Szeged University Medical Alumni Association

https://www.med.u-szeged.hu/english/2026/robotic-surgery-arrives?objectParentFolderId=75834

Robotic Surgery Arrives at SZTE A Szegedi Tudományegyetem honlapja. Hírek, információk jelentkezőknek, hallgatóknak, munkatársainknak és partnereinknek.

https://www.med.u-szeged.hu/english/2026/endoscopic-spinal

Endoscopic Spinal Surgery: SZTE Introduces a Pioneering Procedure A Szegedi Tudományegyetem honlapja. Hírek, információk jelentkezőknek, hallgatóknak, munkatársainknak és partnereinknek.

Need an anatomy atlas? Looking for an English-language newspaper? Want to call home without running up an enormous phone bill?

Long before smartphones, Wi-Fi, and social media, students relied on a different kind of survival guide. Compiled by students for students, this EPSU (English Program Student Union) guidebook from the 1990's offered practical advice on everything new first-year students would find new, unusual or challenging.

Some of the tips may seem like ancient history today, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into everyday student life in Szeged three decades ago. While the practical advice has changed over the years, the idea behind it hasn't: making life a little easier for those who come after you.

Which tip brings back the strongest memories?

https://www.med.u-szeged.hu/news-and-events/2026/precision-robotics-opens?objectParentFolderId=75834

Precision Robotics Opens a New Chapter in Arrhythmia Care at SZTE Hungary’s first robotic center dedicated to the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has begun operating at the University of Szeged. Compared with conventional systems, the new stereotactic robotic system offers patients a safer and more precise form of intervention. This world-class technology is be...

A Lifetime Dedicated to the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School - Professor Árpád Gecse Celebrates His 90th Birthday

https://www.med.u-szeged.hu/english/2026/lifetime-dedicated-to?objectParentFolderId=75834

https://www.med.u-szeged.hu/english/2026/international-consortium?objectParentFolderId=75834

International consortium led by the University of Szeged awarded a 6.8 million euro grant to conduct research on invasive fungal infections A Szegedi Tudományegyetem honlapja. Hírek, információk jelentkezőknek, hallgatóknak, munkatársainknak és partnereinknek.

Cardiac surgeons at the University of Szeged are the first in Europe to implant a bioprosthetic heart valve

The Department of Cardiac Surgery at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center of the University of Szeged was the first in Europe—and the third in the world—to perform an innovative surgical procedure in which a vascular prosthesis containing a special biologically derived heart valve was implanted in two young patients suffering from congenital heart disease.

What makes this procedure novel is that Dr. Gábor Bari, department head and assistant professor, and Dr. Sándor Varga, assistant professor did not implant the bioprosthetic heart valve in its original anatomical location as specified by the manufacturer, but rather in a different position. This innovative solution is expected to provide more lasting results for patients, reduce the need for subsequent heart surgeries, and contribute to improving their quality of life in the long term.

The procedure was performed on two young patients who, due to their congenital heart disease, had undergone multiple heart surgeries since childhood. Shortly after the surgery, both patients reported feeling excellent and shared their experience. They said they feel significantly better following the procedure and are confident that this new solution will ensure proper heart function for many years to come.

The new biological valve is made of bovine pericardium. Thanks to a special manufacturing process, the valve triggers minimal local inflammatory response and accumulates very little calcium, so it is expected to function properly for a longer period of time.

Dr. Gábor Bari was introduced to this new device in 2025 during a professional visit to California at a presentation by one of the world’s oldest valve manufacturers. The specialists in Szeged subsequently developed this new application, which allows the vascular prosthesis to be implanted not in its original anatomical location but in a different position.

A special regulatory approval was required to perform the procedure, but thanks to their scientifically validated professional justification, the Hungarian authorities granted the so-called ’deviation permit.’ Thus, barely 10 months after the manufacturer unveiled the new device, specialists at the University of Szeged had already successfully performed the first implantations in Europe.

Dr. Gábor Bari emphasized that for patients with congenital heart disease, every additional open-heart surgery significantly increases the risk of complications; therefore, a key goal is to use state-of-the-art, long-term solutions that can reduce the number of future procedures.

Every graduate has a unique story to tell. Today, we look back with a member of the Class of 2001, who shares memories of university life, friendships, and the experiences that helped shape both a career in medicine and a lifelong connection to Szeged. Meet Rajeev R. Mavath who is currently working for the Department of Public Health in the USA👏

Why did you choose Szeged/ Hungary in the first place? How did you get to know about the university?

I transferred to Szeged prior to the second year after completing my first year in Debrecen. I had heard of Szeged from other students and liked the city and university better than Debrecen.

When you started the Medical School in Szeged, did you need to take an entrance exam? How did it go?

No, I didn't.

Did you stay in the dormitory or a rented flat?

I rented an apartment on Boldogasszony Sgt. 13 and my landlords, Gyula bácsi and Bubi néni became another set of parents for me.

How was your relationship with the teachers/professors? Compared to nowadays, was it more or less formal?

