Guidelines International Network are pleased to announce that Joanne Khabsa has been chosen to receive the 2026 Najoua Mlika-Cabanne Innovation Award.
This annual GIN award acknowledges an individual’s contribution to innovation in the methodology, development, and /or implementation of clinical practice guidelines. The award is determined by a Committee who review the nominations received.
Ms Khabsa is the Coordinator of the AUB GRADE Center, and an active member of GIN, the GRADE Working Group, the Cochrane Methods Equity group, and the MuSE (formerly MultiStakeholder Engagement) core team. She has contributed to collaborative initiatives shaping the future of guideline methodology. Her work focuses on advancing the methods underpinning trustworthy practice guidelines, particularly in the areas of conflict of interest, interest-holder engagement, living approaches, and guideline adaptation. Across these methods, she led and contributed to impactful empirical studies, methodological frameworks, and reporting guidelines.
Ms Khabsa also led a series of eleven papers summarizing methodological guidance from organizations that develop practice guidelines (Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2025). This work has informed initiatives including GRADE-ADOLOPMENT guidance, the GIN-McMaster extensions for equity and interest-holder engagement, and the RIGHT extensions for conflict of interest.
She is a pharmacist and holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from AUB. Through the AUB GRADE Center, she has championed the GRADE approach and rigorous guideline development in the region, including supporting Egypt’s national guideline program and contributing to the first Lebanese GRADE-based guideline (Vitamin D). She has also led several mixed-methods studies on contextual factors directly informing WHO guidelines.
Roberta James, Chair of the Board for GIN said:
“On behalf of GIN, I am delighted to congratulate Joanne Khabsa as this year’s recipient of the Najoua Mlika-Cabanne Award for Innovation. This award recognises an exceptional early-career professional whose creativity, dedication and fresh thinking are helping to shape the future of guideline development and implementation. Innovation often comes from those willing to challenge established approaches and explore new possibilities, and it is essential that we support and celebrate emerging talent within our community. By recognising these achievements, we honour Najoua Mlika-Cabanne’s legacy while investing in the next generation of leaders who will advance evidence-based healthcare around the world.”
Collectively, Ms Khabsa’s work exemplifies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and impact that the Najoua Mlika-Cabanne Innovation Award seeks to recognize, which is why she was nominated for this Award.
Upon receiving the Award, Ms Khabsa said: “Receiving this award is a tremendous honor and an encouragement to continue advancing rigorous, equitable, and transparent guideline development. I am deeply grateful to the Guidelines International Network for this recognition, as well as to the mentors, colleagues, and collaborators who have supported and inspired me throughout this journey.”
Find out more about the Najoua Mlika-Cabanne Award for Innovation