Prof. Jochen Schmitt, head of the Center for Evidence-Based Health Care (ZEGV) at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, will be awarded the German Cancer Award 2026 in the category of health services research. The award is given to the WiZEN project, which for the first time demonstrates a survival advantage for cancer patients in certified oncological centers with a broad database.

The WiZEN project, funded by the Innovation Fund of the Federal Joint Committee, compared the treatment outcomes of cancer patients in certified centers with those in non-certified hospitals. The evaluation of nationwide routine statutory health insurance data and cancer registry data revealed consistent advantages in favor of treatment in certified facilities for all types of cancer examined. In addition, the study showed that the care in these centers is also cost-efficient.

For the first time, the results provide methodologically robust evidence that certifications of oncology centers are not only theoretically meaningful, but also bring measurable benefits to patients. They give those affected an important orientation in the choice of treatment location.

Prof. Jochen Schmitt is honored for his many years of service to health services research in oncology. Under his leadership, the WiZEN study was created, which shows how health services research can directly improve practice – from the basic methodological work to the testing of evidence-based care models.

The German Cancer Award has been awarded annually since 1986 by the German Cancer Society and the German Cancer Foundation. In the category of health services research, it has been firmly established since 2025 and is endowed with 7,500 euros. The award ceremony will take place on June 19, 2026 in Berlin.

The University Hospital Dresden and the Faculty of Medicine of the TU Dresden honored the award as recognition of the close link between research and patient care in Dresden. Prof. Schmitt is a member of the German Advisory Council on Health and Care and a member of the board of the German Network for Health Services Research.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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