In 2025, Semmelweis University solidified its position as a leader in European healthcare through a series of significant clinical innovations and organizational expansions. The institution’s focus on patient care resulted in milestones that enhanced the quality of medical services and introduced cutting-edge treatments to Hungary. This overview details the key achievements that defined the university’s year, highlighting advancements in medical technology, surgical procedures, and specialized care programs.
Organizational Expansion and Enhanced Patient Access
A major development in 2025 was the strategic integration of the National Musculoskeletal Institute (OMINT) into Semmelweis University. This merger established a new Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, significantly broadening the university’s capacity for musculoskeletal and immunological care. Concurrently, the Tormay Károly Health Center in Gödöllő was rebranded as the Semmelweis Health Center. This transition expanded its service area to over 100,000 residents and introduced enhanced diagnostic capabilities, including new ultrasound services and faster laboratory results. The university also launched a comprehensive health prevention program in the region, further emphasizing its commitment to community health.
Major Investments in Cardiovascular and Diagnostic Facilities
The Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center underwent its most significant expansion in over a century. A new seven-story wing, connected to the main building by a covered bridge, increased the facility’s floor space by 50%. This HUF 9.1 billion investment is poised to transform the clinic into a European supercenter and one of the continent’s largest heart transplant centers. The new wing is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a photon-counting detector CT system and an advanced 1.5T MRI scanner, both of which were inaugurated in December.
Earlier in the year, the university’s Medical Imaging Center became the first in the world to install the Siemens Naeotom Alpha.Prime photon-counting detector CT system. This technology allows for full-body scans of trauma patients in under two seconds with minimal radiation exposure, enabling immediate and effective treatment for emergency cases.
Breakthroughs in Surgical and Interventional Procedures
2025 was a landmark year for surgical innovation at Semmelweis University. The Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology performed Hungary’s first robot-assisted liver surgery on a child using the da Vinci Surgical System. Following this success, the department also conducted the country’s first robot-assisted kidney removal from a living donor, a procedure that enhances the precision of organ preparation for transplantation. In a world-first, the same department performed a liver resection on a four-year-old child, demonstrating unparalleled expertise in pediatric surgery.
Other surgical firsts included:
- Endoscopic Spinal Surgery: The Department of Neurosurgery and Neurointervention used a single-channel endoscopic technique for the first time in Hungary to treat spinal disc herniation, offering patients a minimally invasive option with faster recovery.
- Hand Surgery: The Rehabilitation Clinic performed the first implantation of a third-generation trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint prosthesis, providing improved function and recovery for patients with thumb arthritis or those rehabilitating from stroke or spinal cord injuries.
- Robot-Assisted Ear Surgery: Specialists in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery successfully used an ear surgery robot to restore hearing in multiple patients through cochlear implantation.
Advancements in Cardiology and Neurology
The Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center achieved another national first by performing MR-guided catheter ablation. This procedure, used to correct abnormal heart rhythms, offers superior imaging and eliminates radiation exposure compared to traditional X-ray guided methods. The center utilized the latest mapping software from the catheter manufacturer, marking a first for the region.
In recognition of its excellence, the stroke care program at the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurointervention received the Diamond Status of the ESO Angels Awards Program from the European Stroke Organisation. This highest qualification acknowledges the department’s 24/7 availability, rapid treatment initiation (within one hour of admission), and adherence to the highest professional standards.
International Recognition and Specialized Care
Semmelweis University’s global standing was reinforced when its Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health was designated a WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing. The official certificate was presented by Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, underscoring the university’s primary mission to improve public health.
The Hungarian Lung Transplant Program, based at the National Institute of Oncology, celebrated its 10th anniversary. The event highlighted the program’s success and the establishment of a Central European lung transplant training center.
Finally, the Rehabilitation Clinic renovated its exercise physiology laboratory, creating the only facility in Hungary capable of performing stress tests on patients with amputations, stroke, or severe spinal cord injuries. This lab will also be used to assess the performance of Paralympic athletes, demonstrating the university’s commitment to both rehabilitation and elite sports medicine.
Looking Ahead
The achievements of 2025 demonstrate Semmelweis University’s unwavering dedication to advancing patient care through innovation, research, and strategic expansion. These developments not only improve healthcare outcomes in Hungary but also contribute to the university’s goal of becoming one of the world’s top 100 universities by 2030.
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