Dr. Christoph Schuhmacher, Germany
“I started in 1983, so I was member of the first German-Hungarian course ever. I left Budapest in 1985 after the first two years (Physikum).
Semmelweis University was a great experience and a robust source of knowledge for my life as physician and beyond.
The way of direct contact to the teachers was outstanding. At that time, we received much more than just medical content. It was a certain attitude towards the fundament of medical knowledge and of future life as a doctor, which has an ongoing impact on my daily work (Prof. Szentagothai, Prof. Fonyo and many more).
My contact to Semmelweis itself is quite loose, although I do have contact once in a while and even at work with a former class mate Jürgen Rothe. Interestingly enough, my daughter Maria at present is a student in Budapest and trying to pass the exams of her first year so my Budapest connection is meanwhile quite fixed. I do have some professional contact with a Hungarian physician (Prof. Lang Istvan), Medical Oncologist in Budapest via the European Organisation on Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).
At present I am working in an administrative position at the University Medical Center director’s office in Freiburg.
I serve as co-editor of Gastric Cancer (Tokyo, Springer Journal) and have advisory- and review board memberships at the German federal Ministry of Education and Research. My original subspeciality is surgery with a focus in oncological surgery. Here in terms of scientific engagement, I deal with diseases of the upper GI tract. I hold a certificate in medical business administration and recently qualified as systemic personal and business coach.
Otherwise, I enjoy life ever since!
Best wishes,
Christoph Schuhmacher”
Dr. Maryam Sherman, Kenya
“I graduated on the 4th of July 2009. I am a proud graduate of Semmelweis University, as I see and appreciate now the hardship I had gone through as a student were merely building blocks that have led me to come this far in achieving my goals with strength, willingness, bravery and devotion to my work. As a student I always found it devastating to fail an exam, as the idea of repeating was even scary due to the fear of failing which was always a probability. I have learnt to take in any fear and to always find new solutions when I come across a case with a patient, in operations where I believe my training started in the mind as a student of Semmelweis University. Furthermore, I am proud to be a graduate from Semmelweis especially when I notice how much I have gained in terms of knowledge in comparison to my other colleagues who attended other universities. Due to my training in my university, I find myself always ready to tackle any problem, find solutions and at the same time see medicine in a bigger picture.
I would have loved to keep connections with professors in my university but due to the time constraints as a resident, I rarely have time to search for email addresses and to write. As for old classmates they are easily reached through Facebook, and we try to organise various get-togethers.
I am currently a Neurosurgery resident in Germany. I look forward to moving back to Kenya after my specialization. I love what I do because it’s exciting, risky and one needs to be a responsible quick thinker. My training at Semmelweis has made me into who I have become. I eagerly look forward to achieve my goals I have set for myself in life and to find new innovative ways to help those in need, especially in Africa.
Yours Friendly,
Maryam Sherman”
Dr. Barbara Thom, Germany
“From September 1984 to November 1986 I attended Semmelweis University (back then called SOTE) as a student. Then I was offered to continue my studies at the Freie Universität Berlin and in 1988 I transferred on to the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. Finally I finished my 6th year studies at the University of Chicago. After graduation in 1991, I pursued paediatrics as a specialty. In 1993 my rotation took me to Ganderkesee to a paediatric practice, where I now work with two colleagues, enjoying our work with our patients.
I have an ongoing, intensive exchange with many of my fellow-students from Group 4; we have become very close friends. There are, however, no professional connections to SOTE; it is too far away from the north of Germany.
The strengths of SOTE were – among others – the special situation back then: behind the iron curtain, no easy communication other than letters and rare telephone-conversations, no easy traveling. Also: small groups, intensive tutoring by devoted and special Hungarian tutors as well as a highly motivated selection of very determined fellow-students who helped to focus on the knowledge we wanted to acquire.
I am looking forward to the meeting in everyone 2 weeks.
Greetings,
Barbara Thom”
Dr. Med. Kerstin Ulich-Winkelspecht, Germany
“I studied in Budapest from 1983 until 1985, then changed to Medical University of the Saarland in Homburg/Saar, Germany. I finished studying there 1989 as a MD. I currently work as a gynaecologist in Saarbrücken, Germany.
