Dr. Cristina Maria Del Prete | Medicine and Dentistry | Women Researcher Award 

Dr. Cristina Maria Del Prete is a recognized professional in the field of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, known for her commitment to advancing innovative healthcare models, interdisciplinary rehabilitation practices, and measurable improvements in patient quality of life. She completed comprehensive medical education and specialized training in rehabilitation medicine, followed by multiple advanced executive and managerial qualifications focused on healthcare systems, organizational leadership, digital transformation, and strategic management. Her education laid a strong foundation for a career that has spanned clinical practice, healthcare administration, academic teaching, and national health policy participation. Over the years, she has held progressive leadership roles within major public healthcare structures, directing rehabilitation departments, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing complex service networks involving hospital- and community-based rehabilitation centers. Her responsibilities have included workforce management, budget oversight, strengthening patient-care pathways, improving standards of disability support, and enhancing regional service delivery in alignment with evolving healthcare regulations. She has also actively contributed to national and regional scientific boards, steering committees, and professional societies focused on improving spasticity management, supporting patients with neurological conditions, addressing musculoskeletal pain, and advancing gender-inclusive perspectives within modern healthcare. Her research output reflects a strong blend of clinical relevance and academic rigor, focusing on post-stroke rehabilitation, botulinum toxin interventions in neuromotor disorders, gait analysis, scoliosis management, family coping mechanisms in the context of disability, and the psychological dynamics influencing care outcomes. Her published studies in international peer-reviewed journals demonstrate a dedication to evidence-based rehabilitation, resulting in 63 citations from 55 documents, 7 published scientific works, and an h-index of 4. She has also contributed extensively to academic progress through university teaching appointments across multiple medical programs, where she has trained students in foundational and advanced principles of rehabilitation medicine. International clinical training and professional development programs have further enhanced her expertise and broadened her exposure to advanced rehabilitative technologies, patient-centered methodologies, and global best practices. Throughout her career, she has remained consistently committed to improving health system performance, innovating care delivery frameworks, and conducting research that informs more efficient, equitable, and clinically effective rehabilitation services. Her professional journey reflects a continuous dedication to advancing healthcare quality, supporting both patients and practitioners, and strengthening the scientific foundations of modern rehabilitation.