Student Daniela Ciobanu – holder of Stefan Plugaru Scholarship 2022

Daniela Ciobanu - third year student at the Faculty of Medicine No.1 of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, specializing in Public Health, is the winner of Stefan PLUGARU Scholarship worth 20 thousand lei. The scholarship was established by the family members of the remarkable scientist and educator - former dean of the Faculty of Preventive Medicine, head of the Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, to support students under the Public Health program.

According to Rector Emil Ceban, during its 77 years of activity, our university’s scientific and didactic staff felt lucky to have such valuable members amidst them like the distinguished professor Stefan Plugaru. His whole life and activity was guided by the motto Rush to do good deeds!

With great dedication and responsibility, Professor Stefan Plugaru exercised the duties of dean of the Faculty of General Medicine, later dean of the Faculty of Preventive Medicine (for 12 years), as well as director of the Republican College of Medicine (for 10 years).

Professor Stefan Plugaru's family members represent three generations of doctors and public health specialists, and currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and in Bucharest, Romania. They decided to perpetuate the memory of the distinguished professor by establishing the Stefan PLUGARU annual student scholarship. The scholarship is offered to 3rd-5th year students enrolled in the Public Health study program, for academic merits, active participation in extracurricular scientific research and volunteering for the community wellbeing, with the aim of promoting the principles of public health, including health education and disease prevention.

"By providing material support to worthy young people, who will become specialists in public health, a tribute is also paid to the renowned scientist Stefan Plugaru as a sign of appreciation of his contribution to the development of the national health system", emphasized Rector Emil Ceban.

The event was honored by the online presence of family representatives: the daughter of professor Stefan Plugaru, Viorica, and her husband Jan Drobeniuc, who highlighted the fact that they were impressed with medical students’ very good academic achievements and behavior, participation in extracurricular activities and, of course, their altruism – essential qualities for the professional development in the field of public health.

"We decided to establish this scholarship because time has shown that the given field takes care of the general population’s health, thus improving the quality of life of the entire community. Often the field of public health, whose mission is to prevent diseases before they affect the population, is not sufficiently appreciated. That's why we wanted to highlight the importance of this field and the people who dedicate themselves unconditionally to the work of disease prevention".

The holder of Stefan PLUGARU Scholarship, 2022 edition, student Daniela Ciobanu has mentioned that she feels honored for the trust that has been placed in her, which also implies great responsibility: "For us, students, the famous professor Stefan Plugaru is a source of inspiration and constant motivation to excel, to work harder and to achieve better results. I will do my best to be a good public health specialist so as not to disappoint you, and caring for society will be my priority. I urge all students from the Public Health program to aim for more and want to make a change in the Republic of Moldova".

A message of gratitude came from Angela Cazacu-Stratu, Vice-Dean-responsible for the Public Health study program, who urged medical professionals to participate in the next editions of the competition, specifying that "thanks to this scholarship you can show the results of your daily work: participate in scientific forums, volunteering and extracurricular activities. I invite you to stay further involved in order to finally realize your dream of becoming a good public health specialist. This scholarship is for ambitious students, for those with perseverance and ingenuity who are not afraid to try something new."

The scholarship awarding ceremony was attended by First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi, vice-rector for didactic activity, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine No. 1 Gheorghe Placinta, President of the Association of Students and Residents in Medicine Gheorghe Buruiana, students from the Public Health program etc.