Former students of the University of Szeged’s Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School and its legal predecessor gathered in Szeged for a joyful anniversary weekend celebrating four decades of English-language medical education in Szeged. Heartfelt reunions, moving moments, cheerful stories, and countless smiles marked the event, as alumni from four continents returned to relive the unforgettable experiences of their student years.
The English-language medical program in Szeged was launched in 1985 at the former Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University (SZOTE), now known as the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School of the University of Szeged. Over the past four decades, nearly two thousand international students have earned their medical degrees here. For this year’s jubilee weekend, 111 guests arrived from 18 countries – graduates accompanied by their partners and families. The very first group of students enrolled in the English-language program was represented by Eileen Mary Szabó, while five graduates from the 2025 group also returned to their alma mater. The forty years that separate the first and most recent groups stand as a powerful symbol of the program’s longevity and enduring impact.
Eileen Mary Szabó
The oldest participant – whose age shall remain a secret – was the mother of Dr. Rajeev Mavath. Dr. Mavath began his studies at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University (SZOTE) and earned his medical degree from the University of Szeged in 2001. At the other end of the spectrum, the youngest attendees were the children of Dr. Eytan Damari – both under the age of three.
Family ties and shared memories made the anniversary weekend all the more special. Two generations were represented by Norwegian orthopedic surgeon Dr. Elin Haarr, a 2000 graduate, and her daughter, Nora Haarr-Jones, now a second-year medical student. The Bozóky family also brought a special touch to the celebration: of the four siblings, two earned their degrees in 2013 and 2015, while the other two are currently studying at the medical school. Another family, Drs. Christiane and Eilon Hirsch – both graduates of SZTE – also returned to the reunion, this time accompanied by their children.
On the first day of Reunion Weekend 40, alumni who have since become distinguished experts in their respective fields held special lectures for fellow professionals. In their talks, they shared not only insights from their careers but also personal reflections on how their years in Szeged shaped their lives. Many recalled that, although their studies had been demanding – especially the oral exams – those challenges ultimately strengthened their confidence, contributed to their success, and fostered lasting personal growth. The speakers also had a clear message for today’s students: don’t shy away from difficulties – every challenge can be overcome, and it is precisely those testing experiences that make you stronger.
The professional program was followed by a reception at City Hall and a celebratory dinner, where current students set the mood with live music. The second day centered on networking and community building: alumni reconnected with their former professors, while family members joined workshops and themed activities.
“One of the highlights of the weekend was the tour of the former Surgery Clinic building – now known as the Ilona Banga Health Sciences Training Center – which today houses several university units, including the Clinical Skills Center,” said Professor Ferenc Peták, chief organizer of the event, deputy dean for international admissions, and chair of the Alumni Committee. “Visitors of all ages had the chance to try out state-of-the-art educational tools, while current students showcased the activities of student organizations. We also held an alumni roundtable, where students from different countries and specialties could speak with graduates about career paths and medical licensing procedures. The day concluded with a gala dinner with music and dancing, attended by faculty members, former staff, and university and medical school leaders accompanied by their partners.”
Special guest speakers added prestige to the anniversary weekend.
At the evening gala dinner, two alumni received special recognition. One of the honorees was Dr. Shilpa Srinivasan, adult and geriatric psychiatrist at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, who leads psychiatric education for senior medical students and serves as program director for geriatric psychiatry training. In 2025, she was named Psychiatrist of the Year by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, and in April 2026 she will take office as the association’s president.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor. The medical training I received at what was then the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University (SZOTE) laid the foundation for my professional career. I not only received an excellent education, but also learned resilience, determination, and perseverance – along with the mindset to advance patient care and clinical research in parallel. Seeing everyone again was incredible! The event was beautifully organized, and I especially appreciated the time dedicated to connecting with fellow alumni and faculty members, as well as the roundtable discussions with current students. And the reception at the beautiful City Hall was a delightful surprise,” emphasized Dr. Srinivasan, who graduated from Szeged in 1996.
