Editor’s Preface: Strengthening the Heart of Primary Care ✍️
We are pleased to share with you the February 2026 edition of the WONCA Europe Newsletter, bringing you the latest updates from across our vibrant and resilient community. 🇪🇺
🌟 Featured Highlight: A Legacy of Evidence-Based Prevention We are thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Dr. Carlos Brotons, a foundational figure in European cardiovascular prevention. As we look ahead to the Madrid 2026 Forum, Dr. Brotons reflects on the journey from the early days of EUROPREV in 1996 to the cutting-edge, personalized risk assessments of today. 🩺✨
🏛️ Advocacy at the Highest Level This month marked a significant step in our policy engagement. Representing the WONCA Europe Executive Board, our Honorary Treasurer Prof. Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu participated in a high-level debate at the European Parliament on “Empowering the Health Workforce in the Age of AI.” We reinforced the message that while AI is a powerful enabler, the human relationship and continuity of care remain the non-negotiable pillars of Family Medicine. 🇪🇺🤖
Furthermore, WONCA Europe championed the primary care voice at the recent EMA Joint Working Party meeting, ensuring that the frontline experience of family doctors shapes European pharmaceutical and health standards. 🏛️🗣️
🏆 Celebrating Excellence We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu, who was recently awarded the Honorary Emblem of the Romanian Defence Staff. This prestigious distinction recognizes her professional excellence and academic dedication, reflecting the high caliber of leadership within our organization. 🎖️
🩺 Strengthening the Workforce In this issue, we also feature a timely interview with Dr. Andrée Rochfort regarding the upcoming EQuiP Conference in Krakow (May 21–23, 2026). Her insights on physician well-being and the “Quadruple Aim” serve as a vital reminder that the health of our system depends on the health of our doctors.
🌐 Insights from our Networks & Projects This edition provides a comprehensive look at the diverse activities across our community:
EYFDM Milestone: The 10th EYFDM Forum in Tallinn 🇪🇪 sets new records for engagement among our young family doctors. 🏆
Historical Insights: Explore the evolution of the WONCA Tree 🌳 from an early concept to a global icon of family medicine.
Collaborative Projects: Highlights from the Social Prescribing-Europe (SP-EU) General Assembly 🤝🌐 and a review of the Executive Board’s progress from our meeting on February 2nd. 📊✅
Opportunities for Growth: Discover the EQuiP Conference Keynote Concept Competition 🎓 and new leadership calls within EURIPA. 💼
Ioanna Tsiligianni, President-elect Jose M Bueno, EQuiP Member-at-large WONCA Europe Newsletter Editors
President’s Corner
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
One year back we emphasised in our newsletter the importance of strengthening the political visibility of family medicine at the European level. One year later, we are seeing tangible progress. Primary care is increasingly recognised in EU discussions on health system resilience, digital transformation, and workforce sustainability. This growing attention is encouraging — but it also reminds us that recognition must translate into structural support, investment, and concrete action.
In this context, WONCA Europe continues to strengthen its role as an advocate, a scientific network, and a unifying platform for our member organisations. A key priority this year is our active engagement in EU-funded projects. Through these collaborations, we ensure that the voice of family medicine is present in European research, innovation, and policy development. Our participation not only contributes expertise from frontline primary care, but also creates opportunities for our members to shape the future of healthcare across Europe.
Another highlight of 2026 will be the upcoming WONCA Europe Congress in Paris. This congress will be more than a scientific meeting — it will be a space for exchange, inspiration, and professional solidarity. I warmly encourage you to participate actively, contribute your research and experience, and engage in discussions that will define the next steps for our discipline.
The strength of WONCA Europe lies in its members. Your daily work, your research, and your advocacy give meaning and impact to our shared mission. Together, we continue to shape a strong, visible, and future-oriented family medicine in Europe.
