In this newsletter, we’re proud to present Snapshot 2024, a quick overview of our achievements in 2024. For a fuller picture of all our regional and global initiatives, please also explore the newly published Annual Report 2024, which delves into the details behind each milestone.You’ll also learn about the Atai Omoruto Scholarship Award, which supports African women family physicians, and how you can donate to continue Atai’s inspiring legacy. In just three weeks, our first regional conference of the year kicks off at WONCA SAR 2025, and we have important deadlines for upcoming awards, along with the latest updates on WONCA World Conference 2025 in Lisbon. We also encourage you to complete our short membership survey to help us better serve you, and explore our upcoming webinars covering key topics in family medicine. Thank you for being part of our global community.
WONCA NEWS
ATAI OMORUTO SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: Applications are now open for the Dr Atai Anne Deborah Omoruto Scholarship Award, established to honour the life and legacy of Dr Atai Omoruto, a Ugandan family doctor renowned for her leadership in family medicine, her advocacy for women’s health, and her courageous service during the Ebola crisis in West Africa. The scholarship supports African women family physicians and family medicine residents who face financial challenges attending the WONCA World Conference. Eligible candidates are African women physicians or residents demonstrating leadership, commitment to women’s health, or clinical courage caring for vulnerable groups. Deadline to apply: 31 March 2025. Apply here.
Remembering a Cherished Colleague: Dr Atai Anne Deborah Omoruto was a deeply respected and cherished member of the WONCA community. She was instrumental in establishing family medicine education in Uganda, served as the founding president of the Association of Family Physicians of Uganda, and led the Family Medicine Department at Makerere University. Atai actively contributed to WONCA through her role as an executive member of the WONCA Working Party on Women and Family Medicine, passionately advocating for women’s leadership in healthcare globally. In recognition of her remarkable service, including her leadership during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Atai was awarded the prestigious WONCA Global Five Star Doctor Award in 2016.
“Atai has shown us all the extraordinary contributions that family doctors can make. She is one of my personal all-time heroes of family medicine.” —Dr Michael Kidd, Past-President of WONCA.
Supporting Atai’s Legacy: WONCA needs your help to support the Dr Atai Omoruto Scholarship Fund. Your contributions help ensure that African women family physicians can attend international conferences, gain valuable professional experience, and continue Atai’s legacy of courageous advocacy, compassionate healthcare, and women’s leadership. This fund is supported by the WONCA Working Party on Women and Family Medicine, which Atai served with distinction.
SNAPSHOT 2024: What did WONCA achieve in the past year? Snapshot 2024 gives you a clear, magazine-style overview of our key activities and milestones.This engaging, concise publication offers highlights from our regional conferences, Working Parties, Special Interest Groups, Young Doctors’ Movements, and global initiatives like World Family Doctor Day. It is designed for WONCA members and also those less familiar with our work. We warmly invite you to read and share Snapshot 2024 widely.
Annual Report: Snapshot 2024 features selected stories from our comprehensive Annual Report 2024, also published today. For a detailed account of WONCA’s projects, partnerships, and global impact, we invite you to explore the full Annual Report, celebrating the commitment and achievements of family doctors around the world.
LAST CHANCE – FIVE STAR DOCTORS AWARD: Tomorrow is the last day to nominate an outstanding family doctor for WONCA’s Regional Five Star Doctor Award 2025. This award recognizes excellence in healthcare based on five key criteria: care provider, decision maker, communicator, community leader, and manager. Regional winners will be considered for the Global Five Star Doctor Award. Submit your nomination here.
SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS DEADLINES: Deadlines are approaching for WONCA’s awards supporting attendance at WONCA World Lisbon 2025. These awards help young doctors, researchers, and family physicians gain valuable international experience.
Donald Li YDM Scholarship: Assisting three young doctors from low- and middle-income countries with $2,500 each to cover travel, visa, accommodation, and registration costs. Deadline: 21 March 2025. Apply here.
Montegut Global Scholars Program: Supported by the American Board of Family Medicine Foundation, providing seven family doctors, one per WONCA region, with $5,000 each to attend the WONCA World Conference 2025 in Lisbon, fostering global education and collaboration since 2010. Deadline: 21 March 2025. Apply here.
