Pusterla Digital Media Award for Medical Students

Back to CMH overview

The Pusterla Digital Media Award celebrates outstanding digital images and short videos that explore ethical questions in health, medicine, or illness. Open to all medical students in Switzerland, it offers an opportunity to raise awareness of ethical dimensions, reflect creatively, and share perspectives with a wider audience.

The Inter-University Forum for Medical Humanities at the University of Zurich, in collaboration with the Swiss Medical Students’ Association (swimsa), established this award to encourage reflection on medical ethics through creative expression and to inspire new perspectives.

Participants were invited to submit either an image or a short video (maximum 20 seconds). AI-generated work was permitted as part of the creative process. Optionally, participants could include a short statement (maximum 100 words) explaining the concept or ethical reflection behind their submission.

• 1st Place: 1,000 CHF
• 2nd Place: 500 CHF
• 3rd Place: 300 CHF
• Audience Favourite Award: 300 CHF (voted at the Pusterla Awards Night 2025)

• Dr med Afreed Ashraf, Swissmedtalk
• Dr med Willi Balandies, Swissmedtalk
• Prof Nikola Biller-Andorno, Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Zurich
• Prof Johanna Sommer, Institute of Family and Childhood Medicine, University of Geneva
• Prof Oliver Ullrich, Space Hub, University of Zurich

Submissions were evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Ethical Reflection (0–5 points): Does the work address an ethical issue in health, medicine, or illness?
• Concept (0–5 points): Is the idea clear, thoughtful, and relevant?
• Visual Impact (0–5 points): Does the work encourage reflection or leave a lasting impression?

The winners were announced at the Pusterla Awards Night 2025, held on 25 October 2025.

Questions? Email Dr sc med Tania Manríquez