UN!Course on Digitalization and Innovation in Medicine: Six years in the Academic program of MU-Sofia

How do we train future doctors to meet the challenges of modern healthcare?
Not only through anatomy, pharmacology, and pathophysiology - but through a new type of knowledge that connects medicine with technology, data, and innovation.

That’s precisely the mission of the UN!Course “Digitalization and Innovation in Medicine”, held for the sixth consecutive year at Medical University - Sofia, organized by DHI Cluster.

The course brings together doctors, innovators, entrepreneurs, pharmacists, and industry experts in an open, practical, and inspiring format that offers students insight and perspective beyond the traditional academic curriculum.

What did the 2024/2025 course include?

A total of 14 lectures, or as we call them - NO!Lectures, gave students the chance to explore real processes in the healthcare system, the role of data, regulations, technology, and just, as importantly, the need for humanity in medicine.

Innovation and Systems Thinking in Healthcare

One of the first topics, “Why do doctors need knowledge in innovation and digital healthcare?”, presented by Dr. Rosen Dimitrov (Nretia Health & DHI Cluster), addressed the need for young physicians to be technologically prepared.

This was followed by lectures on the structure and financing of the healthcare system by Dr. Branimir Raduilov, and digital transformation and healthcare innovation, led by Mira Ganova, PhD (DHI Cluster).

Critical Thinking and Focus in the Digital Era

Two of the highest-rated sessions were “Critical Thinking” and “Critical Reading in Medicine”, delivered by Dr. Alexander Simidchiev. These lectures focused on cognitive biases, judgment, and sustaining focus in the digital age.

Innovation-Based Prevention

A standout session addressed vaccine prophylaxis as a tool in the fight against oncological diseases, delivered by a multidisciplinary team:
Rosen Dimitrov, MPharm Lora Timeva, Sava Todorov, PhD, and Vera Duhleva (MSD Bulgaria).
Special attention was paid to HPV vaccines and their impact on public health.

The most valuable thing I learned in this course was about HPV. I’m planning to get vaccinated myself in the coming months. I’m really glad you emphasized it more than once - awareness is still far too low.

Data, Technology & Digital Pathology

Several related lectures explored the role of data and new technologies in modern medicine.

Dr. Kremena Georgieva presented the foundations of data-driven medicine - how data supports diagnosis, prevention, and personalized care.

The MSD Bulgaria team - Sava Todorov and Milena Organdzhieva, alongside Mira Ganova, expanded on this with real examples of digitalization in pharma and open innovation in healthcare systems.

Vera Duhleva led the session Digital & Data in Pharma, providing additional depth to the topic.

The technological segment culminated with a session on Digital Pathology by Rosen Dimitrov, showing how digital imaging and algorithms enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce turnaround times.

Law, Ethics & New Models of Care

A group of sessions addressed essential topics including legal aspects of physician-patient-pharmacist communication, delivered by Attorney Kalina Mihaylova and Mira Ganova, and a session on Value-Based Healthcare by Yordan Iliev (MY Synergy), discussing sustainable healthcare models and patient outcomes.

What did students say at the end of the course?

The UN!Course not only opened up topics missing from the standard curriculum, but also created a space for students to voice opinions, ask questions, and think strategically about their future as professionals in a fast-evolving healthcare landscape.

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