Rector

Prof. Béla MERKELY MD, PhD
Rector

Born
June 28, 1966, Budapest

Scientific degrees

• 2011: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC)
• 2006: Doctorate of Science (DSc) “Pathomechanisms of tachyarrhythmias and new electrophysiological non-pharmacological treatment methods”
• 2006: Habilitation Semmelweis University (Cardiology)
• 2001: Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
• 1999: PhD degree. “Experimental and clinical investigation of the mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias”

Current position

• President – Cardiology Section of Professional College (since 2023)
• Chairman – Department of Aviation and Space Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University (since 2022)
• Rector – Semmelweis University (since 2018)
• Director and Chair – Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center (since 2012)
• Professor, Subject Manager – Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University (since 2013)
• Director – Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center (since 2012)
• President – Cardiology Council of Professional College (since 2011)
• Head of the Departmental Group – Department of Cardiology and Vascular Neurology Departmental Group, Semmelweis University (since 2009)
• Professor of Medicine – Semmelweis University (since 2008)
• Head of the Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University (since 2007)

Schools

• 2013-2014: Master of Science in Health Care Management, Faculty of Health and Public Administration, Health Service Management Training Center, Semmelweis University 
• 2006-2009: Health Care Manager, Health Service Management Training Center, Semmelweis University
• 1984-1991: Doctor of Medicine (summa cum laude), Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University (then Semmelweis University of Medicine)
• 1986-1991: Member of the Students’ Scientific Association, then Demonstrator, Department of Pathophysiology; holder of the Scholarship of the Hungarian Republic
• 1980-1984: Mihály Táncsics High School

Postgraduate training

• 2022: GCP training
• 2018: GCP training
• 2017: Licence in transesophageal echocardiography
• 2017: Licence in transthoracic echocardiography
• 2017: Specialization exam in sport medicine
• 2015: Specialization exam in clinical pharmacology
• 2015: GCP training
• 2014: MSc in Manager in Health Economics, Semmelweis University, Health Service Management Training Center
• 2013: Certified obesitologist
• 2009: Manager in Health Economics, Semmelweis University
• 2009: Interventional Cardiologist license – expert level
• 2007: EHRA Cardiac Pacing and ICD Accreditation-Device Therapy
• 2007: Arrhythmology license – Invasive Electrophysiology
• 2007: Arrhythmology license – Device therapy (PM, ICD, CRT)
• 2005: Lipidology exam
• 1998: Specialization exam in cardiology
• 1996: Specialization exam in internal medicine
• 1991: Medical Doctor (summa cum laude), Semmelweis University of Medicine

Language skills

• English: Type C – Intermediate
• German: Type A – Advanced; Type C – Intermediate

