The Europe Region of World Physiotherapy recognises every 2 years the contribution of individuals to physiotherapy within the Europe Region. 

The 2026 awards were announced by Esther-Mary D’Arcy, Chair of the Europe Region, at the Emerald Hotel Pristina during the official dinner of the 15th General Meeting.

In this edition, the recipients of the award were 

• María Torres Lacomba, member of the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists (AEF); and 

• Helena Pepa, former CEO of the Swedish Association of Physiotherapists

María Torres Lacomba is Full Professor at the University of Alcalá (Spain) and an internationally recognised leader in Women’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. 

María has significantly contributed to the profession in Europe through her roles in organisations such as International Accreditation Panel of World Physiotherapy, supporting harmonisation and quality assurance of physiotherapy education programmes in Europe and Asia, as President of the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists in Women’s and Pelvic Health (AEF-SAMU) and as Co-Director of the IRSST–UAH Chair on Equal Opportunities in Occupational Risk Prevention, advancing research and knowledge transfer with a gender and inclusion perspective.

María Torres Lacomba has significantly strengthened physiotherapy’s contribution to women’s health, pelvic health, and cancer survivorship across Europe, making her a deserving recipient of the Europe Region Award.

Helena Pepa served as CEO of the Swedish Association of Physiotherapists for several years before retiring at the beginning of 2026. Previously she served as president of the Association and has been engaged in the profession internationally for many years. Helena is a true European and the Executive Committee unanimously

nominated her for the Europe Region award. Her interest in the development of the profession has seen her at several regional General Meetings where she was often the spokesperson of the Nordic countries.  

As a person with a long involvement in Swedish physiotherapy and a long interest in European physiotherapy who supported and contributed to the enhancement of the Swedish association and the Europe Region, Helena Pepa is a worthy recipient of this award.