Prof Maria Tokmakova Named Doctor of the Year

Diana Dukovska

Bulgarian Medical Association President Nikolay Branzalov gives the 2024 Doctor of the Year Award to Maria Tokmakova, Sofia, October 18, 2024 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)

Sofia,

18.10.2024 21:28

(BTA)

Prof Maria Tokmakova Friday received the 2024 Doctor of the Year Award from Dr Nikolay Branzalov, President of the Bulgarian Medical Association. The ceremony took place at the National History Museum.

Prof Tokmakova is Head of Department at the Cardiology Clinic of Plovdiv's St George University Hospital and Deputy Rector for Science and Research at the Medical University of Plovdiv. She graduated from that university in 1995, specialized in internal medicine and cardiology, earned a Master's degree in Health Management in 2011, and has taken specialist courses in Hungary, France and the United States, to name only a few. Prof Tokmakova has been Chief Coordinator of the Health Ministry's Expert Board on Cardiology. In 2024, she joined the Board of the European Society of Cardiology.

Dr Branzalov and Health Minister Galya Kondeva addressed those present on the eve of Bulgarian Doctor's Day, marked on October 19.

Other doctors won recognition for their long-standing work and active contribution to the development of a specialty; for their contribution to the development and application of innovative medicine and unique techniques; or for their contribution to the development and promotion of the professional organization. There is also an award given to young doctors.

Health Minister Kondeva gave the Dedication and Ethics Award to the team working at the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. The award is named after Dr Stefan Cherkezov who lost his life after saving 47 people from a burning bus in 1963.

The awards were given on the eve of the feast day of St John the Miracle Worker of Rila, which is also marked as Bulgarian Doctor's Day. The event was attended by MPs, doctors, academia, representatives of the organizations of pharmacists, dentists and health care professionals, and of the National Health Insurance Fund, among others.

/IV/