Grants

• 2022-2023: Thematic Excellence Programme (TKP2021-NVA-12):  Telemetric follow-up and care of patients with pacemaker and ICD implantation
• 2022-2025: Thematic Excellence Programme (TKP2021-NKTA-46): Healthy nation – Safety and effectiveness in competitive and leisure sports
• 2021-2022: Thematic Excellence Programme (TKP2021-EGA funding scheme) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology in Hungary, TKP2021-EGA-23 project (Translational research and innovations for the diagnostics and therapy of ischemic heart disease and its comorbidities) of Semmelweis University
• 2021-2022: Thematic Excellence Programme (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology in Hungary, Bioimaging thematic programme of Semmelweis University (NKFIH-1277-2/2020)
• 2020-2024: Investigation of the cardiac aspects of athlete performance NKFIH K_20 “OTKA” Research grant call 135076
• 2021-2022: Thematic Excellence Programme 2021 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2021); Therapeutic Development
• 2021-2022: Thematic Program of Excellence 2021 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020); BIOImaging Theme
• 2020-2021: Thematic Excellence Programme 2020 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020); Therapeutic Development
• 2020-2021: Thematic Program of Excellence 2020 (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020); BIOImaging Theme
• 2019-2020: Thematic Excellence Programme 2019 (TIP2019); BIOImaging Theme
• 2019-2020: Program for Institutional Excellence in Higher Education 2019 (FIKP2019); Therapeutic Development
• 2018-2019: Program for Institutional Excellence in Higher Education 2018 (FIKP2018); Therapeutic Development
• 2016-2019: National Heart Program – Research and Innovation in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease and Heart Failure (NVKP_16-1-2016-0017)
• 2016-2020: Experimental and clinical investigation of short- and long-term cardiovascular effects of professional sport (NKTH OTKA K 120277)
• 2014-2017: Budapest-CRT Upgrade Principial Investigator initiated trial (unrestricted grant of Boston Scientific; 1.060.000 Euro)
• 2013-2017: EU FP 7 Grant: „Diagnostic Imaging Strategies for Patients with Stable Chest Pain and Intermediate Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: Comparative Effectiveness Research of Existing Technologies” (DISCHARGE, FP7-Health-2012.2.4-2, project no: 603226)
• 2013-2017: EU FP 7 Grant: „Comparative Effectiveness Research to Access the Use of Primary ProphylacTic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Europe” (EU-CERT-ICD, project no: 602299)
• 2012-2016: Remodelling and reverse remodelling in heart failure – experimental models and human studies (project director)
• 2008-2010: Bridge of Semmelweis – scientific tender supported by the European Union (“Project of TÁMOP”), project director
• 2007-2011: Clinical and experimental study on heart failure associated with arrhythmias
• 2007: Studying the pathomechanism of heart failure; new prospects for an optimal resynchronisation therapy
• 2006-2008: Analysis of the pathomechanisms in heart failure; pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment facilities
• 2001-2005: Clinical and experimental investigations on the prevention options and mechanisms of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, study director
• 2001-2004: The role of endothelin-1 in the pathogenesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Clinical and experimental investigations, study director
• 2000-2002: Examining the role of endothelin in different pathophysiological conditions
• 2000-2001: In vivo studies on the influencing factors in the development of clinical and experimental tachyarrhythmias, study director
• 1997-1999: Examination of the pathomechanism of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, study director
• 1997-1999: Experimental electrophysiological analysis of major ventricular arrhythmias, study director
• 1994-1996: Electrophysiological examination of major ventricular arrhythmias, study director

