Every ESRA Annual Meeting is more than a scientific gathering. It is a stage where excellence is recognised, where legacies are honoured, and where the torch of innovation is passed forward. The 2025 Awards brought to light individuals whose contributions illuminate the path of regional anaesthesia and pain medicine. At the same time, ESRA announced the 2026 awardees.
2025 Awardees — Inspiring Figures of Today
Carl Koller Award 2025 For a lifetime of breaking barriers in Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine André Van Zundert Professor and Chair of Anaesthesiology at the University of Queensland. A renowned leader in airway management, obstetric anaesthesia, and regional blocks, Van Zundert’s career reflects decades of dedication to advancing safe and effective practice across the globe. Van Zundert, with his lifetime of translating science into bedside practice, has shown us that even the most familiar clinical frontiers can be reimagined with persistence and insight.
Albert Van Steenberge Award 2025 Best Paper in Regional Anaesthesia Rachel J. Kearns et al. Paper: “Epidural analgesia during labour and severe maternal morbidity: population-based study” (BMJ 2024) Consultant anaesthetist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Rachel Kearns bridges clinical anaesthesia and population health. Kearns et al. transformed a vast maternal dataset into a resounding call for safer labour analgesia, her BMJ study demonstrating that epidurals are associated with a 35% reduction in severe maternal morbidity. Her work shows how maternal interventions shape outcomes across generations — a paper worth reading and exploring.
Rita Levi-Montalcini ESRA Award 2025 Best Chronic Pain Paper Jan W. Kallewaard and colleagues Paper: “European randomized controlled trial evaluating differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation vs conventional medical management in subjects with persistent back pain ineligible for spine surgery: 24-month results”(EJP 2024) Kallewaard et al are driving neuromodulation into the future, offering hope for patients where standard therapies have failed.
Bruce Scott Award 2025 Recognition of Education in Regional Anaesthesia Nuala Lucas and Peter Merjavy
Menno Sluijter Award 2025 Recognition of Education in Pain Medicine Samer Narouze An internationally recognised leader in interventional pain medicine, Narouze has pioneered advances in neuromodulation and interventional techniques, shaping not only clinical practice but also education in chronic pain worldwide.
2026 Awardees — A Glimpse Into the Future
These awardees are not defined by medals or plaques — they are visionaries who challenge boundaries and redefine what is possible in our field. Together, they remind us that awards are not endpoints, but milestones in a journey of innovation, inspiration, and service to humanity.
We treat your personal data with care, view our privacy notice.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