With warm regards,
Warm regards,
Thomas Frese
President, WONCA Europe
News
The history of the WONCA Tree: From early ideas to an icon of family medicine
This month we have a fascinating interview with Dr Ueli Grueninger, who designed the Wonca Tree. In the interview, Ueli discussed the start of the Wonca tree idea and how it has developed over time, including reflections on its relevance to us as…
A Milestone in Tallinn: The 10th EYFDM Forum Sets New Records
Young Family Doctors gather in Estonia for the largest, most digitally-forward forum to date. On the last 2 days of January, the 10th EYFDM Forum took place in Tallinn. This meeting is organised by and for young family doctors as a…
Keynote Spotlight: Dr. Iona Heath on the “Medical Industrial Complex” and the Future of Prevention
As the EUROPREV Forum 2026 approaches in Madrid, one of primary care’s most provocative voices prepares to challenge the status quo of industrialized medicine. The EUROPREV Forum 2026 (Madrid, March 26–27) is honored to welcome…
EQuiP Krakow 2026 Interview: Dr. Andrée Rochfort on Strengthening the Heart of Primary Care: Well-being and Resilience in Family Physician
Sustaining the Workforce: Lessons from the Doctors’ Health & Wellbeing Programme Published on 02/02/2026 Dr. Andrée Rochfort is a defining voice for the health and sustainability of the medical workforce in Europe. As…
WONCA Europe Treasurer Prof. Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu Awarded the Honorary Emblem of the Romanian Defence Staff
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – In a significant recognition of professional excellence and academic dedication, Professor Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu, MD, PhD, the Honorary Treasurer of WONCA Europe, has been awarded the Honorary Emblem of the…
WONCA Europe at the European Parliament: Empowering the Health Workforce in the Age of AI 🇪🇺🤖
Brussels, 25 February 2026 — Representing the WONCA Europe Executive Board, our Honorary Treasurer, Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu, participated in the high-level policy debate “Empowering the Health Workforce in the Age of AI”…
From 1996 to Madrid 2026: Building a Legacy of Evidence-Based Prevention with Carlos Brotons
Carlos Brotons is a cornerstone of cardiovascular prevention in Europe. A driving force behind Spain’s PAPPS and the first coordinator of EUROPREV, he has spent decades ensuring that Family Medicine has a seat at the table when European…
The WONCA Europe Executive Board met online on February 2nd to review progress across key strategic, operational, and financial areas.
The Board received updates on international activities, upcoming conferences, and engagement with global partners. Planning for future WONCA Europe congresses continued, with progress noted for Paris 2026, Ljubljana 2027, and preliminary…
Participation of WONCA Europe in the SP-EU (Social Prescribing-Europe) Project 2nd General Assembly meeting
The Social Prescribing–EU (SP-EU) project (https://social-prescribing.eu/) continues to advance collaboration across Europe to strengthen the evidence base and implementation of social prescribing within health and community care…
Call for Applications EURIPA (a WONCA Europe Network) is seeking a new Administrative Secretary
EURIPA – the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association – is seeking a new Administrative Secretary to support its Executive Committee and activities across Europe. This is a flexible, part-time, freelance position…
Call for Young Family Doctors: 68th EQUIP Conference Keynote Concept Competition
The Organising Committee of the 68th EQuiP Conference is pleased to invite early-career family doctors to take part in a special competition. The winner will be invited to deliver a keynote speech at the conference, addressing the expectations of…
WONCA Europe Champions Primary Care Voice at EMA Joint Working Party Meeting
WONCA Europe continues to play a pivotal role in shaping EU medicines policy, recently participating in the joint meeting of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party (PCWP) and the Healthcare…
2026 European Forum on Prevention and Primary Care
26-27 March 2026, Madrid, Spain
4th EURACT Medical Education Conference
23-25 April 2026, Iasi, Romania
3rd CaReMeLO Conference
8-9 May 2026, Munich, Germany & Online
102nd EGPRN Meeting
14-17 May 2026, Verona, Italy
68th EQuiP Conference
21-23 May 2026, Kraków, Poland
13th IPCRG World Conference
11-14 June 2026,
30th WONCA Europe Conference
30 June – 3 July 2026, Paris, France
35th Janko Kersnik International EURACT Bled Course
23-26 September 2026, Bled, Slovenia
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