Dialogue heals. Every patient deserves to know their voice is heard—and their future matters.
On 24 April 2026, the vanguard of Romania’s medical community came together to close the gap between clinical innovation and genuine patient access at the country’s largest event dedicated to patients. Dr Cristina Florescu Moraid, CEO of the Avantyo Institute of Clinical Research, opened the flagship discussion, ‘From Innovation to Patient: Where is Romania Now?’, setting the tone for a day shaped by clarity, ambition and meaningful reform.
With a career devoted to advancing clinical research and shaping regulatory standards, Dr Florescu Moraid remains one of the key figures driving the evolution of Romania’s clinical trial landscape. Throughout the sessions, she stressed that real progress demands more than scientific excellence – it requires a patient‑centred ecosystem that broadens access to innovative therapies and demystifies the clinical process for the public.
The event, expertly moderated by Andreea Marin, became a rare point of convergence for Romania’s healthcare leadership. Among the principal institutional voices were Răzvan Prisada (President of the National Agency for Medicines), Prof. Dr Doina Drăgănescu (President of the National Bioethics Commission) and Prof. Dr Michael Schenker (President of the National Commission of Oncology). They were joined by leading clinicians such as Prof. Dr Anca Streinu‑Cercel and Conf. Dr Laurenția‑Nicoleta Galeș, as well as industry representatives including Cristina Mărgărit and Elena Aldea of ARPIM.
A deeply moving highlight of the day was the session ‘The Courage to Say Yes’, which shifted the focus from policy to lived experience. Patients Doina Persecan, Diana Budacă and Dumitru Mihai Monea shared their personal journeys through clinical trials – stories marked by vulnerability, resilience and trust. Their physicians – Dr Ioana Vescan, Dr Lavinia Luca and Dr Camelia Chioncel – joined them on stage to offer a full, 360‑degree perspective on the challenges, hopes and human connections that define the clinical research pathway.
A Future Built on Accessibility and Transparency
To conclude the day, Dr Cristina Florescu‑Moraid and Dr Loredana Pătru, President of the Elion Association, set out a strategic vision for the year ahead. A key milestone announced was the development of a dedicated Romanian‑language platform for patient enrolment – a tool designed to make essential information widely accessible and expected to be ready for use by the end of the year.
‘This roundtable was directed at journalists and media professionals – the key communicators responsible for informing the general public,’ Dr Florescu‑Moraid noted. ‘It is our responsibility to interpret and convey scientific information in accessible language, helping both patients and the public understand the significance of clinical research.’
As the event drew to a close, the message was unmistakable: by being better informed today, Romania’s healthcare system becomes stronger tomorrow.
