Honorary Doctorate degrees conferred on two US professors

On Monday 1 April at 17:30 the inauguration ceremony for two recipients of the RSU Honorary Doctorate degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) was held in the Great Hall of Rīga Stradiņš University at 16 Dzirciema iela. The Honorary Doctorate degree was conferred on Professor Matthew Goldsmith (USA) and Professor Eugene Minevich (USA) in recognition of their contribution to the development of studies and research at RSU.

The event was attended by RSU Rector Professor Aigars Pētersons and Vice-Rectors, Jānis Gardovskis, Chairman of the Senate, RSU teaching staff, employees, students and guests. The event was hosted by Valdis Melderis.

The Honorary Doctors were presented with traditional robes, insignia, diplomas and flowers.

Matthew Goldsmith is a professor at Washington University in St. Louis and the Medical Director of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at St. Louis Children's Hospital, a Paediatric Intensive Care Specialist, Paediatrician and Reanimatologist.

He is a long-standing visiting professor of the RSU Faculty of Continuing Education and the Department of Paediatrics of the Faculty of Medicine. Professor Goldsmith has trained both RSU undergraduate and residency students as well as academic staff and physicians.

Professor Goldsmith has conducted lectures, module-type practical classes on various simulated clinical cases at RSU, and drafted e-study materials. In addition he renewed a rotation course which was part of the residency programme, reviewed a practical handbook on intensive care, and carried out the supervision and analysis of medical mistakes while visiting the RSU clinical base at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (CCUH). The professor conducted the first in situ simulations in Latvia at the CCUH Intensive Care Unit by training students of the RSU Department of Continuing Education. He also ensured that this training would be organised on a regular basis. Remote seminars, or video conferences, are held at least once a month at which students of the Faculty of Continuing Education participate. During these seminars the theoretical part is supplemented by practical simulation.

Since 2013 the visiting professor has assisted RSU in developing simulation course modules in paediatric intensive care for paediatrics, anaesthesiology and resuscitation residency students. For approbation of this module, he carried out simulations for emergency situations.

Professor Goldsmith has always been interested in improving academic education which is why he schedules meetings with RSU academic staff, representatives of the university management and the Student Union during his visits to Latvia. He is always actively engaged in discussions on the possibilities of improving the study process at RSU.

The ceremonial speech honouring Professor Matthew Goldsmith’s achievements (the Laudatio) was given by Dace Gardovska, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, after which Professor Goldsmith gave an answering speech.

Eugene Minevich is a Professor at the Urology Clinic of the University of Cincinnati (USA) and Director of the Stone Centre of the Division of Paediatric Urology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre. He is an outstanding and world-renowned paediatric urologist.

The Honorary Doctorate degree was conferred on Professor Minevich for his contribution to the development of paediatric urology in Latvia and the USA, the development of the Surgery Clinic of the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, which is a clinical base of RSU, and of paediatric surgery in Latvia. He has been involved in developing the education of the employees of the RSU Department of Paediatric Surgery and in establishing professional and scientific contacts between paediatric urologists from Latvia and the USA.

Professor Minevich has conducted lectures for RSU doctoral and residency students and Latvian paediatric surgeons and urologists. In addition he has performed surgeries at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital providing local professionals with the opportunity to observe the procedures.

The Laudatio for Professor Eugene Minevich was given by Arnis Eņģelis, Head of the Department of Paediatric Surgery, after which Professor Minevich gave his answering speech.

The event continued with performances by RSU mixed choir Rīga and organ-player Inese Paiča.

RSU Honorary Doctorate degrees have been conferred at the university since 1990 by the RSU Senate. Over the years 65 such degrees have been awarded to prominent persons.