Having been among the first German students at Semmelweis University, I experienced a perfect organisation, very good, respectful teachers and enjoyed the very traditional, classy institution. I have still close contact to some of my classmates.
I am proud of having been a member of Semmelweis University. I´m looking forward to the upcoming alumni meeting and will enjoy the scientific as well as the social program.
Best regards,
Kerstin ULICH-Winkelspecht”
Dr. Johanna Isar-Baston, Germany
“I graduated in 1989 from Semmelweis University. I really liked the university because we had a very good education, very good teachers and professors and all in all a good learning atmosphere. Some of the University’s strengths are the good education and the experience we gained there. The only negative thing I can remember was that the university atmosphere was more like a school than like a university one.
Nowadays I have neither professional nor personal connection to Semmelweis University. But luckily I still remain in close contact with some of my old classmates from the University.
Currently I work in an office as a gynecologist in a small city near Frankfurt (Main).
Best regards,
Johanna Isar-Baston”
Dr. Ilja Roos, Germany
“Ich habe den vorklinischen Teil meines Studiums an der Semmelweis Universität am 23.06.2008 abgeschlossen und dann an die Universität Heidelberg gewechselt.
Meine Eindrücke von der Zeit an der Semmelweis Uni sind durchweg positiv. Wer darauf Wert legt, etwas wirklich zu verstehen und sozusagen „seinen Kopf als Werkzeug einzusetzen”, dann ist er an der Semmelweis richtig. Die Professoren waren topmotiviert und sehr kompetent. Dafür spricht auch die pünktliche Anwesenheit aller Studenten an den Vorlesungen. Ich fand auch die mündlichen und schriftlichen Testate an der Semmelweis deutlich besser als die anderswo gängigen Multiple Choice Tests, denn während bei letzteren meistens ausreicht, die Antworten auswendig zu lernen, sind die Prüfungen an der Semmelweis Universität eher auf das Verständnis ausgelegt. Statt einer puren Fleißprüfung hatten wir hier immer eine Überprüfung der eigenen tatsächlichen kognitiven Leistung.
Ich profitiere heute noch von dem Basiswissen, welches ich in Budapest bekam. Konkrete Stärken der Uni Semmelweis sind die brillanten Köpfe, die ihr Leben den Wissenschaften hingeben. Die Organisation war trotz geringer Anzahl an Mitarbeitern ebenfalls sehr gut. Als sehr positiv empfand ich, dass der Student in seinem Lerneifer durch nichts behindert worden ist. Beispielweise war es erlaubt, in der Anatomie länger zu bleiben, um die große Auswahl an Präparaten und Leichen zu studieren. Man hatte auch Zugang zu den Laboratorien, um zu sehen, wie dort gearbeitet wird usw. Die Professoren haben uns dabei immer motiviert und unterstützt.
Schwäche liegt ein wenig in der Ausstattung, die nicht immer aktuell war – Man könnte vielleicht die Digitalisierung etwas vorantreiben. Wie ich es aber heute verstehe, ist dieser Zustand nicht unbedingt ausschlaggebend für das Verständnis.
Obwohl wir mittlerweile in unterschiedlichen Teilen Deutschlands leben, habe ich immer noch Kontakt zu einigen Mitgliedern meiner Gruppe. Das gemeinsame Lernen hat uns zusammengeschweißt. Ich besuche in regelmäßigen Abständen auch die Semmelweis Universität – allerdings, da ich mir nicht immer die Zeit aussuchen kann, treffe ich leider nicht alle ProfessorInnen, die ich noch gerne einmal sehen würde. Beruflich habe ich in Budapest keine Verbindungen.
Ich arbeite als Assistenzarzt in der Inneren Medizin aktuell in Heilbronn (Plattenwald). Parallel suche ich nach Möglichkeiten für selbstständiges Arbeiten, wo ich mich sinnvoll und gewinnbringend für alle einsetzen kann.
Ilja Roos”
Dr. Christos Chinopoulos, Hungary
“I graduated in September 1998. I had some of the best years of my life as a medical student. It was hard, but worth it. The strengths of the University are the very good basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry), however, in my opinion the weaknesses are the rather weak applied sciences in teaching (e.g. internal medicine, surgery).
