WONCA Past President Awarded Honorary Doctorate
In a momentous event for the WONCA family, the University of Oulu, Finland, recently awarded an honorary doctorate to our immediate past president, Anna Stavdal. This prestigious accolade highlights not only Anna's personal contributions but also the collective efforts and dedication of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and its commitment to general medicine over the decades.
The event took place on Friday, 17th May, underscoring the significant impact that general medicine and primary healthcare have had on global health, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the entire WONCA family.
"The awarding of this honorary doctorate is not just about my work," said Stavdal. "It is about the collective work of many within WONCA over decades. The development and promotion of the value-based foundation of our discipline is the main reason for this honor."
Stavdal’s career exemplifies these values. Having first studied sociology at the University of Oslo before transitioning to medicine, she graduated as a doctor in 1987 and specialized in general medicine in 1999. Since 1989, she has maintained her patient list in Oslo, demonstrating the continuity of care that WONCA champions. Her part-time role at the University of Oslo since 1996 reflects her commitment to education and the dissemination of these core values to future generations of doctors.
Throughout her career, Stavdal has been a vocal advocate for the integral role of general practitioners in the healthcare system. Her tenure as president of WONCA World and her previous leadership roles in WONCA Europe have been marked by significant strides in strengthening primary healthcare. During the pandemic, she served on the WHO Europe Pandemic Commission, contributing to global health policy discussions and highlighting the critical role of primary healthcare during crises.
The honorary doctorate awarded to Stavdal is a prestigious recognition, placing her alongside notable figures such as President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Nobel Prize Winner Professor William G. Kaelin Jr. This honor emphasizes the global importance of the values upheld by WONCA and celebrated through this award.
The University of Oulu emphasized the impact of Stavdal’s work in enhancing continuity in Finnish primary healthcare. Inspired by WONCA’s principles, many areas in Northern Finland have now implemented continuity models, reaffirming the central role of primary healthcare in sustainable health systems.
Stavdal’s honorary doctorate is a collective achievement for WONCA and its members. It is a recognition of the organization’s decades-long commitment to developing and promoting a value-based foundation for general medicine. This honor celebrates the collaborative efforts of countless professionals who have worked to ensure that general practice remains a cornerstone of effective, sustainable healthcare systems worldwide.
As Stavdal herself humbly noted, “I was the lucky one to receive the honor on behalf of us all.” This accolade is a reminder of the power of collective effort and the enduring impact of shared values in the pursuit of better health for all.
For more information about the honorary doctorate and other honorees, please visit the University of Oulu's honorary doctors page.