Remo Largo died on November 11, 2020, just before his 77th birthday, plunging his family, friends, traveling companions, colleagues and readers into great sadness. There was a great need to pay tribute to him in another way than through a symposium in memory of his work and letters of condolence. The idea of naming a street after him has faded, as many other deceased figures are apparently waiting for personal street naming in the city of Zurich. Even a small road was not available.
This is how the idea of creating a memorial prize was born, which was also a great success with his three daughters. The objective was to pay tribute to the work of Remo Largo for children, who always placed the child at the center and dedicated his life to strengthening the resources of children and families. Every year, as part of the annual congress of the Swiss Society for Developmental Pediatrics (SSPD), an innovative project will be awarded, which will keep its legacy alive and continue it.
Remo Largo himself would probably have accepted this tribute with a smile and would have been delighted to see his legacy continued. Developmental pediatricians, who may not all have had the opportunity to see him in person, may be honored for their innovative projects, oriented towards children and development.
The first award ceremony took place on 20.11.2024, four years after his premature death, on the occasion of the symposium of the Development and Growth Department of the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG). In collaboration with the SSPD, Geneva colleagues organized a training day on the theme “Supporting development from birth to adolescence: clinical interventions and scientific knowledge”.
Innovative projects focused on child development have been shortlisted for the award. Three exceptional contributions were presented at conferences: a prevention project aimed at promoting health and development in the face of increasing environmental pollution (Estelle Delamare, pediatrician in training at the University Hospitals of Geneva), the development of the Fit concept of Remo Largo into a “Bene-Fit” approach, which uses hypnotherapeutic methods and the personal strengths of the treating pediatricians (Martina Hug, Department of Developmental Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Zurich) as well as as an intervention study on improving executive functions in adolescents with congenital heart defects (Alenka Schmid, Department of Developmental Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Zurich).
The prize was won by Estelle Delamare with the project » 12 MONTHS 12 ACTIONS » – A CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (“12 months 12 actions”)
-Estelle Delamare, pediatrician in training at Geneva University Hospital.
The project convinced the jury with its innovative and preventive approach.
The “12 months – 12 actions” campaign aims to convince children, parents and doctors, using infographics, that it is possible to take care of your own health while acting for the health of the planet . Particular emphasis is placed on the links between the environment and the child’s development. For example, moving more in nature and spending less time in front of a screen promotes development while improving the ecological footprint. It illustrates Remo Largo’s important idea that the child is strongly influenced by his interaction with the environment. Children are still very receptive to their environment and can thus be positively influenced in their future behavior by good role models. It also strengthens the well-being of the community and contributes in part to the preservation of nature’s resources. This prize will reinforce Estelle Delamare in her commitment to children and environmental protection.
The presentation of the first Remo Largo Memorial Prize was a great success and will now be awarded annually as part of the SSPD Annual Congress.
Authors: Bea Latal, Russia Ha-Vinh Leuchter, Johanna Largo