Yes, I am working in the Semmelweis University. I keep connection with some of my classmates through social media (facebook, etc).
I am working in the Semmelweis University, at the Department of Medical Biochemistry. I am an Adjunct Professor, having established an own lab, with the help of funding from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Christos Chinopoulos”
Dr. Thomas Pechacek, Germany
“I did actually graduate twice from Semmelweis University. My first graduation was 1989 in General medicine. My second gradation I did 1992 in Medical Dentistry. Looking back I have to admit, being a student at Semmelweis University was the most terrific time I ever had in my lifetime. In the very beginning of my studies in 1983 everything was new to us being German studying abroad, any language skills at all, we had to manage our lives and the main important: studying medicine. It’s was really more than a challenge for me! However from the very beginning I felt perfectly cared from all of our professors and especially from Frau Fonyo in the secretary department. She was and is indeed the good soul, the mother of all foreign students from Germany attending Semmelweis University. I personally have to admit that the preclinical studies at Semmelweis University have been extraordinary good.
We had a fantastic knowledge in all the main subject after the second year like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry etc. just to mention a few .
Even the Clinical studies have been incomparable, due to very small study groups and very special professors, not giving up explaining us what medicine is about. Looking back I have to give all of my professors credits for their engagement with us.
After all I did my specialization in Maxillofacial surgery in Bern Switzerland and of course I do sill stand in contact with my old classmates.
Nowadays, I am running at private Department of Maxillofacial Surgery in Cologne Germany and I am the head off a Dental Clinic as well.
Last but not least I would like to mention the most important:
I’m very thankful to Semmelweis University and the Hungarian people to have given me the opportunity becoming a doctor of medicine and a doctor of dentistry, and still I’m very proud speaking Hungarian fluently even today.
Best regards,
Thomas Pechacek”
Dr. Eva Bünte-Waggershauser, Germany
“I graduated in 1990 in Berlin and I studied from 1984 to 1986 at Semmelweis University. Semmelweis University will always be a wonderful experience of my professional and personal life.
Our professors were exceptional personalities: they combined scientific excellence with great humanity in a time which was not easy – there was still Soviet-Union. They taught us the love of medicine.
The teaching staff and the secretaries gave us a warmhearted welcome so that we felt at home in Hungary.
Of course I kept contact with my fabulous classmates even if we are spread all over the world. One of my best Hungarian friends is living in Singapore, but Semmelweis University created such strong links between us, that distance doesn’t matter.
I have been working as an ENT Doctor (Ear-Nose-and-Throat) in the French Alps for 15 years now.
My daughter’s biggest wish is to study at Semmelweis University – she saw my “leckekönyv” which I keep preciously in my office.
I am looking forward to meet all of you at the Alumni Reunion.
With special regards,
Dr. Eva Bünte-Waggershauser”
Dr. Emmanuel Egglezos, Belgium
“I graduated from Semmelweis University in 1996. I do have contacts with old classmates but not with the University up to now, due to lack of time from my behalf. I hope this will change after the Alumni meeting.
A major plus point of Semmelweis was the good organization of the studies and the tight study program, besides Budapest as a place to live.
A bit more clinical experience to certain fields of dentistry would be welcome (I am referring to that time).
Currently, I work as periodontist-implantologist in Belgium.
Regards,
Emmanuel Egglezos”
Dr. Janina Tatsios, Singapore
“I graduated in 2002 from SOTE (pre-clinical studies) and continued to complete my studies in Heidelberg/Germany.
As an alumnus, I am proud to say I was granted the possibility to study at Semmelweis Orvostudomány Egyetem – easily one of the best times in my life. Hard study life, but very rewarding on the other hand. Everlasting friendships and lessons for life well learnt!
Positive aspects outweigh by far the negative ones, naming team spirit among fellow students, studying in a foreign country and dealing with an admittedly tough language, having to cope with “Eat little, sleep little, study HARD” (quoting beloved Professor Majorossy) and highly demanding professors, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that retrospectively, we will always treasure our time in Budapest.
I work as an ophthalmologist at the National University Hospital in Singapore.
Couldn’t be more excited about this Alumni meeting!
Janina Tatsios”