Rector of the Medical University of Varna (2004–2012)
Prof. Dr. Anelia Klisarova was born on December 13, 1961, in Varna, Bulgaria. She graduated in Medicine from the Medical University of Varna in 1986, receiving the "Golden Hippocrates" Award for academic excellence.
From 1986 to 1989, she worked as a physician at the Radioisotope Center within the Department of Radiology and Roentgenology at the Medical University of Varna. In 1989, she was appointed Assistant Professor, and in the same year, she acquired a specialization in Medical Radiology. In 2001, she completed a Master's degree in Health Management.
Prof. Klisarova has specialized in Sofia, Munich, Erlangen (Germany), Basel, Bern, and Aarau (Switzerland). She defended her PhD in 1994 on the topic:
“Nuclear Medicine Methods for Diagnosing Certain Salivary Gland Diseases."
In 2003, she earned her Doctor of Medical Sciences degree with the dissertation:
“Perfusion Brain Scintigraphy in Certain Diseases of the Central Nervous System."
She was promoted to Associate Professor in 1998 and to Professor in 2005.
In 2005, she received the individual “Varna Award" for achievements in the field of nuclear medicine. She became Doctor Honoris Causa of Ovidius University in Constanța (Romania) and Odessa Medical University (Ukraine) in 2006, and of Trakya University in Edirne (Turkey) in 2010.
From 1999 to 2004, she served as Vice-Rector for Research at the Medical University of Varna. On March 8, 2004, she was elected Rector of the Medical University of Varna and was re-elected for a second term on March 5, 2008.
Institutional Achievements During Her Tenure
During Prof. Klisarova's two terms as rector:
- Two new faculties were established: the Faculty of Dental Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmacy, making the university a comprehensive institution for regulated medical professions.
- A new building for the Faculty of Dental Medicine was constructed and inaugurated on June 9, 2008.
- A conceptual and working project for a new Faculty of Pharmacy building was developed.
- In 2004, the university was accepted as a full member of the European University Association in Maastricht, Netherlands.
- In 2008, the EFQM Business Excellence model of the European Foundation for Quality Management was implemented, and in 2009, the Medical University of Varna became the first in Bulgaria to be certified under this model.
- In 2009, the university introduced “Maritime Medicine" as an elective discipline — the first in Southeast Europe.
- Three new specialties were created at the university's medical college: Medical Cosmetics, Medical Secretary, and Caregiver.
- In 2010, the Council of the European Scientific and Cultural Community awarded the “Golden Book" to the university for its prestige, public recognition, and contributions to Bulgarian science.
Prof. Klisarova's primary scientific work involves scintigraphic studies of the brain, heart, and digestive system. She has authored over 250 scientific papers and presentations, more than 100 of which were published internationally. She is co-author of a textbook on Nuclear Medicine.
She serves on the editorial boards of the World Journal of Nuclear Medicine (USA) and the Bulgarian Radiology and Roentgenology Journal.
Professional Memberships and Honors
- Corresponding Member of the North American Radiological Association
- Member of the Bulgarian Association of Radiology
- National Delegate for Bulgaria and Board Member of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM)
- Developer of multiple international scientific and academic projects
Since 1996, she has coordinated a collaborative project between University Hospital "St. Marina" in Varna and Inselspital in Bern, Switzerland.
Since 2001, she has coordinated the creation of a Bulgarian-Swiss School and the introduction of the Radiologic Technician specialty at the Medical College of the Medical University of Varna.
Prof. Klisarova is an Honorary Member of the Polish Medical Academy and recipient of the Gold Medal “Albert Schweitzer."
