TUMS Nursing Alumni and Student Receive International Recognition for Innovation and Excellence

Members of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) have received major international recognition for achievements in healthcare innovation and nursing education, highlighting the university's growing global impact in advancing patient care and health technologies.

At the 6th IFIA INV Title Holders 2026 International Invention Competition, held in Geneva, Switzerland, Ali Abbaszadeh Cheraghali, a Master's student in Medical-Surgical Nursing at TUMS, won six international medals for a portfolio of healthcare innovations. Competing alongside inventors from more than 50 countries, he was awarded four gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal after presenting six technologies designed to address real-world healthcare challenges.

His award-winning innovations included a smart ergonomic backpack to improve spinal posture in schoolchildren, a magnetically guided smart nasogastric tube to enhance patient safety and accurate tube placement, a diagnostic urinary catheter for rapid detection of drug poisoning, and a portable microbial analysis system integrating nanotechnology, microfluidics and artificial intelligence to support rapid antibiotic selection at the point of care. He also received recognition for developing a non-invasive jugular venous pressure monitoring system using laser technology and an advanced patient gown designed to improve care in intensive care units.

In a separate international achievement, Arvin Mirshahi, a graduate of the TUMS School of Nursing and Midwifery, received the 2025 Excellence in ELNEC Award, an international honour recognising outstanding contributions to palliative and end-of-life nursing education.

The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC), established through collaboration between City of Hope and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), is one of the world's leading educational programmes in palliative care. Its annual Excellence in ELNEC Award recognises healthcare professionals who have made significant contributions to advancing education, clinical practice and capacity building in end-of-life care.

Mirshahi received the award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen specialist nursing education and promote high-quality palliative care, contributing to improved standards of patient-centred care and professional training.

Together, these achievements demonstrate the breadth of excellence within the TUMS School of Nursing and Midwifery—from developing innovative medical technologies to advancing international leadership in nursing education. They also reflect the university's commitment to fostering creativity, translational innovation and evidence-based healthcare that addresses emerging global health needs.

By supporting both technological innovation and educational excellence, TUMS continues to strengthen its international reputation as a leading academic institution dedicated to improving healthcare through research, education and interdisciplinary collaboration.