Paul Fockens: Awardee of the 2024 United European Gastroenterology Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul Fockens, Professor of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been honored with the 2024 United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals with long and distinguished careers whose significant achievements have greatly improved the lives of those with gastrointestinal diseases. It also acknowledges their contributions, leadership, and impact within the UEG community and the broader field of gastroenterology. Paul Fockens is undoubtedly a deserving recipient, joining the ranks of previous distinguished award winners that are renowned leaders in European gastroenterology. Paul Fockens has continuously dedicated his life to innovating and advancing the field of gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy. He has distinguished himself in patient care, research, medical publishing, mentorship, and leadership. His impact on the field of gastroenterology and especially gastrointestinal endoscopy has been enormous and cannot be overstated. Over the last 30 years, Paul Fockens has been one of the most influential drivers advancing this field. He has published over 500 peer-reviewed papers, co-edited two highly successful medical textbooks, Endosonography and Gastroenterological Endoscopy, and was the co-editor of Endoscopy, the ESGE's official publication organ. In teaching and mentoring, Paul Fockens has mentored more than 50 young trainees in achieving their PhDs, always with great interest, and passion to foster independent minds. His dedication to training the next generation of gastroenterologists was also demonstrated by his chairmanship of both the European Postgraduate Gastro-Surgical School and the Dutch National Gastroenterology Training Committee and the organization of numerous postgraduate conferences, including the renowned EUS Live Amsterdam and Amsterdam Live Endoscopy courses. Paul Fockens has applied his leadership skills to numerous medical societies and national committees, starting as the Chair of the Dutch National Organization of Gastroenterologists from 2001 to 2005. On the international stage, Paul Fockens served as the General Secretary and then the President of the ESGE (2010–2014). He spearheaded the joint ESGE/UEG collaborative project "Quality in Endoscopy," which resulted in eight significant peer-reviewed papers on endoscopy quality standards. Following this, he was elected Vice-President and subsequently President of UEG, serving from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure at UEG, he focused on enhancing multidisciplinary interactions and cooperation within the organization. We know Paul Fockens as a very kind and purposeful individual, who combines a confident and determined personality with the exceptional skill to make others feel at ease, seen and heard. The combination of his professional skills and personality made him a meritorious Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In this role, he was a true pioneer; when it became clear that the two academic medical centers in Amsterdam were going to merge, he devised a plan for his department to take a leading position, resulting in a brand-new, top-notch endoscopy unit and working facilities run by a world-class team. He once again demonstrated his open mind and eagerness for challenges by stepping down as Head of Department in Amsterdam, to take on a role as an all-round gastroenterologist in a 2-year appointment in Hamilton, New Zealand. Paul Fockens is an exceptionally well-deserved recipient of this year's UEG Lifetime Achievement Award. Please join us in congratulating Professor Fockens when he receives his award at the ceremony on 13 October 2024, during the Opening Plenary Session at UEG Week in Vienna, Austria. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.