The IFIC (International Foundation for Integrated Care) Integrated Care Awards recognize advancements in the science, knowledge, and adoption of integrated care policies and practices. The awards are given for high-quality content, originality, and quality of presentation, and are supported by the IFIC.
At the heart of the International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC25), was a powerful message: the future of integrated care lies in real partnerships — with patients, with communities, and with each other. That spirit was fully on display at the ICIC25 Awards Ceremony, hosted on Thursday evening at the stunning Pátio da Galé.
From community-powered innovation to cutting-edge research and transformative workforce programmes, this year’s winners and special mentions captured the depth, diversity, and direction of integrated care around the globe. The conference received 860 abstract submissions, and these winners and special mentions represent the very best of integrated care policy, practice and research from around the world.
The awards were presented by IFIC Chief Executive, Dr Niamh Lennox-Chhugani and IFIC Chairperson, Professor Áine Carroll.
Patient and Caregiver Awards
Winner – Patient and Caregiver Award
135 Building an inclusive workforce for integrated healthcare: the Collaborative Targeted Outreach Programme (CTOP)
Prof Nasreen Ali, University of Bedfordshire, England
CTOP stood out as a bold and compassionate response to the challenge of building a diverse health and social care workforce. Through hands-on outreach and creative engagement, it reached over 650 people from underrepresented communities — not just raising awareness but creating real pathways into caring professions. It is community partnership at its very best.
Runners-Up
- 350 Supporting integrated care in First Nations communities in Canada
Dr Sumeet Sodhi, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Canada
This project deeply honoured Indigenous knowledge and co-created care models rooted in community realities. Its Diabetes Community Health Worker programme offers a model for culturally grounded, sustainable change.
- 561 He Mauri o MyWai – The essence of MyWai
Andrew Terris, New Zealand
MyWai merges cultural values and digital technology to support self-determined wellness journeys for Māori communities. A powerful reminder that integrated care must be grounded in trust and cultural relevance.
Integrated Care Awards
Winner – Integrated Care Award
17 Towards Integrated Care Between Outpatient Services and Hospitals? The French Experience
Naoimie Morize, IRDES, France
This year’s overall winner provided a remarkable analysis of France’s IPEP programme. With over 50 interviews and a layered sociological approach, this research reveals what truly enables integration: shared purpose, local leadership, professional trust, and structural flexibility. It’s a vital contribution to global integrated care research.
Runner-Up – Integrated Care Award
322 My Diabetes My Way: a self-management platform for people living with diabetes
Dr Scott Cunningham, University of Dundee, Scotland
This digital tool gives people living with diabetes control over their care and bridges critical gaps between services. A standout example of how integration and digital empowerment can go hand-in-hand.
Winner – Best Poster Award
663 Your Voice Matters: Harnessing the Experiences and Opinions of Irish Youth and Families
Adele de Vries, HSE Ireland
Through a national survey, young people and families shared real, often difficult stories about healthcare transitions. Their voices are shaping national standards — and setting the stage for better, more human-centred integrated care.
Special Recognition Awards
IJIC Special Recognition Award - Professor Nick Goodwin
Presented by Dr Viktoria Stein
This award recognises Nick’s unparalleled contribution to the science of integrated care in his role as Editor-in-Chief of IJIC and his contributions to the development of the journal over 25 years. As a founding editor of the International Journal of Integrated Care and a leading voice for change, his legacy continues to influence policy and practice around the world and will do for years to come.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Adelaide Belo
Presented by Vanessa Robeiro
For over three decades, Dr. Adelaide Belo has been a tireless champion for person-centred, integrated care in Portugal. Her leadership has shaped policy, inspired professionals, and driven meaningful change across the health system. As Vanessa Robeiro movingly said, “She builds bridges — connecting what was once disconnected: primary care, hospitals, community services, policy and practice. She knows that care must follow the person, not the institution — and she has shown us, time and again, how to make that a reality.” Through her vision and perseverance, including founding PAFIC, Dr. Belo has mobilised a national movement for integrated care. This award honours her extraordinary legacy.
Special Mentions – Celebrating Emerging Excellence
632: Co-Creating Remote Patient Monitoring Dashboards
Rafael Miranda, CEGIST, Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
Awarded for developing a user-centred, collaborative method to build real-time monitoring dashboards. This approach enhances transparency, engagement, and system learning — essential elements in scaling up digital care.
365: Trusted Professional Multi-Agency Transitions for Young People Facing Multiple Disadvantage
Gemma Doyle, Changing Futures Plymouth / The Zone / NIHR, England
Recognized for an extraordinary co-produced model that builds trust with vulnerable youth transitioning into adult services, offering trauma-informed continuity across sectors.
627: An Integrated Approach to Trauma Care
Dr. Aoife Murray (Presented by Adrian Sheehan), Cork University Hospital, Ireland
This presentation highlighted how multidisciplinary coordination within a major trauma centre can accelerate recovery and improve outcomes, demonstrating integrated care at its most urgent.
508: Integration? It’s Differentiation! Leveraging Diversity for Effective Integrated Care Networks
Nick Zonneveld, Tilburg University, Netherlands
Commended for advancing theory and practice by showing how task diversity and value alignment can together power more effective care networks.
434: A Guide for Implementing Health and Social Care Integration: A Proposal
Dr. Maria Pueyo Sánchez, La Unió, Spain
Praised for delivering a practical, consensus-based tool that supports system-wide change through leadership, shared governance, and workforce empowerment.
526: Internal Medicine 2 Discharge Planning Team
Tiago Serra, Unidade Local de Saúde Amadora/Sintra, Portugal
This innovative discharge planning project reduces hospital length of stay while improving patient flow and care continuity — a model for safe and efficient transitions.
331: Stakeholders' Perspectives on the Barriers and Facilitators for Integrated Primary Care for Cardiometabolic Disease in Kenya
Elvis Wambiya, University of Sheffield, England
Acknowledged for addressing implementation realities in LMICs and highlighting context-specific solutions to chronic disease management in primary care.
The ICIC25 Awards remind us that integrated care is not a fixed destination — it’s a dynamic journey led by people who are passionate, creative, and committed. Congratulations to all the winners and honourees. Your work inspires and drives us all forward.
Here’s to another year of connection, collaboration, and care.