The nine winners of the 11th International Medis Awards for Medical Research (IMA) were announced at a gala ceremony at Ljubljana Castleon Thursday, 13 March 2025. Nataša Pirc Musar, PhD, President of the Republic of Slovenia, was the honorary speaker at the ceremony. Already for the eleventh year, the contest awards outstanding research achievements by doctors and pharmacists from eleven countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

The winners of the 11thInternational Medis Awards for Medical Research are (in alphabetical order of fields):

  • Damian Meyersburg, MD, Dermatology
  • Marija Rovčanin, MD, PhD, Gynecology
  • Martin Balík, MD, PhD, Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesiology
  • Hana Mojžišová, MD,PhD, Neurology
  • Juraj Timkovič, MD, PhD, Ophthalmology
  • Alja Kavčič, MD, PhD, Pediatrics
  • Dragana Milaković, MPharm, Pharmacy
  • Aleksandra Plavšić, MD, PhD, Pulmonology and Allergology
  • Ana Banko, MD, PhD, Rheumatology

Nataša Pirc Musar, PhD, President of the Republic of Slovenia, was the honorary speaker at the ceremony:

This project demonstrates that Slovenia can and should play an important role in recognising and promoting cutting-edge science across Central and Eastern Europe. This not only contributes to Slovenia's reputation as a hub of scientific thought but also fosters the development of the region, strengthens cooperation among researchers and builds bridges between countries.

Nataša Pirc Musar, PhD, President of the Republic of SloveniaNataša Pirc Musar, PhD, President of the Republic of Slovenia

As a cultural and geographical bridge between Central and Eastern Europe, Slovenia has a unique opportunity to take the lead in promoting the scientific community, points out Madam President.

In this digital age, where we increasingly retreat into our own information bubbles, it is precisely scientific collaboration that facilitates knowledge exchange, fosters innovation and strengthens trust among people and nations. The best ideas are born from communication and collaboration within a community – and you, the International Medis Award winners, are proof that partnership and cooperation lead to outstanding achievements,

also adds the President of the Republic of Slovenia.

Tone Strnad, MSc Pharm, Founder of the International Medis Awards and the company Medis, said at the ceremony:

The International Medis Awards have become a proud tradition, growing in prestige and recognition each year. We established these Awards eleven years ago at Medis’ twenty-fifth anniversary. Our goal was to promote the achievements of medical doctors and pharmacists who were conducting research alongside their daily work with patients. It is inspiring to see how this vision has grown.


From left: Tone Strnad, MPharm, founder of the International Medis Awards and the company Medis, Maja Strnad Cestar, MPharm, Medis CEO, Professor Dr. Borut Štrukelj, MPharm, President of the International Scientific Committee, Dr. Martina Perharič, MPharm, Medis CBO

High Criteria for Nomination

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

For the eleventh time, the International Scientific Committee has reviewed outstanding scientific papers. This year, we expanded the initiative to include authors from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I congratulate all the authors whose research has met the high standards required for publication in the most prestigious scientific journals, and I encourage all of them to continue their scientific work in the future.

The 11th International Medis Awards were open to doctors and pharmacists who had published their scientific research papers in reputable scientific publications with an impact factor higher than 1.500. This year, 251 entries were received from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Serbia. 197 applications met all the high criteria for nominations for the International Medis Awards.


Professor Dr. Borut Štrukelj, MPharm, President of the International Scientific Committee,


Martina Perharič, MSc Pharm, PhD, Medis CBO, highlighted the crucial role of scientific research in the CEE region:

Scientific research is a demanding path, full of challenges. It becomes even more difficult when professionals combine research with clinical practice – which, in our region, where funding and opportunities for scientific development are limited, represents an even greater challenge. That is why it is so important to recognize the achievements and strengthen the reputation of doctors and pharmacists who are making a significant contribution to the development of new treatment options for patients.
 

Commitment to Long-Term Support for Scientific Research in the Region

Maja Strnad Cestar, MSc, Medis CEO, explains why the company supports this contest:

Medis has been working with leading global pharmaceutical companies for 35 years to bring new innovative treatments to 19 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Our goal is to ensure equality of therapies for patients, regardless of which country they come from. By supporting medical research through these Awards, we help to promote research in medicine, create a more optimistic environment for science and increase confidence in science. And finally, we believe that these actions will ultimately lead to discoveries that will benefit humanity worldwide.
 

Watch the Awards Ceremony of the 11th International Medis Awards for Medical Research