Doctor of the Year Award to Be Presented on St John of Rila’s Day

St John of Rila is also the patron saint of Bulgarian doctors, who are celebrating their professional day today, October 19. The highlight of the celebrations will be the presentation of the Doctor of the Year award this evening at the National Museum of History.

Anaesthesiologist Dr Ivaylo Parev has received the Bulgarian Medical Association’s Special Award for Dedication to the Medical Profession, Ethics and Medical Morality, named after the late Dr Stefan Cherkezov. The young doctor is completing his specialisation at the general hospital in Blagoevgrad. Alongside treating people through medicine, he also helps them as a subdeacon at a church in Razlog.

The fight to save lives in the operating theatre, followed by treatment in intensive care, has been part of his daily routine for more than four years. He has chosen one of the most demanding medical specialities, which faces a chronic shortage of doctors. For more than four years, Dr Ivaylo Parev has been working as an anaesthesiology trainee in the intensive care unit of the hospital in Blagoevgrad.

Dr Ivaylo Parev, anaesthesiologist: “Anaesthesiology is considered one of the most emotionally and time-demanding specialities worldwide. For one thing, the volume of information you need to know and apply in practice is enormous. For another, you sacrifice your personal time, are constantly at work and deal with some of the most serious cases.”

Dr Violeta Dimitrova: “He is an incredible colleague, completely dedicated to his profession. His patients always come first, and I can confidently say that he does his job impeccably. He is an inspiration to me – he is my mentor."

Photos: BNT

The young doctor also helps people through his service in the Church, where he serves as a subdeacon in Razlog.

Dr Ivaylo Parev, anaesthesiologist: “The two things complement each other very well: one heals the body, the other heals the soul. There are many people who need help in both respects.”

A kind word is part of the treatment, the anaesthesiologist says. Faith in God helps both doctors and patients.