{"id":196276,"date":"2025-11-20T14:29:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T13:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/univet.hu\/?p=196276"},"modified":"2025-11-25T10:17:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T09:17:43","slug":"univet-international-alumni-excellence-awards-2025-here-are-the-first-award-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/univet.hu\/en\/2025\/11\/univet-international-alumni-excellence-awards-2025-here-are-the-first-award-recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"UNIVET International Alumni Excellence Awards 2025 \u2013 Here Are the First Award Recipients"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (UNIVET) has reached an important milestone in strengthening its international alumni community: in 2025, the university held its\u202ffirst International Alumni Excellence Awards, where the\u202fglobal alumni community actively nominated and selected the winners\u202ffor each category.<\/p>

This new tradition highlights the diverse professional achievements of UNIVET graduates and celebrates those whose careers reflect excellence, leadership, and meaningful impact.<\/p>

 <\/p>

\"\"Lifetime\u00a0Alumni\u00a0Award\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Rivi\u00a0Shlain-Benor<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Rivi\u00a0Shlain\u00a0Benor<\/span><\/b>\u202fis a veterinarian and an experienced Medical Affairs leader with more than 15 years of cross-disciplinary work in both veterinary and human medicine. After graduating from St. Istv\u00e1n University, she spent 15 years managing her own small-animal clinic before transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry.<\/span> She has held key medical and strategic roles at MSD, Janssen, Medison Pharma, and CTS Pharma. Her broad experience includes medical team leadership, supporting clinical research, collaborating with experts across multiple therapeutic areas, and developing evidence-based medical strategies. Her veterinary background continues to guide her commitment to improving health outcomes across species.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Most\u00a0Adventurous\u00a0Alumni\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Theodora\u00a0Bernitsa<\/span><\/b> \"\"<\/span><\/p>

Theodora Bernitsa<\/strong>, originally from Greece, completed the international veterinary program at UNIVET in 2014. She began her career in France as a mixed-practice veterinarian, where she also mentored young colleagues and contributed to public veterinary policy.
A professional visit to UNIVET in 2024 reignited her interest in food safety, inspiring her transition to research. Since 2025, she has been pursuing her PhD at the Institute of Food Chain Science, focusing on the chemical safety of meat replacement products. She is also a resident of the European College of Veterinary Public Health.<\/p>

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\"\"Young\u00a0Alumni\u00a0Award\u00a0\u2013 Nicholas van\u00a0Eijk<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Nicholas van\u00a0Eijk<\/span><\/b>\u202frepresents a new generation of veterinarians who rethink how veterinary care can be delivered. After working in a traditional small-animal clinic, he established mobile veterinary service designed to reduce stress for both animals and owners by providing care directly in their homes.<\/span> Alongside his clinical work, he contributes to veterinary science through research, articles published in the Dutch veterinary press, and volunteer projects providing medical care to strays and pets owned by families with limited financial means.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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Excellence in\u00a0Veterinary\u00a0Medicine\u00a0Award\u00a0\u2013 Philipp\u00a0Scholz<\/span><\/b> \"\"<\/span><\/p>

Philipp Scholz<\/strong>, originally from Leipzig, Germany, graduated from UNIVET in 2013. During his studies, he contributed to significant research on equine welfare and behaviour, including work on the Horse Grimace Scale and Animal Welfare Indicators.
After gaining clinical experience with horses, farm animals and small animals, he specialised in equine osteopathy. Today he runs an international practice across Portugal, Germany and other European countries, where he integrates osteopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and modern veterinary therapy in equine rehabilitation.<\/p>

The four award recipients exemplify the excellence, dedication, and global influence of the UNIVET alumni community. Their achievements continue to inspire future veterinarians and strengthen the university\u2019s international network.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Detailed\u00a0biographies\u00a0of\u00a0all\u00a0award\u00a0winners\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0viewed\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0official\u00a0award\u00a0page\u00a0through\u00a0<\/span><\/b>the\u00a0following\u00a0link.<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \t\t