Dr. Srinivasan also called attention to the pivotal role her education in Szeged played in shaping her professional path. She noted that her interest in neuroscience first emerged during her years at SZOTE, through psychiatric training led by Professor Zoltán Janka and clinical practice under the supervision of Dr. László Vécsei.
The professor, who now works in the United States, also shared a memorable story connected to her years in Szeged. “I once ran into psychiatrist Professor Zoltán Janka at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in Toronto, Canada. We met in the hotel lobby, and even though nearly two decades had passed since I graduated, I recognized him instantly by his distinctive appearance. I went over to greet him, and to my surprise, he remembered me by name – a true testament to his remarkable memory. It was wonderful to meet him again at the reunion brunch in Szeged and to reconnect professionally after so many years.”
“I also vividly remember a moment with another beloved professor, Dr. László Vécsei from the Department of Neurology, just before my oral exam. I was terrified of drawing a particular topic and prayed fervently for luck. As fate would have it, I drew exactly the one I had hoped to avoid. Still, I managed to pull myself together and passed. I shared this story with Professor Vécsei when we met at the alumni brunch, and we both had a good laugh about it,” recalled Dr. Shilpa Srinivasan.
Dr. Benedek Bozóky (center, in a light-colored shirt) and his family share multiple ties to the English-language medical program in Szeged.
Dr. Benedek Bozóky said he was deeply touched by the recognition:
“Honestly, I was completely surprised to receive this award – especially after meeting so many outstanding, internationally recognized alumni from around the world during the reunion,” he recalled. “That’s why I accepted it with such joy and deep gratitude. It means a great deal to me that the committee acknowledged and valued my efforts to support the international alumni community.”
Reflecting on the weekend itself, he added:
“It was a fantastic experience – we spent three wonderful and truly enjoyable days in Szeged. The programs were engaging, and the organization was flawless. It was uplifting to reconnect with our former professors, classmates, and the staff of the International Office, all of whom helped make our university years so memorable. It was also inspiring to see how medical education has progressed and to visit the impressive new Clinical Skills Center.”
He also shared his thoughts on the significance of the international program:
“I consider the program in Szeged an excellent opportunity for both academic and personal growth. Students coming from all corners of the world create a uniquely multicultural environment. Being far from our families and former friends, we form especially strong bonds and lifelong friendships as we navigate our university years together.”
Many alumni returned to Szeged with their families.
From a professional perspective, the awardee highlighted two defining experiences from his student years. The first was an oncology course that immediately sparked his interest in the field. To this day, he remains grateful to his instructors for their enthusiasm and expertise, which inspired him to choose oncology as his career path. The second was the university’s strong support for student research. Participating in events organized by the Association for Student Research (TDK) encouraged him to engage in research early on and laid the foundation for his later academic career.
“Last but not least, the medical university in Szeged is also a ‘family legacy’ for me. My father and sister graduated here, and two of my younger siblings are currently studying at the university, so our alma mater holds great significance for our entire family. During the reunion, we even met a Japanese doctor who, decades later, still remembered my father, who had taught him pathology. It was wonderful to see that the memories and connections tied to the University of Szeged continue to live on across generations,” Dr. Benedek Bozóky shared.
On the final day of the reunion, guests enjoyed a river cruise and a guided walking tour of downtown Szeged – a fitting close to a weekend that was a resounding success.
According to Dr. Ferenc Peták, much of the event’s success was due to the dedicated work of Andrea Lehocki Balog, Head of the Admissions Office at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, and Vanda Varga, Alumni Coordinator. Both played essential roles not only in planning and organizing the program but also in fostering the warm, family-like atmosphere that defined the celebration.
The event has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback – participants especially praised its welcoming, close-knit atmosphere, the impeccable organization, and the hospitality of Szeged, which they said would leave a lasting impression.
“This weekend proved that Szeged is not only a place where we became doctors, but also a community to which we will always be glad to return.”
Original Hungarian article by Ferenc Lévai
Photos by Ádám Kovács-Jerney
