Prof. Petko Karagyozov Named Sofia's Physician of the Year 2025

The Sofia Regional Medical Association honored prominent medical professionals during a formal ceremony on the occasion of April 7 – World Health Day and the professional holiday of healthcare workers. The event brought together representatives of the medical community, institutions, and partners to pay tribute to the physicians of the capital.

The highest honor, “Physician of Sofia,” was awarded to Prof. Petko Karagyozov, MD, PhD – a leading specialist in gastroenterology and Head of the Clinic of Gastroenterology at Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital. He is among the established names in interventional endoscopy, with active international involvement and contributions to the development of modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Awards were also presented in several other categories. Assoc. Prof. Spas Spaskov, MD, PhD, was honored for his overall contribution to medicine. In the “For the Good” category, the awards went to Acad. Hristo Grigorov and Prof. Krasimir Gigov, MD, PhD. The “Young Physician of Sofia” prize was awarded to Dr. Boris Gavrilov, Dr. Boris Stoilov, Dr. Nikolay Valchev, and Dr. Maria Stamboliyska.

In the “Innovation in Medicine” category, the awardees were Dr. Vanya Mitova and Dr. Ivan Martinov, while Prof. Vasil Traykov, MD, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Stefanov, MD, PhD, were recognized for their contributions to their respective specialties. Awards for contribution to the medical profession were given to Dr. Gergana Nikolova, Prof. Zheni Staykova, MD, PhD, and Dr. Yuri Zhechev. The “Health Manager of Sofia” distinction was presented to Dr. Valentin Dimitrov.

The official guest of the ceremony was the Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Mikhail Okoliyski, who congratulated the physicians on their professional holiday.

During the event, the Chairman of the Sofia Regional Medical Association, Dr. Asen Medzhidiev, announced the establishment of a new scholarship for orphans and semi-orphans of physicians. He emphasized that one of the primary goals of the association is to expand opportunities for continuing education and specializations for young doctors, including through courses abroad and by attracting international lecturers to Bulgaria.

An emotional highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of drawings created by children from Petrich, Kardzhali, and Gotse Delchev, who were examined by Sofia-based doctors as part of the “Children’s Health” program. All honored medical professionals received these drawings as a symbolic gesture of gratitude – a sign of appreciation from the children and their families toward the medical profession.