Taiwan Research Award: Recognising junior researchers in family medicine. Three winners will receive funding to attend Lisbon 2025. Open to researchers under 40, in their first three years of research, submitting original work. Deadline: 21 March 2025. Apply here.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WONCA MEMBERSHIP: WONCA is conducting a short survey to better understand what our community values in membership. We want to hear from you! Are you aware of the different types of membership WONCA offers? What benefits matter most to you? And what would encourage—or prevent—you from becoming a Direct Member? Your feedback will help us improve and shape our membership offerings to better serve family doctors worldwide. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and your input is invaluable. Take the survey now.
MDD MINDS PROJECT: The MDD Minds for Primary Care project has worked to enhance the capacity of family doctors and primary care professionals to diagnose, treat, and manage major depressive disorder (MDD). Implemented in nine countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, WONCA has provided essential training and resources to integrate mental health care into primary care settings. Developed by our Working Party on Mental Health, the project has engaged thousands of clinicians through an online course, a Train-the-Trainer program, and practice-based quality improvement initiatives.
Closing Event & Livestream: The MDD Minds Closing Event will take place in Brussels at the WONCA Secretariat, bringing together key stakeholders to reflect on the project’s impact and future directions. While the event will be held in person, we invite you to join us remotely via YouTube. The event will present the final project report and website, share regional impact stories, and explore strategies for sustaining mental health capacity-building in primary care. Find more information on the closing event here. Date: Monday, March 24, 2025 Time: 07:15 — 14:00 UTC.
WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY: World Family Doctor Day 2025 will highlight the essential role family doctors play in fostering mental wellness—both for their patients and themselves. This year’s campaign shifts the conversation from the idea of perfect mental health to one of resilience, adaptability, and balance in an ever-changing world. Read more about the campaign, its key messages, and planned activities here.
Campaign Launch: Guided by the WONCA Working Party on Mental Health, the campaign will feature social media storytelling, webinars, and global collaborations to celebrate family doctors and promote mental resilience. Key themes include the connection between doctor well-being and patient care, the role of primary care in mental wellness, and the power of acknowledging suffering and offering hope. The campaign will officially launch on Monday, 24 March 2025, at the MDD Minds Closing Event. Stay tuned for ways to get involved!
FEATURED DOCTOR: Dr. Veronika Rasic is a passionate advocate for rural healthcare. Originally from Croatia, she began her career in pre-hospital emergency medicine before moving to the UK, where she now works as a rural GP in South Wales. A dedicated WONCA member, Veronika has played a key role in Rural WONCA and co-founded Rural Seeds, a global network connecting young doctors with an interest in rural medicine. She also leads Rural Health Compass, working to improve rural health policies in Europe. Learn more about her advocacy work, and even her new love for surfing! 🌊🏄♀️
WONCA WORLD CONFERENCE
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: Only three weeks remain to submit your abstract for WONCA World 2025 in Lisbon! The deadline is 31 March 2025. Share your research, showcase your expertise, and join colleagues shaping the future of family medicine. Prof. Mehmet Ungan, Scientific Committee Co-Chair, has recorded a special video encouraging submissions. Deadline: 31 March 2025. Submit your abstract now.
Add the abstract submission deadline to your calendar on:
📅 Google
📅 Outlook
REGISTER TODAY: Registration for the WONCA World 2025 Conference in Lisbon is now open! Join us for this major biennial event—the largest global gathering of family doctors—where thousands of your colleagues from around the world will meet, share experiences, and shape the future of family medicine. It’s your opportunity to learn from international experts, exchange innovative ideas, strengthen professional connections, and become part of a thriving global family. Register now and take advantage of special early-bird discounts, available until 25 June 2025. WONCA Direct Members benefit from significantly lower registration fees—saving up to €200 compared to non-members.
WONCA YOUNG DOCTORS’ MOVEMENT PRECONFERENCE 2025: And for young doctors eager to connect and learn on a global stage, registration for the WONCA YDM Preconference 2025 is also now open. Held just before the main conference, the preconference offers an affordable, high-value experience designed specifically for early-career family doctors. Enjoy inspiring sessions, networking opportunities, social events, and exclusive conference materials to build lasting connections with peers worldwide. Join this WhatsApp community for updates, tips on abstract submissions, and deadlines.
WONCA SAR 2025: With just three weeks to go until the WONCA South Asia Region Family Medicine Conference 2025, now is the time to secure your plans and travel to Bengaluru, India! This dynamic city, known for its blend of tradition and innovation, is set to host an engaging and impactful event from April 4-6, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand, Bengaluru. The conference brings together leading family doctors, researchers, and healthcare experts from across the world, offering a rich scientific program featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops on primary care, mental health, digital health, and more. Key speakers include Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, Dr. K. Sri Ranjan, and Prof. Kay Mohanna, among many other global leaders in family medicine. In addition to the scientific program, there will be cultural events, networking opportunities, and social gatherings, making this a conference that combines learning with the vibrant experience of Indian hospitality.