Awards

• 2024: Doctor Honoris Causa of the Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• 2024: Honorary Professor of Central South University, China
• 2024: Honorary Professor of Óbuda University, Hungary
• 2024: Honorary citizen of Budapest’s District II
• 2024: Honorary Diploma of the Bulgarian Society of Cardiology for exceptional service to cardiology in Bulgaria
• 2023: Gold medal of the Cardiology Society of Serbia for humanitarian aid in the treatment of cardiac patients, excellence in practical and scientific achievements, the introduction of new technologies in the diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and organizational improvement of cardiology
• 2023: Imre Zárday Memorial Medal
• 2022: Honorary Doctor of the Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania
• 2022: Honorary Citizen of the municipality of Iasi, Romania
• 2022: Honorary Doctor of the University of Trnava, Slovakia
• 2021: Dr. István Orbán Memorial Medal of the National Association of Hungarian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers for his work supporting the recognition, maintenance, and strengthening of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry on the domestic and international scene
• 2021: Honorary Doctor of the University of Veterinary Medicine
• 2021: Lions Fair Play Award, for his decade-long participation in goodwill services
• 2021: Széchenyi Prize, recognizing the outstanding contribution to academic life in Hungary
• 2021: Man of the Year, Figyelő – for his outstanding professional work in 2020 and his activities protecting the Hungarian population
• 2019: Honorary Doctor of “Vasil Goldis” Western University of Arad, Romania
• 2019: Honorary Member of the Serbian Society of Cardiology
• 2019: Certificate of Recognition for the Heart Transplantation Working Group of the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University in recognition of outstanding professional activity:
• 2018: European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Silver Medal
• 2018: Honorary Member of the Romanian Society of Cardiology
• 2018: Honorary Member of the Croatian Society of Cardiology
• 2018: Award in recognition of decades of pioneering work in basic research and clinical landmark studies (1st Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Heart Center Freiburg)
• 2018: Honorary Professor of the Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Kazakhstan
• 2017: Kossuth Zsuzsanna Award
• 2017: Honorary President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2017: Honorary President and Honorary Professor of Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, China
• 2017: Honorary Professor of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China
• 2017: Doctor Honoris Causa of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
• 2016: Honorary Professor, Voronezh NN Burdenko State Medical University, Russia
• 2016: Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, Commander Cross
• 2015: Dénes Gábor Award
• 2014: Semmelweis University’s Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center, led by Béla Merkely, receives the Cardiology Center of Excellence Prize by Medicina Top200
• 2014: Astellas Certificate of Merit for the outstanding professional knowledge and magnificent human attitude (Astellas Award was running in the frame of the Physician of the Year Competition):
• 2014: Gold Medal of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2014: Ministerial Certificate of Merit for the Cardiology Technicians of Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center’s Intensive Care Unit – belonging to Semmelweis University and led by Béla Merkely – as a care unit of high priority
• 2013: Career Achievement Award, Jagellonian University Krakow, Poland
• 2013: Medal of Honor for the scientific activities, the support and promotion of scientific work, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow
• 2013: Honorary Citizen of Budapest
• 2013: Pro Societate Award of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology for the outstanding work executed as Executive Board Member and Advisory Board Member from 2010 to 2013
• 2012: Elite Reviewer in Europace
• 2011: Medallion of the 30th Anniversary National Student Research Conference (OTDK)
• 2011: Semmelweis University’s Heart and Vascular Center recognized as FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence
• 2011: Markusovszky Award, Orvosi Hetilap
• 2011: Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, Officer’s Cross
• 2009: Hungarian Academy of Sciences Award for Excellence
• 2008: Ernő Jendrassik Award
• 2007: Master Tutor Gold Medal – Award of the National Student Research Conference (OTDK)
• 2007: Semmelweis University Tutor Award of the (TDK)
• 2006: Pro Civitate Sana Award
• 2004: Bolyai Award of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA)
• 2004: Rudolf-Thauer-Posterpreis 3rd prize, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie
• 2004: Pro Societate Award of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2003: Cardiovascularis Centrum Award
• 2002: Tutor Award of the Students’ Scientific Association (TDK), Semmelweis University,
• 2000: Gábor György Award
• 2000-2003: Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
• 1999: International Virchow Award, 1st prize, 10th World Congress of Electrophysiology
• 1997: Physiology Prize, International Union of Angiology European Chapter’s Congress
• 1996: Ferenc Adorján Award
• 1995: 2nd prize, 3rd Alpe-Adria Cardiology Meeting
• 1985: Mihály Táncsics Award, Gold level

