The ceremony, organized by the Bulgarian Medical Union, marked the 125th anniversary of the founding of the organization and brought together state officials, healthcare leaders, and medical professionals from across the country.
He pioneered laser and robotic urology in Bulgaria, performing the country’s first laser prostate surgery in 2008.
"It is important not what great and phenomenal surgery we will do in the operating room, but the one to whom the surgery happens, he is important."
State Officials Address Funding, Technology, and Trust in Healthcare
During the opening ceremony, Vice President Iliyana Yotova emphasized that society must protect the authority of medical professionals to ensure national security. "We cannot be a good society if we only want and give nothing, and the least is for there to be worthy conditions for your work in Bulgaria," Yotova said, noting that advanced medicine requires robust state funding, nova.bg reported. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev added that artificial intelligence can process vast amounts of data and assist in surgery, but cannot replace the human connection and trust between doctor and patient, focus-news.net reported.
Category Winners Recognized at the National History Museum
The Bulgarian Medical Union presented honors across multiple categories to recognize dedication, innovation, and young talent in the medical field. Five young physicians—Vasilena Topuzanska, Vincent Selkinski, Svetoslav Stoyanov, Hristian Hristov, and Petar Uchikov—received recognition in the "You Are Our Future" category. Additional honors went to Zdravko Dimitrov, Pavlina Zdravkova, and Milena Vladimirov for strengthening the union’s authority, and to Marina Dyankova, Petya Andreeva, and Nikola Kolevs for contributions to innovative medicine. Valeria Hadzhiyska-Popova, Toni Avramov, Gencho Nachev, and Ivelina Odiseeva were honored for long-term contributions to their medical specialties.
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