The 2025 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Dr Janice Wilson.

Dr Janice Wilson is a leader whose steady hand has turned vision into system-wide change, bridging policy, practice, and people to make care safer, fairer, and more effective across Aotearoa New Zealand. A psychiatrist by training and a reformer at heart, she led national transformation through senior Ministry of Health roles before becoming the inaugural Chief Executive of the Health Quality & Safety Commission. Over 12 years, she embedded improvement science and person-centred principles into everyday practice.

She championed evidence-based care, workforce development, and equity, while mentoring emerging leaders across clinical and lived experience communities. A strong voice for digital mental health, she helped position New Zealand as an early adopter, pairing bold policy with practical, compassionate implementation.

Dr Wilson also played a formative role in launching and growing eMHIC, always prioritising learning, humility, and collaboration.

Dr Janice Wilson exemplifies leadership that combines strategic vision, compassion, and practical impact across the mental health system.

Congratulations to Dr Janice Wilson.