The nine winners of the 9th International Medis Awards for Medical Research were announced on Thursday, 9 March 2023 at a ceremony at Ljubljana Castle in Ljubljana, Slovenia. For the ninth time, the contest has awarded outstanding research achievements of doctors and pharmacists from nine countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

Thewinners of the 9th International Medis Awards for Medical Research are (by field):

  • Gastroenterology: Julian Peter Schwärzler, MD, Austria
  • Gynecology: Vid Janša, MD, Slovenia
  • Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology: Christian Reiterer, MD, Austria
  • Neurology: Ivo Božović, MD, Serbia
  • Ophthalmology: Martina Tomić, MD, PhD, Croatia
  • Pediatrics: Prof. Zlatan Zvizdić, MD, PhD, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Pharmacy: Prof. Aneta Perić, BPharm, PhD, Serbia
  • Pulmonology and Allergology: Christian Lang, MD, Austria
  • Rheumatology: Assoc. Prof. Peter Mandl, MD, Austria

The President of the International Scientific Committee Prof. Borut Štrukelj, MSc Pharm, PhD, observed about the submitted research:

For the members of the International Scientific Committee, it is a great privilege to be part of an extremely interesting process where we get to know the diversity and depth of the research work of outstanding doctors and pharmacists in our region. Their research is high-quality, inspiring, and a resource for improving healthcare. They all deserve the highest praise and sincere congratulations, especially for the effort and sacrifice that their clinical and research work often requires.

After two years, the awards were once again presented live, as the award ceremony took place at the Ljubljana Castle in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Founder of the International Medis Awards Tone Strnad, MSc Pharm, noted in his speech:

The tireless research work of doctors and pharmacists from Central and South-Eastern Europe raises the wealth of knowledge in medicine and pharmacy to the highest scientific level. In this way, they also directly contribute to better treatment. Their work deserves the highest recognition, respect and attention from the wider international public and locally. This was precisely the purpose of establishing the International Medis Awards nine years ago, and today we are proud to strengthen the reputation of the medical and pharmaceutical community in the region also through these awards.

Martina Perharič, MSc Pharm, PhD, Medis CEO, also shared her thoughts:

The scientific work of doctors and pharmacists is part of the great story of discovering innovations that will help detect and treat diseases and improve the quality of life of many people. Their dedication deserves our deepest respect. Without their efforts, many lives would have been lost, and many medicines and diagnostic methods would have gone undiscovered. Their passion for medicine and research is a true inspiration to us all.

Doctors and pharmacists who published their scientific research contributions in the most prestigious scientific publications, i.e. those with an impact factor higher than 1.500, were eligible to compete in the 9th International Medis Awards. This year, 238 applications were received from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.

185 applications met all the high criteria for nomination for the International Medis Awards. The International Scientific Committee evaluated the applications and selected 18 finalists, including nine winners.