The Haskovo regional branch of the Bulgarian Medical Association has named Dr Nadya Vacheva of Haskovo's multi-profile hospital (MBAL) its "Doctor of the Year" for 2026. Three young trainee doctors from Haskovo and two doctors from St Ekaterina hospital in Dimitrovgrad also received awards at the same ceremony.

The ceremony was held in Haskovo today, a day before the feast of St John of Rila the Wonderworker, the heavenly protector of the Bulgarian people and patron saint of medics. Dr Nikolay Kolev, who heads the branch, announced the awards and thanked his colleagues for their devoted work. Winners are chosen through a selection process.

Tanya Zaharieva, chair of Haskovo municipal council, and Dinko Tenev, deputy mayor of Haskovo, also attended.

Dr Vacheva started work in 1983 as a resident doctor in the neonatology ward of Haskovo hospital. She has headed the ward since 14 November 1995 and now works there as a doctor. Over the past 25 years, hundreds of premature babies have grown up in her care. She graduated from the Medical Institute in Plovdiv and holds specialisms in paediatrics, neonatology and health management.

She says Dr Kolev nominated her for the award. Dr Vacheva thanked the hospital management, in particular Dr Georgi Gelov and Dr Ivan Ivanov. She also thanked her team and teachers, her family and everyone she has worked with over the years. She is also grateful to the parents of the tiny babies for their trust.

"Medicine is not a lonely job. Without a team, you are nothing!" said Dr Vacheva. The award is for the midwives too, she said, adding that she can count on people who think the way she does.

Three trainee doctors won awards in the "You Are Our Future" category for young doctors. They are Dr Kalina Timonova of the Third Polyclinic in Haskovo, who trains in general medicine. Dr Antoaneta Filipova, who trains in eye diseases at Haskovo hospital. And Dr Miroslav Toskov, a cardiology trainee at the same hospital.

Two doctors from St Ekaterina hospital in Dimitrovgrad were honoured in the category "Many years of work in medicine and active contribution to the development of the specialty". Dr Nedyalko Zhelev is an experienced paediatrician and has been an honorary citizen of Dimitrovgrad since 2019, in recognition of his devotion. Dr Nina Chetalova is an obstetrician-gynaecologist with many years of experience and still works at the hospital.