On 11 June, President Edgars Rinkēvičs at the Riga Castle presented Certificates of Merit to distinguished medical professors from the United States – traumatologist-orthopaedist Bertrams Zariņš and vascular surgeon Kristaps Zariņš.
“What you have done deserves the full recognition of us all. I have spent quite some time in hospitals across Latvia, speaking with medical professionals and doctors. I have heard many words of praise for your contributions – not only in introducing new treatment methods, but also in helping Latvian doctors grow and develop,” said the President during his address to the professors.
Professor Bertrams Zariņš is a traumatologist-orthopaedist whose personal initiative played a pivotal role during Latvia’s path to regaining independence. He was one of the initiators and organisers of the First World Congress of Latvian Physicians held in 1989 – an event that literally opened Latvia’s doors to the world.
At the Boston University Clinic, Professor Bertrams Zariņš developed numerous surgical treatment methods, which he has shared with his colleagues in Latvia. He introduced innovative techniques for treating knee and shoulder joints in Latvia. In 2024, representing both Harvard Hospital and the University of Latvia, he published a highly sought-after book on knee joint treatment.
Together with his brother, Professor Kristaps Kristofers Zariņš, Bertrams Zariņš established the Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF). Since 1990, the Foundation has provided significant financial support for Latvian medicine, particularly through scholarships for young doctors. These scholarships offer opportunities to gain international experience across various medical fields abroad, while also encouraging young Western medical students to learn more about Latvian medicine and the country itself.
Professor Kristaps Kristofers Zariņš is a vascular surgeon and researcher closely associated with cutting-edge cardiology studies. In collaboration with his colleagues, he developed a new non-invasive method for diagnosing cardiovascular pathology. This method, known as Cardiac CT-FFR, determines coronary artery abnormalities and functional status using mathematical modelling based on data acquired through computed tomography.
Professor Kristaps Zariņš is one of the initiators of the First World Congress of Latvian Physicians in 1989. He has been recognised by Stanford University as an outstanding, internationally renowned expert in his field.
