Fifteen RSU employees receive Ministry of Health awards

On 8 May, Hosam Abu Meri, Minister of Health, presented Letters of Commendation and Gratitude to healthcare professionals in the Great Hall of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), expressing appreciation for their outstanding work in public health, healthcare, and pharmacy. 

The awards were presented to fifteen of our colleagues, honouring their significant contribution to healthcare, education, and science. 

Recipients of the Ministry of Health Letter of Gratitude 

• Prof. Dr. habil. med. Aigars Pētersons, RSU Rector, Advisor to the Minister of Health on Education and Science in Healthcare, for his contribution to education and science in healthcare. 
• Dr. habil. med. Aivars Vētra, Professor at the RSU Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, for his long-standing, professional work and significant contribution to the development of rehabilitation in Latvia. 
• Dr. med. Smuidra Žermanos, Vice-Dean for International Students, for her contribution to promoting the export potential of medical education. 
• Dr. sc. soc. Kristaps Circenis, Head of the RSU Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, for his significant contribution to the development of the nursing profession, the advancement of nursing education, and the strengthening of the academic environment. 

RSU Letter of Gratitude recipients nominated by other healthcare institutions 

• Ineta Grantiņa, Acting Assistant at the RSU Department of Paediatrics and Medical Director of Children’s Clinical University Hospital, for her contribution to the development of paediatrics and patient-centred care.
• Pēteris Stradiņš, Professor at the RSU Department of Surgery, Head of the Cardiac Surgery Centre at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and cardiac surgeon, for his contribution to strategic development and crisis management at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital.
• Juris Lācis, Chair of the RSU Council, Director of the RSU Clinical Base at North Kurzeme Regional Hospital, and Chair of the Board of the North Kurzeme Regional Hospital, for his contribution to regional healthcare development.
• Anda Mironova, Acting Lecturer at the RSU Department of General Dentistry and dental hygienist, for her long-standing professional work and contribution to oral healthcare.
• PhD Laura Šāberte, Assistant Professor at the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences and Head of the Legal Department of the Health Inspectorate, for her significant contribution to strengthening the legal framework in the healthcare and protecting patient rights.
• Jeļena Daniļenko, Assistant at the RSU Department of Family Medicine, general practitioner and Chief Physician at the Možums-1 Health Centre, for her professional work in healthcare and active involvement in public health promotion and disease prevention.
• Zenons Narbuts, Associate Professor at the RSU Department of Surgery and surgeon at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, for his significant contribution to international cooperation in healthcare.
• Jānis Sokolovs, Acting Assistant at the RSU Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at Children’s Clinical University Hospital, and otolaryngologist, for his professional work and contribution to improving the quality of care for ear, nose, and throat diseases.
• Elita Poplavska, Associate Professor at the RSU Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy and expert at the Drug Registration Department of the State Agency of Medicines, for her significant and sustainable contribution to the work of the State Agency of Medicines, promoting professional development in the pharmaceutical sector, international cooperation, and ensuring the availability of medicines to the Latvian public. 

Recipients of the Ministry of Health Letter of Commendation 

• Jānis Jušinskis, Assistant Professor at the RSU Department of Surgery, Head of the Latvian Transplantation Centre at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and transplant surgeon, for his long-standing and professional contribution to the development of organ transplantation in Latvia.
• Kalvis Briuks, Head of Study Programme Specialisation at the RSU Department of Residency and spinal surgeon, for his long-standing professional work and significant contribution to healthcare. 

The award ceremony is held twice a year – in May and in November ahead of Latvia’s national holidays – to honour the most outstanding professionals in the sector.  

Congratulations to our colleagues on this well-deserved recognition of their work. 

Photo gallery