Sigrid Ødegård, one of Norway's leading enthusiasts in rheumatology, has been awarded the Clinician of the Year Award by the Norwegian Rheumatological Society (NRF). The award was presented during the NRF's Christmas meeting in 2024, in recognition of her extraordinary efforts.
A clinician in a class of her own,
Sigrid Ødegård has been an invaluable resource at Diakonhjemmet Hospital for almost 30 years, where she works with patients at the National Treatment Service for Rheumatological Rehabilitation (NBRR).
– Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to combine extensive medical knowledge with an empathetic and holistic approach to patient care, says Kjetil Bergsmark, head of the Department of Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research.
Colleagues describe her as an invaluable collaborator who always puts the patient at the center. In interdisciplinary teams and in teaching arenas, she is known for her wisdom, professional integrity, and commitment.
– Sigrid has a unique ability to create alliances with patients who have previously encountered a lot of resistance in the healthcare system. She manages to help them regain their faith in recovery. For many patients, this is absolutely essential for the further rehabilitation process, says Susanne Brøndbo, Const. Director of NBRR.
A resource for all of Norway 
Sigrid Ødegård received the NRF Clinician Award 2024 Through lectures, teaching and publications, Sigrid Ødegård has spread knowledge about the rehabilitation of complex rheumatic patients. She has been a particular advocate for patients with demanding and complex conditions, which can often be challenging for both patient and therapist.
Her work has helped to strengthen the rehabilitation field, even in times of increasing demands for efficiency. With her background as a researcher, including a PhD in epidemiology and arthritis, she has a solid academic platform to support her clinical work.
The Clinician Award – an important recognition
The Clinician Award is awarded annually by the NRF to a practicing rheumatologist who has distinguished himself with significant commitment to the profession, inspired colleagues and improved the everyday life of rheumatologists. The award of 25,000 kroner is intended to honor enthusiasts who have used their energy and expertise to advance rheumatology.
Diakonhjemmet Hospital has every reason to be proud that one of its own has received this prestigious award. We congratulate Sigrid Ødegård on this year's clinician award and thank her – so far – for the invaluable contribution she has made to patients and the field of rheumatology in Norway.
Sigrid Ødegård's speech during the award ceremony
Maud-Kristine Aga Ljosa gave an enthusiastic speech:
This year's winner of the Clinician Award is a truly experienced rheumatologist. She – yes, I said she, so all the male rheumatologists with a thank-you note in their pocket can safely leave it there.
She - this year's winner - handles the most difficult, most demanding, most exhausted and actually for the doctor - also exhausting patients in rheumatology Norway. Her colleagues say she radiates life wisdom, experience, wisdom and competence. She is the linchpin of the large interdisciplinary team in the section where she works and is highly valued by all her closest colleagues, across professional groups.
In discussions, she advocates for the patient with warmth and commitment. She is empathetic and good at dealing with complex patients and their relatives, and always with great professional integrity.
She is a resource for all of Norway, and has traveled extensively, speaking and writing about complex rehabilitation. She has made herself a spokesperson for a group of patients that many of us find very demanding, that we are tempted to give up on altogether.
She has developed a unique expertise in the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatic diseases combined with complex issues; overuse of painkillers, anxiety, chronic pain, adaptation difficulties and all the misery in the world. Many of us are happy to have received help in dealing with these patients. And by now everyone has probably long understood that this year's winner is Sigrid Ødegård at Diakonhjememt Hospital.
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Here you can experience Sigrid Ødegård in her latest webinar from November 2024; Late diagnosis in rheumatic disease
Read more about NBRR
Read more about Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research
