The Burgas regional chamber of the Bulgarian Medical Association will present its "Doctor of the Year 2026" awards on Monday, 19 October, the chamber said.

The date is the feast day of St John of Rila the Wonderworker, patron saint of Bulgarian doctors, which is also the doctors' professional holiday.

The day starts at 5.30pm with a prayer service at the St John of Rila the Wonderworker church, led by Archimandrite Dimitriy. At 6.30pm, medics will meet for a cocktail reception on the open-air stage at the NHK Cultural Centre. The official ceremony begins at 7.30pm.

The awards have three categories: "Academic Merit", "Lifetime Achievement" and "Our Future". The organisers say they recognise the professionalism, devotion and contribution of doctors to people's health and lives. They describe the evening as a sign of respect and thanks to all medics who work with knowledge, responsibility and humanity.

After the awards, Vasil Petrov and Symphonietta Vratsa will give a festive concert.

Burgas council is backing the event.