On April 7, 2026, World Health Day the Medical University-Sofia, according to its tradition, marked also its Holiday of Scientific Research and Teaching.
The celebration began with the laying of wreaths and flowers in front of the Doctoral Monument by the Rector’s leadership, the Deans, Deputy Deans and Directors of all units of the higher school. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the deceased healthcare workers who gave their lives in the name of caring for people.
A solemn ceremony followed in the hall of the Sofia Opera and Ballet, where the awards for scientific research and teaching activities of the university were presented.
The celebration was honored by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Iliyana Yotova, the Head of the EC Representation, Mrs. Yordanka Chobanova, the Deputy Ministers of Health Prof. Antonia Dimova, Mr. Vladimir Afenliev and Dr. Petar Gribnev, the Chairperson of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, Prof. Dr. Eliza Stefanova, the Governor of the National Health Insurance Fund, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petko Stefanovski, the Director General of BTA Mr. Kiril Valchev, the Chairperson of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Corr.-Member Evelina Slavcheva, the Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Prof. Dr. Georgi Valchev, the Director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Dr. Iva Hristova, hospital directors, representatives of professional organizations, teachers and students.
In her greeting to the community, the President emphasized that without doctors, the world would be a “harsh and hopeless place”. She highlighted the importance of the Medical University-Sofia in the development of health professionals. “It is from the children you educate that tomorrow’s knights of hope and humanity will emerge. These will be our Bulgarian doctors,” the President said. She added that the development of medical specialists is the result of a long and sustainable tradition that carries within itself the most important achievements not only of MU-Sofia, but also of Bulgarian education.
The Rector, Prof. Boycho Landzhov, MD, PhD began by expressing gratitude for the diligence and commitment of all lecturers and scientists to the authority and progress of the university. He emphasized that “thanks to all of you and your work, Medical University-Sofia has strengthened its position as a leading scientific and educational center with enormous public influence.”
In his address, Prof. Landzhov emphasized the importance of the conditions for quality scientific and research activity as an important part of the development of the scientific institution. He recalled that the management strives to encourage “all scientists to create their own developments, to join national and international partner teams and to develop their ideas”. The Rector gave a brief overview of the measures taken and the results achieved in terms of improving the environment for teaching and scientific work at the university over the past year.
The Rector also drew attention to the student community at the university, which he described as “unique”. “These young colleagues are extremely curious, smart, motivated and ambitious, for which I congratulate them most sincerely”, he said and emphasized the importance of sports, cultural and charitable initiatives that unite and help develop young people as individuals and as professionals.
Two eminent foreign scientists were awarded the title “Doctor Honoris Causa” of MU-Sofia during the ceremony. These are Prof. Marcin Czech (Poland) and Prof. Stefano Del Prato (Italy).
Prof. Chech received the award for his overall activity and for his participation in teaching students from MU-Sofia in the international master’s program “Health Technology Assessment and Pharmacoeconomics”, as well as for his membership in the editorial board of the university’s scientific journal Acta Medica Bulgarica.
Among the motives for awarding Prof. Del Prato are his exceptional professional and academic achievements as a world-renowned scientist in the field of diabetology, for his enormous merits in the training, support and improvement of the qualification of endocrinologists from Bulgaria, and for his contribution to the Department of Endocrinology, MU-Sofia.
More about the motives for awarding them with the title “Doctor Honoris Causa” see HERE.
Prof. Landzhov personally presented the prizes to the researchers and lecturers from MU-Sofia who were honored on the occasion of the holiday, and the Vice-Rector for Science and Accreditation, Prof. Krasimira Yoncheva, DSc, read the reasons for their awards. Their names are as follows:
Honorary badge “AESCULAPIUS”, for contribution to the development of Bulgarian medicine in 2025:
Prof. Ivaylo Tarnev, MD
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine
Prof. Irini Doychinova, MD
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy
Award badge “PANACEA”, for significant achievements in teaching, scientific, and expert activities in 2025:
In the medical-clinical field:
Assoc. Prof. Rumyana Dimova-Draganova, MD
Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine
In the medical-biological field
Prof. Raina Gergova, MD
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine
Honorary badge “SIGNUM LAUDIS” on a ribbon – for special merits for the functioning and development of MU-Sofia during the years of her professional realization:
Assoc. Prof. Ruska Shumnalieva, MD
Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine
Assoc. Prof. Mirela Marinova – Takorova, MD
Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine
Prof. Tsvetelina Petrova-Gotova, MD
Department of Health Technology Assessment, Faculty of Public Health “Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD”
Honorary badge “SIGNUM LAUDIS” on a leather plaque – for special merits for the functioning and development of MU-Sofia during the years of her professional realization:
Assoc. Prof. Georgi Georgiev, MD
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine
Assoc. Prof. Velichka Doseva-Panova, MD
Job position: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of dentistry
Prof. Antonia Yanakieva, MD
Department of Health Technology Assessment, Faculty of Public Health “Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD”
The ceremony ended with a performance by the Sofia Opera and Ballet.
Congratulations to the awarded!
