Honored Lithuanian Medical Professionals Awarded
On May 8, the traditional Honored Lithuanian Medical Workers Awards, organized for the 21st time by the Ministry of Health (SAM), took place at the National Kaunas Drama Theatre. This year, the event was held at the intersection of two significant dates: April 27 – Lithuanian Medical Workers' Day, and May 12 – International Nurses Day.
For their contributions to the healthcare system, Minister Marija Jakubauskienė awarded honorary insignias to 23 doctors, 22 nurses, and 11 other healthcare workers from across the country. Additionally, 23 medical professionals received letters of appreciation from Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas.
Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, while congratulating the gathered medical professionals and healthcare workers, asked them to pass on her warmest wishes and heartfelt thanks to their colleagues and teams for choosing such a vital and responsible profession, and for their dedication to it.
“This evening is dedicated to you – those gathered here – the best of the best, to thank you – the people – whose calling each day is to save health and lives, to ease pain, and to bring hope. Your work is not only the application of medical knowledge, but also humanity, patience, and supporting people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Whether it’s a consultation with a family doctor, a nurse’s smile, a night shift by an emergency team, or a complex surgical operation – each of you contributes to a great and meaningful mission. The medical profession is not just an education or a job. It is a calling that requires knowledge, strong will, inner strength, and deep compassion,” said M. Jakubauskienė.
Advisor Vaidas Augustinavičius, who delivered the greeting on behalf of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, thanked medical workers for selflessly dedicating their time and energy each day to writing the history of healthcare.
"At a time when artificial intelligence, telemedicine, genetic testing, and personalized treatment are paving the way to healthcare institutions, it is you who ensure that all these innovations become concrete help for patients. Technology is an excellent tool, but the true backbone of medicine is your knowledge, intuition, and empathy," as stated in the greeting from the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas presented letters of appreciation to 23 medical professionals from across the country and, in his congratulatory speech, emphasized that the responsibility for health lies not only with doctors, but they often bear the greatest responsibility and the task of providing help when disaster strikes.
"Probably everyone, myself included, as a child felt joy when a fairy tale ended with the words 'and they lived happily ever after.' But as the years go by, we come to understand that this alone is not enough — that health is a vital component of a long and happy life. Of course, responsibility for our health does not lie solely with medical professionals. We ourselves are responsible too — through our habits, lifestyle, and daily choices. Yet we often take a superficial approach to our health, don’t always heed medical advice, and only take real action when faced with serious problems. We, as politicians, are also responsible for health — we have the duty to allocate resources, ensure quality working conditions, and provide modern treatment tools and technologies. But as we know, politicians always work within the limits of finite resources, and in the search for compromise, the most effective solutions are not always reached. That is why today I thank you, Lithuania’s medical professionals, because it is you who often bear the greatest responsibility — even though it should be carried by all of us. Thank you to the entire medical community, to health specialists, to the heads of medical institutions, and to all those who care for the health of individuals and of society," said the Prime Minister.
A total of 81 distinguished medical professionals from across the country were honored. This year, the Ministry of Health (SAM) received around 250 applications from all regions of Lithuania for this prestigious award. Nominees for these highest honors within the medical community were selected based on their long-standing and exemplary service, selflessness, and courage in saving lives; their significant contributions to the development of healthcare; promotion of healthy lifestyles; enhancement of Lithuania’s reputation as a healthy nation; and the mentoring of the next generation of medical professionals. Recognition was also given for training highly qualified healthcare specialists, implementing innovative and sustainable management solutions in healthcare institutions, and fostering and expanding international cooperation.
For their courage and professionalism shown in the line of duty when they saved a human life, Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė presented letters of appreciation to pharmacist Agata Paurytė, working in Vilnius, and pharmacist Lina Ramanauskienė from Plungė.
The honorary titles of Distinguished Doctors and Healthcare Workers have been awarded since 2004, while the title of Distinguished Lithuanian Nurse has been granted since 2015. This celebration is intentionally held between two important dates for the medical community: Lithuanian Medical Workers’ Day on April 27 and International Nurses Day on May 12.
PHOTO GALLERIES CAN BE FOUND HERE (photos by BNS/E. Ovčarenko) AND HERE (photos by the Government/L. Penek)
Last updated: 15-05-2025
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