Balancing 24-hour hospital shifts with international sports competitions is no easy task, yet Zsuzsanna Tóth manages both with remarkable dedication. A radiology assistant at Semmelweis University’s Medical Imaging Center (OKK) and a member of the Hungarian national field hockey team, she recently celebrated a major achievement: winning bronze at the 2025 Women’s EuroHockey Championship III in Turkey.
During the pre-season, Tóth’s days often move seamlessly from emergency X-rays to intense training sessions. After completing her hospital shift, she swaps her dosimeter for a six-kilogram stick bag and heads to practice in Budapest’s City Park. Her commitment to excellence is evident both in patient care and on the field.
Tóth has been working at the Medical Imaging Center for three years. Coming from a family with healthcare professionals, she developed an early interest in helping others. After high school, she qualified as a massage therapist and later earned her paramedic certification during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was during this period that she discovered a passion for radiology, eventually becoming a certified radiology assistant and joining the center immediately after graduation.
At OKK, she primarily works in X-ray diagnostics, supporting acute and emergency care, and assisting with ultrasound examinations in transplant and outpatient departments. She highlights the importance of teamwork, particularly in life-threatening situations where rapid and precise imaging can make a critical difference. The department also creates a child-friendly environment for young patients, complete with plush toys to ease anxiety during examinations.
Her colleagues have supported her athletic ambitions as well. To help finance the national team’s participation in the European Championship — a trip largely self-funded by the players — staff members organized a fundraiser and shared messages of encouragement. Tóth described the solidarity as a significant source of motivation during the physically demanding preparation period.
Field hockey, an Olympic sport since 1908, requires both technical skill and endurance. The Hungarian team trained extensively with neighboring national teams ahead of the tournament. Competing in temperatures exceeding 40°C in Turkey, the team secured third place, marking a proud moment for Hungarian field hockey.
Looking ahead, Tóth aims to further develop her expertise in diagnostic imaging, particularly in CT technology, inspired by the center’s state-of-the-art photon-counting CT scanner. In sports, her next goal is to qualify for and compete in the 2027 European Championship.
Through her dual commitment to healthcare and elite sport, Zsuzsanna Tóth exemplifies perseverance, teamwork, and professional excellence—both in the examination room and on the international stage.
Source: Semmelweis University
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