health system response to the 2008 Sichuan province earthquake: a literature review and interviews." Disasters, 38(4), 753-773.
↑Roy, N., Kapil, V., Subbarao, I., Ashkenazi, I. (2011). "Mass Casualty Response in the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks." Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.
↑Rapaport, C., Ashkenazi, I. (2021). "Why Does Israel Lead the World in COVID-19 Vaccinations? Applying Mass Casualty Event Principles to COVID-19 Vaccination Programs." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5362.
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