Dr. Tünde Györgyi, an internist and general practitioner, as well as the former medical director of FirstMed, is one of our longest-standing team members, having worked in our clinic almost since its inception and continuing to do so even after her retirement. To mark her anniversary, we spoke with her about her experiences and her career at the clinic over the years.
Let’s reflect on the beginning: how did your medical career and your journey at FirstMed start?
Following the completion of my medical degree at Semmelweis University of Medicine, I had the opportunity to conduct research in the United States. After a couple of years, I realized that healing work, helping the sick, is much closer to me than the dry research work. My father was disabled due to polio. This experience taught me to be empathetic, caring, and helpful, and has guided me as I began my residency in internal medicine at the University of Chicago. Challenging times with endless days and nights, but it was worth it. My education and the clinical experience in Chicago have been influential on my career since then.
In Western nations, medical education and university training follow a tiered system. In smaller groups, every level is represented, and the more experienced members continuously teach the younger ones while the professor spends several hours training the whole team. This way, we developed gradually increasing responsibility, knowledge, and communication skills in treating the patients.
After earning my degree, I got married, which meant joining a Hungarian family in the heart of America, as my husband’s parents were born in Hungary. At that time, I was practicing medicine in Indianapolis at the Indiana University Medical Center. Following the fall of communism, my husband received a scholarship, and we relocated to Hungary with our three-month-old daughter. Two years later, our son was born. Initially, I returned to the USA for short periods to work. As this wasn’t manageable long term, after getting my board certification registered here, I accepted a position at the newly established American Clinic in May 2000. This is how my career started at FirstMed in Budapest.
You joined FirstMed in 1999. What has been your role since then?
As an internist since the beginning and medical director from 2013 to 2021, I have played a significant role in the clinic’s management and ensured the quality of patient care. I have been part of the clinic’s steady expansion, as it has grown from a small family practice to provide comprehensive care with over 20 specialties, equipped with new diagnostic tools and a lab. The success of the Budapest clinic has laid the foundation for international expansion, with Rome opening in 2021 and Milan set to follow soon, and more locations in the pipeline.
How has the medical service developed over the years?
Alongside the clinic’s expansion, the number of patients has also risen. Additionally, the changes in the economic system have also influenced the clinic’s operations. Perhaps the most significant and memorable challenge was managing the COVID-19 pandemic, in which I was already cooperating with my colleague, Dr. Marianna Hegyi, who has since become the clinic’s medical director. It was a great relief when this disease was brought under control.
However, this has also had beneficial effects, such as the introduction of Telemedicine, which meant that patients no longer had to visit in person for a consultation. As the epidemic situation eased, we soon opened our new Endoscopy Center, which has further expanded the clinic’s capacity.
We have many regular patients, including an increasing number of Hungarians, while foreigners continue to feel very safe because all staff in our clinic communicate in English. It is a great pleasure to regularly see several generations of families, from grown-up children to older adults, among my regular patients.
We place particular importance on prevention, which is why many people come for annual screenings. We discuss their health condition in detail and, if necessary, suggest lifestyle changes and develop a personalized diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
Finally, from the very beginning, the clinic has been characterised by a spirit of harmony and teamwork between long-time and new colleagues alike, which has a positive impact on patient care. We cooperate to manage conditions that require specialised medical attention and to perform additional tests. Nurses also perform physician assistant duties, giving them more responsibility, while physicians can focus more on treating patients.
What has made FirstMed attractive to you in the past 25 years?
Most importantly, FirstMed has followed an American-style healthcare system from the beginning, with a patient-centric approach. It was a pleasure to continue the style of care I have come to appreciate in the United States. Flexible working hours allowed me to work part-time, giving me enough time for my family.
Thanks to the clinic, I was able to attend several training courses in the USA, which also helped me renew my US qualification for many years.
As previously mentioned, a significant asset is the full-scale use of the English language, which extends from communication with patients to medical documentation (e.g., for foreign insurers), a unique feature of FirstMed in Hungary. We have continuously expanded our relationship with private insurers, enabling us to offer direct billing to patients.
What are your plans?
Since I reached retirement age this year, in addition to continuing my medical work, I would like to spend more time with my family, as my second grandchild is due to be born soon.
In my free time, I enjoy reading and outdoor activities, which I highly recommend to everyone. My family and I go skiing in the winter. Our favourite summer destinations are the Salzkammergut region in Austria and the Buda Hills in Hungary, where we enjoy hiking. I want to get the grandchildren into hiking in nature later, but for now, even getting to the playground is an adventure trip. 🙂
Thank you to Dr. Tünde Györgyi for the interview. We wish her many more successful years with the FirstMed team.
The interview was prepared by Dorottya Fekete.