On 24, 25 and 26 June 2026, the Graduation Ceremonies of graduates of the study programmes GENERAL MEDICINE, DENTAL MEDICINE, PHYSIOTHERAPY, NURSING, LABORATORY INVESTIGATION METHODS IN HEALTHCARE, and PUBLIC HEALTH, as well as the English-taught study programmes GENERAL MEDICINE and DENTAL MEDICINE, were held in the premises of the Auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice.
A total of 533 students successfully completed their studies, 103 of whom graduated with distinction. The graduates received their diplomas from representatives of the faculty and university leadership, and by taking a ceremonial oath they were symbolically inducted into the community of professionals who will contribute, through their knowledge, skills and personal approach, to the protection and improvement of public health. In the speeches delivered by representatives of the university and the faculty, words of appreciation were expressed for the effort, perseverance and determination demonstrated by the graduates throughout their years of study. At the same time, they were encouraged not to forget the values that form the foundation of healthcare professions in their future careers – professionalism, responsibility, empathy, respect for the patient, and lifelong learning.
An integral part of the graduation ceremonies were also the speeches of the graduates, who shared their memories of student life, thanked their teachers, families and loved ones for their support, and expressed their determination to apply the knowledge and experience gained for the benefit of patients and society as a whole.
Samuel Dubiak – graduate of General Medicine
“Six years ago, we first walked through the gates of this faculty. If someone had shown us this day back then, we would probably not have believed them. Not because we did not believe in our abilities, but because we had no idea how much effort, humility, doubt, determination, and simple human perseverance could fit into six years of life. During that time, we expanded our knowledge base with information that, only a few years earlier, seemed almost unattainable. We learned to think in context, to seek answers where they are not immediately obvious, and to accept that in medicine certainty is often less than we would like. With hindsight, we understand that the most important lessons were not always written in textbooks. They came in moments of uncertainty, in situations when we realized the limits of our knowledge, and in encounters with patients who showed us that behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story. And perhaps it was there that we began to understand the essence of medicine – that it is not only a science of diseases, but above all a service to humanity.”
Daniel Padyšák – graduate of Dental Medicine
“I would like to thank all the dedicated and hardworking doctors and lecturers who guided us and, in addition to necessary information, also gave us a piece of themselves. I believe that each of us absorbed this knowledge as best we could, and many of them are directly connected to these teachers. You were a source of knowledge, inspiration, and an example to us.”
Lívia Theisová – graduate of Physiotherapy
“Dear colleagues, today we are not ending, we are beginning. We will be the ones people turn to with hope and trust. I wish us all never to forget why we started this journey. Let us be proud of who we have become. No matter how tired we may be, and no matter how demanding the system may be, let us not allow our humanity to fade. Let knowledge make us professionals, but let our hearts make us healthcare workers.”
The Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice warmly congratulates all new graduates and wishes them much success, professional fulfilment, and personal happiness in their future lives and careers.
