Announcement: Luc de Bernis Memorial Fund and Midwifery Award
Luc de Bernis was an obstetrician and gynaecologist, a passionate activist, international maternal and newborn health advisor and champion of midwives, who sadly passed away in his native France in April 2024. Early in his career he recognized that midwives, working in collaboration with other professionals and with women, are often the only care provider available in such challenging situations and as such are key to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, as well as the prevention of and care to women suffering from an obstetric fistula.
To honour his life and work, Luc‘s friends and colleagues, in collaboration with ICM, have decided to launch a special fund in his name to recognise and reward midwives providing care in the most challenging settings.
Recipients of the Luc de Bernis Midwifery Award will be announced at a special session held in Luc’s name at the ICM Triennial Congress in Lisbon in June 2026. Donations to the award’s Memorial Fund can be made through the WithWomen Charity website, using the button below.
Further details outlining the process for nominations of midwives for the Luc de Bernis Award and details about the Award such as criterion for the Award will be announced on the ICM website in 2025.
