Kim Mo Im Policy Innovation and Impact Award

Dr Kim Mo-Im is a pioneer and an evolutionary leader in various areas of social and health development. She was the first nurse in Korea appointed to Minister of Health and was a member of the World Health Organization Expert Panel of Nursing for 20 years and ICN President from 1989 to 1993.

The Kim Mo Im Policy Innovation and Impact Award is granted every two years to a nurse who has demonstrated policy innovation and impact. It focuses on a key global issue of the time and ICN established strategy.

We encourage National Nurses' Associations (NNAs) to identify and nominate nurses whose work has shaped policy, strengthened health systems and improved health outcomes. 

Previous recipients of the Kim Mo Im Policy Innovation and Impact award

• The first award was granted at the ICN Congress in Barcelona in 2017 to Dr Miaofen Yen for her work to establish an International Advanced Programme in Nursing at the National Cheung Kung University in Taiwan.
• Mr Elias Al Aaraj was awarded the 2019 Kim Mo Im Policy Innovation and Impact Award for introducing harm reduction services in Lebanon and other Middle East and North African countries.
• The 2021 Kim Mo Im Award has been granted to Professor Abel Avelino de Paiva e Silva from Ordem dos Enfermeiros, Portugal for advancing an innovative policy project focused on nursing ontology.
• The 2023 Kim Mo-Im Award has been granted to Leah Primitiva S. Paquiz from the Philippines Nursing Association for creating laws surrounding tobacco cessation. This successful intervention significantly decreased tobacco use in the Philippines, especially for teens.

• The 2025 Kim Mo-Im Award is presented to Dr William E. Rosa of the American Nurses Association for his impactful contributions to global palliative care policy. Dr Rosa has successfully translated research into practice and leveraged international networks to shape inclusive, equity-driven health policies.