Sixth School of Medicine Day Celebrated at the Catholic University of Croatia

On Monday, September 29, the Catholic University of Croatia solemnly marked the sixth School of Medicine Day, celebrated in an atmosphere of fellowship among students, faculty members, and numerous distinguished guests from the healthcare and academic sectors.
 

The celebration commenced with the celebration of Holy Mass led by Rev. Matko Filipović, spiritual director of the Interdiocesan Seminary in Zagreb, concelebrated by Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity, and Mission Prof. Ante Crnčević, PhD, Prof. Jerko Valković, PhD, from the University Department of Communication Studies, and University Chaplain Rev. Branimir Jagodić. In his homily, Rev. Filipović emphasized that in this gathered community of medical students and faculty, it is essential to remember that, alongside knowledge and skills, one must place oneself and one’s relationship with God before Him, trusting in His guidance during the most difficult moments—whether personal, academic, or professional, particularly when a human life rests in a physician's hands.
 

The ceremony was attended by deans of other university faculties, heads of university departments, members of the Senate and Faculty Councils, as well as directors of partner healthcare institutions—including the directors of UHC Sestre Milosrdnice, UH Sveti Duh, the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", the director of the Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine, heads of specialized hospitals from Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Sisak, directors of primary healthcare centers and polyclinics, and the President of the Croatian Medical Association, Prof. Željko Krznarić, MD, PhD. A special welcome was extended to the faculty and to the students across all six cohorts of the School of Medicine.
 

Introductory remarks were delivered by Prof. Ante Crnčević, PhD, Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity, and Mission, who noted:

"We celebrate the sixth Day of our university's School of Medicine with immense pride, as we guide our inaugural cohort of students onto the final stretch of their integrated undergraduate and graduate medical studies. Stepping forward as pioneers along a path no one has walked before requires courage, determination, trust, and humility. You had no older peers to share their experiences, guide you through professors and courses, or advise you on exams and challenges ahead. You forged that path yourselves. I dare say the journey you have undertaken mirrors the true essence of medical studies: it continually demands the virtues of courage, resolve, clarity of purpose, and humility," Crnčević concluded.
 

The Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof. Dalibor Karlović, MD, PhD, addressed the gathering, stating:

"I would like to dedicate these brief remarks primarily to our students. I extend a special greeting to the students of our integrated undergraduate and graduate medical studies—from our freshmen, who comprise our sixth cohort, to our proud first cohort, now sixth-year students. Today, the School has a total of 264 students. Our program has now come full circle, and our most senior cohort will graduate this summer to become the very first medical doctors educated at our institution. To our inaugural graduating class, I want to say: you did not merely break the ice; you built the foundations of this School and will forever remain inscribed in its history. When you receive your diplomas and take the Hippocratic Oath this summer, you will not only be the pride of your families, but living proof of a new era of Croatian medicine emerging here at the Catholic University of Croatia."
 

As part of the ceremony, awards and recognitions were presented to students for their achievements during the past academic year. The Dean’s Award for Best Academic Performance was presented to first-year student Ivona Knežević with a weighted GPA of 4.719, second-year student Klara Šanko with a GPA of 5.000, third-year student Franka Gašparović with a GPA of 4.912, fourth-year student Nika Brašnić with a GPA of 4.596, and fifth-year student Karla Pehar with a GPA of 5.000. The "St. Vincent de Paul" Recognition for Community Service went to Dušica Kasun for the notable participation of a student cohort at the 4th Symposium on Diabetes, Cardiology, Nutrition, and Endocrinological Oncology. For the first time, the Award for Best Published Student Scientific Paper was presented to a team of fifth-year students comprising Kristina Jurković, Danijela Jurić, Karla Pehar, Jana Buzuk, Bianka Dujić, and Sara Vuković. The Dean's Special Recognition for the organization of the scientific conference "In Medias" was awarded to the student organizing team consisting of Marin Tučić, Mirjam Šarac, Lara Herceg, Natanael Modrušan, and Luca Pecoraro.

On behalf of all student laureates, Franka Gašparović gave an address of thanks, emphasizing: "Some poured their dedication into academic excellence, some into scientific research, and others into the time they gave to their community and peers. The beauty of this day lies in celebrating the diverse ways students leave a mark, rather than honoring just one form of success. One of the most vital skills as a student is not knowing everything, but never ceasing to seek the answer. Thank you to our professors and mentors for your knowledge, patience, and for all the questions to which we did not initially know the answers—because of them, we learned far more in the end."

Recognitions for excellence were also conferred upon faculty members. According to the results of student evaluation surveys, awards for top-rated instructors were presented to Prof. Tamara Holjevac Grgurić, PhD (Year I), Asst. Prof. Velibor Puzović, MD, PhD (Year II), Asst. Prof. Ozren Vinter, MD, PhD (Year III), Assoc. Prof. Ante Silić, MD, PhD (Year IV), and Assoc. Prof. Ivan Milas, MD, PhD (Year V). Furthermore, a Special Recognition for publishing five scientific papers in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences was presented to Prof. Maja Jazvinšćak Jembrek, PhD. On behalf of the awarded faculty members, Assoc. Prof. Ante Silić, MD, PhD, expressed gratitude to the gathering.