2003 IFMBE and IUPESM Awards

The International Union for Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine (IUPESM) awards two experts with the IUPESM Award of Merit: one expert from the field of biomedical engineering and another from the field of medical physics for making a significant impact on the science and practice of biomedical engineering, having a major influence on the development of the profession, and undertaking meritorious activities in national and/or international organisations.

At the Opening Ceremony of the World Congress in Sydney this year, the IUPESM Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine were presented to:
Professor Robert M. Nerem and Professor Colin G. Orton.
Though it is very difficult to describe the whole opus of the awardees in only a few pages, their short biographies will introduce them to those readers who are not familiar with their work.

The International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering presents (triennially) at the World Congress, two awards. The Vladimir K. Zworykin Award, named in honor of the founder of the Federation, was this year awarded to Professor Åke Öberg for Outstanding Research Contributions in the Field of Medical and Biological Engineering.
The Otto Schmitt Award, also presented by the Federation triennially at the World Congress, was presented to Professor Basil S. Proimos for Exceptional Contributions to the Advancement of the Field of Medical and Biological Engineering.

The IFMBE General Assembly has elected three distinguished members of the biomedical engineering community as Honorary Life Members:
professors Fumihiko Kajiya, Richard Kirsner and Niilo Saranummi.

Prof. Günther Rau (on behalf of the International Academy for Medical and Biological Engineering) presented the new fellows elected in the period between the two World congresses. Membership in the IAMBE is a special honor and responsibility, because the aim of the Academy is to conduct programs which will serve to encourage young people entering the field and to take a degree of responsibilty for their development in the early stages of their career.

At the General Assembly, Dov Jaron (at that time still in the capacity IFMBE President) took the opportunity to honor the former IFMBE presidents, Nandor Richter, Robert M. Nerem, Niilo Saranummi, Fumihiko Kajiya and Jean-Pierre Morucci for their achievements and presented to each of them a specially designed plaque. After the presentation of the results of the IFMBE elections, the new IFMBE President, Joachim Nagel, expressed on behalf of the Federation gratitude to the Past-President, Dov Jaron, for his faithful work and achievements for the Federation during his term of office, from 2000 to 2003.

Congratulations and thank you!