Dr Josep Figueras awarded Edward Kennedy Health Policy Award

Posted on: 06 September 2024

Last night, the Edward Kennedy Guest Lecture and Health Policy Award hosted by the Centre for Health Policy Management at Trinity College Dublin took place in Regent’s House.  The event included an engaging discussion on health policy followed by the prestigious award ceremony. 

Dr Josep Figueras, founding Director of the EU Observatory on Health Systems and Policies received the award for 2024. Prior to the award presentation he spoke on: 'Getting evidence into policy: a European perspective on the importance of making health systems better'.

Since Dr Figueras founded the EU Observatory over twenty five years ago, he has achieved and continues to achieve great health impacts through the development of evidence based policy and knowledge exchange in Europe and globally. His personal skills of diplomacy, policy insight and leadership are impressive not least through his management of an international, innovative and influential team which uniquely impacts health systems for the better. His outstanding career, achievements and experience in international health policy formulation and evaluation are unparalleled.

 On receiving his award, Dr Figueras said:

“ The success of reforms often hinges less on the quality of their policy content and more on the ability to implement them effectively, which requires a deep understanding of the political economy of health system transformation.

I am deeply honoured to accept this award in recognition of all researchers and policymakers dedicated to closing this evidence policy gap. Their work, though often not recognized by their respective communities, has a major impact on the quality and effectiveness of health policy decision making.”

(L to R) Dr Sara Burke, Director, Centre for Health Policy and Management, Dr Josep Figueras and Professor Steve Thomas, Trinity College Dublin

Steve Thomas, Edward Kennedy Professor of Health Policy and Management, said

"It’s really important to honour those who have had a significant international influence on improved health system design particularly in times of crisis. Dr Josep Figueras has changed the face of health policy in Europe and beyond through his visionary leadership, courage and resilience. We are honoured to present Dr Figueras with the Edward Kennedy Health Policy Award for 2024."

The Centre for Health Policy and Management is Ireland’s leading academic centre  or health systems and policy research and education. Part of its strategy is to provide engagement and dialogue between academics, key health system and policy players, civil society and the public. The Centre hosts events and facilitates national and international dialogue on health system and policy matters as well as ongoing publication of their research findings. 

The Centre is part of the Discipline of Public Health and Primary Care in Trinity’s School of Medicine and yesterday welcomed the first cohort of MSc in Health Policy and Management students.

• Tags:
• Awards and Funding
• Business
• Research