Bengaluru: A must-visit destination. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, this city offers something for everyone. From the serene gardens of Lalbagh and Cubbon Park to Bangalore Palace and the Art of Living Centre, there are plenty of places to explore. Extend your stay and take a short trip to Mysore, Coorg, or Hampi for a deeper dive into South India’s rich culture. The city is well connected internationally with direct flights from major global hubs, and offers affordable and luxurious accommodations near the venue. Don’t miss the WONCA SAR 2025 Cultural Extravaganza on April 5, an evening of Indian dance, music, and comedy celebrating the diversity of the region. Register today at www.woncasarindia2025.com and be part of this incredible experience! Dates: 4-6 April, 2025.
Global Rural Health Summit: Kicking off on April 4, this will be a key pre-conference event at WONCA South Asia Region Conferece. Organized by WONCA Rural South Asia (WoRSA) & AFPI – Rural, and supported by the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice, this summit aims to address the unique healthcare challenges in rural and low-income communities. With a rich program of keynotes, workshops, and research presentations, attendees will explore workforce dynamics, healthcare delivery strategies, climate change, and global rural health perspectives
WONCA APR 2025: The 26th WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference takes place from 24 – 27 April 2025. Hosted by the Korean Academy of Family Medicine and themed “Primary Care Transformation; Implementing High-value, High-quality Care!”, this gathering expects around 2,000 participants from across the region. The conference will take place at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX). Early bird registration has been extended until Friday, 28 February—don’t miss this chance to secure your spot! Register today!
WONCA EMR CONFERENCE 2025: The 9th WONCA EMR Congress & 15th National Congress of General Medicine is set to take place from May 8-11, 2025, at the Hilton Houara Hotel in Tangier, Morocco. This event will bring together family doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals to explore key advancements in Family Medicine and Primary Care. With a strong focus on innovations in family medicine, digital transformation, medical education, and public health, the congress offers an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Abstract submission extension: The deadline for abstract submissions has been extended until March 21, 2025, providing an opportunity to showcase research and contribute to shaping the future of primary healthcare. Don’t miss this chance to engage with experts, present your work on a global stage, and experience the rich culture of Tangier, Morocco! Submit here.
Chemical Submission and Drug-Mediated Sexual Abuse: Hosted by the SIG on Family Violence, in collaboration with the SIG on Emergency Medicine and the WP on Women and Family Medicine, join Dr Elena Klusova (Spain) as she explores chemsex, chemical vulnerability, and substances used in submission, and Dr Raquel Gómez Bravo (Luxembourg) on supporting victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Learn about key substances, their effects, and best practices for identifying and supporting affected patients. Date: Wednesday, 16th April 2025. Time: 10:00 UTC. Register here.
YDM and WP on Research Webinar: Polaris (Young Doctors’ Movement of North America) and the Working Party on Research will host a collaborative webinar as part of the YDM & Working Parties/Special Interest Groups ongoing series. Date: Sunday, 23 March 2025. Time: 13:00 UTC. Register here.
Health Workforce Dynamics: The 6th Pre-Summit webinar for the Global Rural Health Summit explored health workforce dynamics using a lifecycle approach. Speakers examined the journey of healthcare professionals—from education and training to career progression and retirement—highlighting key factors such as workforce distribution, specialty choice, and migration patterns. The discussion also covered strategies for workforce planning, recruitment, and retention to ensure a sustainable healthcare system. Watch the webinar recording.
Lifestyle Medicine: WONCA Europe’s Lifestyle Medicine and Social Prescribing SIGs hosted a joint webinar on applying Lifestyle Medicine and Social Prescribing in daily clinical practice. The recording is now available here.
Meditation: Watch our full recording of “The Benefits of Meditation,” a webinar hosted by the WONCA Special Interest Group on Integrative Care. In this session, Dr Ines Espiga Macedo from Portugal—a family doctor, acupuncturist, and certified meditation teacher—explores meditation’s origins, diverse techniques, and its many health benefits. Available in English,Spanish and Mandarin.
Do you have a news item to share with our WONCA community? Get in touch.
Thank you,
Diarmuid Hayes
Senior Communications Officer [email protected]
