Professor Emeritus Tore Kvien has been awarded the Honorary Award of the Year during the first awarding of the "Award for Outstanding Contribution to Clinical Studies". With the award, the organizers honor a professional who has left a lasting mark over time. For Diakonhjemmet Hospital, it is a celebration of an environment that has combined patient care and clinical research for decades.
On Thursday, January 29, the Mirror Hall at the Grand Hotel was full of professionals, researchers, patient representatives and partners from all over the country. When Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre announced that the Honorary Award of the Year went to Professor Tore Kvien from Diakonhjemmet Hospital, he received a long applause from the audience.
The honorary award is part of the new national "Award for Outstanding Contribution to Clinical Studies", established by NorTrials, LMI, CONNECT, Inven2, NorCRIN and Melanor. The aim is to highlight those who make an extra effort for clinical studies in Norway - from individuals and centers to innovative environments and young researchers.
Surprised prize winner
Kvien attended the event because the rheumatology community at Diakonhjemmet had several nominations in the regular categories. The fact that he himself would receive the honorary award came as a surprise.
In his justification, the Minister of Health emphasized, among other things, that the honorary award is given to a person who has distinguished himself in a very special way over time, and who has left a lasting mark with his commitment, effort and leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Kvien highlighted how clinical trials can and should be an integral part of regular patient care – not something that happens on the side. This has been a guiding principle for the Rheumatology Department throughout his time as department head.
An environment shaped by clinical trials
Tore Kvien has been head of the Department of Rheumatology from 1994 to 2019, and throughout these years has helped shape the culture of research that characterizes the clinic today.
Large studies such as NOR-DMARD, NOR-SWITCH, ARCTIC, ARCTIC REWIND, NOR-VEAC, NOR-HAND and NOR-GOUT are examples of projects that have involved many employees, and which have provided knowledge that has changed practice both nationally and internationally. Many of today's consultants and researchers at Diakonhjemmet have had Kvien as a leader or supervisor in these projects.
In a review of him as Norway's third most cited researcher, this is precisely what is emphasized: the formula for success has been participation in randomized clinical studies published in leading journals, combined with broad national and international collaboration.
International impact
Kvien has represented Diakonhjemmet Hospital and Norwegian rheumatology internationally for many years. As president of EULAR and editor-in-chief of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, he has helped set standards for research quality and treatment recommendations.
He has participated in working groups that have developed classification criteria and treatment recommendations for several rheumatic diseases. These documents are used by clinicians worldwide and have a direct impact on how patients are treated.
When he was appointed Knight of the 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav in 2019, the reason given was precisely his efforts for rheumatology and patients with rheumatic disease. The new honorary award for clinical trials can be seen as a continuation of this recognition – now with a clear focus on the importance of clinical trials in patient care.
An inspiration for further efforts
For Diakonhjemmet Hospital, the honorary award is an important confirmation that long-term commitment to clinical studies yields results. The Rheumatology Department has for many years combined treatment, research and education in a way that has made it possible to participate in large international studies and shape international guidelines.
Tore Kvien's award also highlights the importance of building robust environments with researchers, clinicians, coordinators, study nurses, secretaries and many more. Together, they have contributed to Diakonhjemmet Hospital's strong position in rheumatology research and clinical trials today.
