It is with deep sadness that the members of the European Association of Schools of Occupational Medicine learned of the passing of Professor Emerita Dr. habil. med. Maija Eglīte, an outstanding physician, scientist and teacher.

She was one of the most respected figures in European occupational and environmental medicine. Her loss is deeply felt by colleagues and friends across the occupational health community, where she will be remembered for her professionalism, generosity, warmth and lifelong dedication to our specialty.

Legacy and Commitment to Occupational Medicine

Born in Riga on 22 December 1939, Professor Maija Eglīte devoted her professional life to Riga Stradiņš University, where she worked from 1967 onwards and later served for many years as Professor and Head of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. In 2023, she was awarded the title of Professor Emerita in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the university and to occupational medicine.

A pioneer in our specialty and an internationally respected academic, Professor Eglīte played a major role in the development of occupational health and environmental medicine in Latvia and across Europe. She promoted international scientific collaboration, led important research projects and contributed actively to professional and scientific organisations at both national and European level.
She authored or co-authored more than 370 scientific publications, twelve books and numerous educational materials, remaining scientifically active until the final years of her life. In 2010, she received the Order of the Three Stars in recognition of her longstanding contribution to occupational health and occupational medicine in Latvia.

For European Association of Schools of Occupational Medicine, Professor Maija Eglīte was a distinguished and deeply valued member. She participated actively and generously in the activities of our association, always demonstrating remarkable vitality, elegance, scientific integrity and a profound commitment to occupational medicine, environmental health, education and research.
In 2019, she organised the EASOM Summer School at Riga Stradiņš University dedicated to occupational cancer. The meeting was a major scientific and academic success and marked the first Summer School organised by EASOM in a Baltic country. It later gave rise to an international declaration published in a scientific journal, reflecting her enduring commitment to the prevention of occupational diseases and the protection of workers’ health.

Those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Professor Eglīte will always remember an exceptional colleague and a deeply humane person, whose dedication to our discipline leaves a lasting mark on European occupational medicine.
The members of European Association of Schools of Occupational Medicine join her family, colleagues, students and friends in mourning her loss and wish to pay tribute to a life devoted to science, education and the health and wellbeing of workers. Her legacy will remain with us.