We recognise outstanding individual achievements in digestive health
Each year, we honour an individual with a career of at least 30 years whose remarkable achievements have improved the lives of people in relation to digestive health.
The Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 will be formally presented during the Opening Plenary Session at UEG Week Barcelona 2026. The UEG Council acts as the nominating committee and oversees the decision-making process for the award of this prestigious recognition. In case you need more information or wish to contact UEG Council please contact Katharina Gattermayer.
Lifetime Achievement Awardee 2025: Lars Aabakken
Lars Aabakken started his career studying the effects of NSAIDs on the GI-tract. He used novel methods at the time such as Cr-EDTA for permeability testing and Cr- marked erythrocytes to quantify blood loss.
Since his early career, he has demonstrated exceptional skills in observing, analyzing, and teaching medicine. In 1988 he authored a still widely used intern handbook, edited Norway’s first two-volume internal medicine textbook, and developed innovative educational and clinical tools, including systems for patient feedback and standardized endoscopy reporting.
As head of the GI Endoscopy Unit at Rikshospitalet in Oslo, Norway, since 2002, he transformed it into a state-of-the-art endoscopy unit. He has contributed to national data registries, supervised PhD students in advanced endoscopic techniques, and played key roles in academic publishing, including serving as executive editor and editor-in-chief of the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology and as editorial board member in several other renowned endoscopy journals.
In UEG he has been active as Secretary for the Scientific Committee of the 3rd UEG meeting in Oslo 1994, as Member of the Education Committee 2002-2011, and as Counsellor in the Council 2016-2019. He was President in the Scandinavian Association for Digestive Endoscopy (SADE) 2005-2013. In ESGE he served for 17 years in the Governing Board as Chair of Education Committee, Treasurer and President (2014-2016). He currently is President of the World Endoscopy Organisation and active in the WGO Climate Change Committee, leading ENDO2026 in Cape Town while improving GI care and training in Africa.
Lars Aabakken’s long commitment for gastroenterology and his tireless efforts to improve endoscopy, terminology, working standards and pedagogics has inspired a new generation of gastroenterologists, both nationally and internationally. He has left a lasting mark in improving endoscopy and making the specialty of gastroenterology and hepatology attractive for young doctors.
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