In 2024, we opened the nomination window for the 2025 BJS Award, inviting you to nominate an exceptional individual who has had a profound impact on patient care.What followed was a rigorous judging process, similar to the selection process for Nobel laureates, with a confidential panel of experts reviewing nominations made by experts from around the global surgical community.
We are delighted to announce Professor James Shapiro as the recipient of the 2025 BJS Award.
Professor Shapiro, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry – Surgery Department, at the University of Alberta, has been recognised for his ground-breaking “Edmonton Protocol” for islet cell transplantation for type 1 diabetes, which has changed clinical practice and improved outcomes for patients around the world.
Professor Derek Alderson, Vice Chair of the BJS Foundation, has said: “The Edmonton Protocol is a fantastic achievement. It is highly innovative and it has that longevity that makes Professor Shapiro and his colleagues’
work deserving of an international prize. Over four decades, they worked out and developed what the successful immunosuppression protocol was that stops the islet cells being rejected. It has now been adopted in many centres around the world to the benefit of patients.
“The aim of this award is to recognise a surgical innovation that has changed clinical practice with a profound impact on patient care – and Professor Shapiro’s work certainly satisfies this. The impact has not only been in the field of transplantation for diabetes but has provided proof that cellular therapy can prevent the complications of chronic disease and potentially be curative. This has been inspirational for many research groups working on regenerative medicine therapies.”
Read the full announcement on BJS