It was always formal. Professor Benedek made it clear to us on the first day of class how we should greet and interact with any of the teaching staff when we are in their presence. I would even practice clicking my heels and bowing just to be safe. I can still do that to this day. I met Prof Szabad and Prof Dux, both of whom I consider my heroes, during the reunion. They treated me like a colleague during the meetings, but I still felt like a know nothing student in front of them.

How did you feel during your stay in Szeged/ Hungary? (lonely, isolated, homesick, great etc. why?) How was the atmosphere of the city/ country?

I fell in love with Szeged within a short time. It was a perfect size and disposition for someone like me. It has plenty of European charm with cafes and is very walkable. Generally, my time in Szeged and Hungary in general was the happiest time in my life. It was the place where I really grew into an adult.

How did you spend your free-time/weekends? Did you have an active social life?

I didn't have much of a social life for the first three years of school. Things became somewhat more relaxed after third year. That said, my classmates became my best friends! We became like family. We would get together for dinner during the weekends, or we may go to Budapest when our schedules allowed for it. I even got to travel to Italy during one of the student organized trips.

Did you have any contact with the Hungarian students?

I got to meet a few of the Hungarian students through my work with the student government work. We would share notes or meet to organize specific events. I became friends with Palotas Andras, and we have remained best friends for well over 25 years. I got to meet him and his entire family during the reunion.

Can you recall some of your best/worst experiences at the university or some funny stories?

My worst experience was my anatomy final in second year. It was a 10-hour long marathon which still brings me nightmares even after all these years. I was never so grateful for that pressure cooker to finally end. It began and ended with Prof Zsolt Li posits yelling and insulting me that he would never forget me because I didn't respond correctly with the crypts of Lieberkühn during my histology questioning. Of course, who keeps track of such things. Not me!

My best experiences were the times I spent with my classmates during and after classes. It was the camaraderie we established while being forged into doctors in the crucible that always brings smiles to my face. An example of that is as follows. I remember we were waiting for Pathophysiology practicum during Third year. The song, Don't Speak, by the group, No Doubt, had just been released and it became popular very quickly. One student would start humming or voicing the lyrics, “You and me ..," and before they could finish with the rest of the stanza, there would be a chorus of different accents and singing ability joining in. For a short while, our troubles and worries disappeared, and we could just enjoy a moment together and support.

What would you do differently if you could (regarding your university years)?

I would study smarter. I would have organized my study schedule in a different way. I would have tried to engage my teachers more after classes to gain from their experience an. I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is that the University leadership expected us to be robots who should not be seen or heard, but to be their shadows. We waste so much time memorizing facts rather than understanding the physiological and clinical relevance of what those facts mean. Yes, the facts are the foundation of Medicine. But expecting our students to regurgitate the exact wording during hospital ward questioning or final exams we feed them during lectures or provided notes, somehow creates a thinking that is missing something.

The longer I have been in Medicine, the more I have come to value the functional knowledge and capabilities of my teachers and colleagues (many who are younger than I am). The patient is the most important element of our profession. They are why we exist. My thinking now, especially since I had to become a cancer patient as well as my parents' care giver during their health issues, I want to be the Doctor and be surrounded by those who know what they are doing.

Do you keep in touch with your ex-classmates?

Absolutely! They are my brothers and sisters. My life wouldn't be complete without them.

Can you tell us about your most memorable class or best teacher?

Too many to list. Prof Laszlo Dux, Prof Benedek, Prof Szabad, Prof Lantos, Prof Pusztai (Microbiology), Prof Engelhardt (Neurology), Prof Ringler, the late Prof Fischer (Biochem), etc. The entire Internal Medicine and Professor of Radiology. Forgive me that I can't remember everyone's name or list you all.

What skills or knowledge did you learn at the university that you found most useful in your career?

Being the best isn't good enough! That is the starting point.

How did your medical career start after graduation?

With surprise. I was diagnosed with a highly aggressive, treatment resistant lymphoma on Match Day. Others chose what field of medicine they would work in for the rest of their lives. I got to choose how I intended to live and die during the remaining days of my life.

What made you choose the specialty you did? How was your residency?

I chose Public Health and Viral Epidemiology. My residency was working as a budding government health minister during an Ebola outbreak and spread in West Africa, a worldwide Pandemic in SARS 2-COVID, and taking care of patients dealing with the world's longest pandemic, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.
Where do you work now?

I work in South Carolina Department of Public Health in the USA.

Can you still remember some words in Hungarian?

Igen, egy kicsit.

Have you visited Szeged since your graduation?

Yes. For the reunion in 2025.

Do you have any messages to current students studying in Szeged?

Remember two adages. Adage 1: What do you call the person who graduates first and last from medical school? A Doctor! The second adage is most important. Doctors must understand the very foundation concepts of each subject AND be able to use those concepts in real time in clinical situations. Knowledge and taking care of patients is the ultimate test. That is pass/fail and non negotiable.

Also, a dentist is a person who couldn't get into medical school and still wants to be called a "doctor."

Today's spotlight: the Class of 2001