Prof. Theodore Tulchinsky, professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been named the recipient of the APHA 2026 Victor Sidel and Barry Levy Award for Peace, recognizing his contributions to public health cooperation, disease prevention, and the training of healthcare professionals worldwide.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) has announced that Prof. Theodore Tulchinsky of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will receive the 2026 Victor Sidel and Barry Levy Award for Peace in recognition of his longstanding efforts to promote cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian health authorities and improve public health internationally.

The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to preventing conflict and promoting international peace, particularly through their work in public health. It highlights the role healthcare professionals can play in building cooperation and addressing shared health challenges across political and national boundaries.

Throughout his career, Tulchinsky has demonstrated how public health initiatives can bring communities together, even in regions affected by political tensions.

As a former public health director at Israel's Ministry of Health and supervisor of health services in the West Bank and Gaza, he worked to establish professional connections between Israeli and Palestinian researchers, healthcare workers, and health authorities. These collaborations contributed to improvements in maternal and child health and supported vaccination campaigns aimed at eliminating polio and measles in Gaza.

His work reflects a central principle of public health: infectious diseases do not recognize borders, and protecting communities requires cooperation, shared knowledge, and coordinated action.

Beyond his contributions to regional health cooperation, Tulchinsky has played an important role in strengthening public health education around the world.

As an educator and mentor, he has guided students and healthcare professionals across the Americas, Asia, and Africa, helping develop the next generation of public health leaders. He also contributed to the establishment of public health programs in countries of the former Soviet Union, supporting efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and professional training.

In Israel, Tulchinsky founded the country's first bachelor's degree program in public health at Ashkelon Academic College, expanding opportunities for students to enter a field traditionally associated with postgraduate education.

The Victor Sidel and Barry Levy Award for Peace is named in honor of two former presidents of the American Public Health Association who devoted significant efforts to raising awareness of the health consequences of war and the importance of peace. The award recognizes public health professionals whose work advances international understanding and cooperation.

His recognition underscores the importance of public health not only in preventing disease and improving healthcare outcomes, but also in fostering dialogue, building professional partnerships, and promoting cooperation across borders.