Membership, elected functions

• 2023: Vice-chairman – Sports Medicine Committee, World Aquatics
• 2022: Honorary member of the Kazakh Society of Arrhythmologists
• 2022: Member of Academia Europaea
• 2022: Section Board Member of Journal of Clinical Medicine
• 2021: Guest Editor of the special issue “New Techniques in Interventional Cardiology”
• 2021: Editorial board member of the “Russian Journal for Personalized Medicine”
• 2021: Co-chair of the Hungarian Rector’s Forum
• 2020–2024: Vice President of the Hungarian University-College Association
• 2020: Chair of the Clinical Epidemiology Working Group of the four Hungarian Medical Universities
• 2020: Chair of the Epidemiology Committee of Semmelweis University
• 2020: Member of the Editorial Board for the “Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation”
• 2019: President of the Semmelweis University Sports Medicine Professional Committee
• 2018–2023: Board Member of the Presidium of the Swimming Sport Club of Győr
• 2017: Member of the FINA Sports Medicine Committee
• 2017: Honorary President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2016: Member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Cardiovascular Emergencies
• 2016: Deputy Editor for the Heart Beat Journal
• 2016–2018: Vice President for National Cardiac Societies of the European Society of Cardiology
• 2016: President of the China-CEEC Hospital Cooperation Alliance (CC-HC)
• 2016–2020: President of the Scientific Board of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2016: Member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Hungarian Interdisciplinary Medicine
• 2016–2020: President of the Cardiology Section of Professional College
• 2015–2018: Vice-rector for Clinical Affairs, Semmelweis University
• 2015–2017: Co-Chair of EuROTA Club
• 2015–2017: Chair of the National Cardiac Societies Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association
• 2015: Member of European Academy of Sciences and Arts
• 2015: Member of the Editorial Board for the journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
• 2015: Member of the Editorial Board for the journal Advances in Interventional Cardiology
• 2014–2016: Councillor and member of the Board of the European Society of Cardiology
• 2014: Member of the Editorial Board for the World Journal of Cardiology
• 2013–2016: President of Workgroup of Interventional Cardiology, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2013–2015: Executive Board Member, Treasurer of the European Heart Rhythm Association
• 2013: Non-academician General Assembly Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
• 2013: Gremium President of the professional training “Medical rehabilitation in cardiology” of Semmelweis University
• 2012: Member of the Editorial Board for the journal Clinical Research in Cardiology
• 2011–2016: Member of the EuroPCR Relations Committee, EAPCI
• 2011: Member of the Editorial Board for the journal Cor et Vasa
• 2011: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC)
• 2011–2013: EHRA National Societies – Eastern Initiative Coordinator: ICD for Life
• 2010–2014: Member of the Credential Committee, European Society of Cardiology
• 2010–2013: President of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2011–2016: Member of the Cardiology Section of Professional College
• 2010: Deputy Chief in Editor of the journal Interventional Medicine and Applied Science
• 2009–2018: President of Students’ Scientific Association of Semmelweis University
• 2009–2011: Co-chairman of the National Society Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association
• 2008: President of the professional training “Cardiology” of Semmelweis University
• 2008: Editor-in-Chief of the national journal Medical Education
• 2007–2010: President of the Working Group of Interventional Cardiology, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2007–2009: Secretary of Students’ Scientific Association of Semmelweis University
• 2006–2009: National Delegate of the Hungarian Medical Council
• 2006–2011: Member of the Scientific and Research Ethical Board of the Health Scientific Committee
• 2006–2014: Member of the editorial board of Lege Artis Medicinae (LAM)
• 2006: Member of the editorial board of the Hungarian issue of JACC
• 2005: Member of Hungarian Society of Atherosclerosis
• 2004: Member of the Scientific Board of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2004: Member of Committee of the Working Group of Interventional Cardiology, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2004–2017: Member of the Advisory Board, later member of the National Societies Board, European Heart Rhythm Association
• 2004–2007: President of the Working Group on Arrhythmia and Pacemaker, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2001: Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
• 2001–2004: Vice-President of the Working Group on Arrhythmia and Pacemaker, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 2000: Reviewer in the journals Cardiovascular Research and Heart Rhythm
• 1999–2006: Member of the editorial board of Progress Biomedical Research
• 1998: Member of the North-American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE, Heart Rhythm)
• 1996–2004: National Delegate of the Working Group on Cardiac Pacing, European Society of Cardiology
• 1995–2001: Secretary of the Working Group on Arrhythmia and Pacemaker, Hungarian Society of Cardiology
• 1990–1996: Chairman of the Society of German and Hungarian Students and Scientists of Heidelberg, Germany
• 1991: Member of the European Society of Cardiology, and of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology