Larry D. Soderquist Professor of Diabetes Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui returned to the West University of Timisoara (WUT) to be bestowed with Doctor Honoris Causa. The honor puts Dr. Pop-Busui in a very elite company as an honorary member of the University that has "helped to increase the prestige of WUT in international science and research."
Being born and raised in Romania wasn't the only reason attending the ceremony was a homecoming for Pop-Busui. The Romanian university was also where she completed dual residencies, first in Internal Medicine, followed by Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes. She then came to the University of Michigan under the mentorship of Dr. Eva Feldman.
Traveling to receive the award also allowed her to see another important mentor of Dr. Pop-Busui, WUT professor Dr. Gheorghe Bacanu. It was Dr. Bacanu who jumpstarted her career in diabetes care and research, which has led to numerous accolades. In addition to being a professor of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes at Michigan Medicine, she is also the Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Internal Medicine, as well as the current President-elect of Medicine & Science as the American Diabetes Association.