Česky
Dr Mahulena Exnerová, Chief physician of the Supportive and Palliative Care Department at Hospital Hořovice, received a state honour – the Medal of Merit – from the President of the Czech Republic at Prague Castle on 28 October 2026. The award was presented to her on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state in recognition of her long-standing contribution to the development of palliative medicine.
The honour recognises her professional work and her long-standing efforts to ensure that patients with serious, life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses, and their loved ones, have access to high-quality, accessible and compassionate care. Throughout her career, she has combined experience in intensive care medicine, neonatology, paediatrics and palliative care. She has also long been committed to developing interdisciplinary collaboration and systemic support, particularly for paediatric patients and their families.
“I see this award, above all, as recognition of the work of everyone involved in paediatric palliative care, who help patients and their families cope with challenging life situations every day. For me, palliative care is, above all, about respect for the individual, their needs, values and wishes. It is also about collaboration, finding a common path and striving to maintain the best possible quality of life, even in situations where medicine cannot offer a cure. “I very much hope that patients and their loved ones know that they do not have to face their situation alone,” says Dr Mahulena Exnerová, chief physician of the Department of Supportive and Palliative Care at Hospital Hořovice.
From intensive care to the development of palliative care
Dr Mahulena Exnerová graduated from the Second Faculty of Medicine at Charles University. She began her professional career at the Department of Paediatric Surgery at Motol University Hospital, where she worked in the intensive care and resuscitation unit. Her early professional experience was primarily linked to intensive care and the care of critically ill newborns and children.
In 2015, she joined Hospital Hořovice, where she became chief physician of the Paediatric Department. During her time there, she contributed to the development of care for paediatric patients, including the establishment of the Department of Long-Term Intensive Nursing Care for Children (DIOP), which provides care for children with serious chronic illnesses and complex healthcare needs.
She has gradually combined her experience in intensive care medicine and paediatrics with palliative care, the importance of which she recognises not only at the end of life, but also as an integral part of comprehensive care for patients with serious illnesses.
Since 2014, she has been collaborating with the Cesta domů home hospice in the care of seriously ill children and their families. For more than ten years, together with colleagues from Hospital Hořovice, she has been dedicated to building a hospital palliative care consultation team, which provides support to both paediatric and adult patients, their loved ones and healthcare professionals.
In 2025, she became chief physician of the Department of Supportive and Palliative Care at Hospital Hořovice. In this role, she continues to develop interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of supportive, palliative and intensive care, with an emphasis on patients’ individual needs, their quality of life and support for families.
Significant contributions to Czech palliative medicine
Dr Mahulena Exnerová’s contribution extends beyond the hospital itself. She has long been involved in the professional and systemic development of palliative care in the Czech Republic, particularly in improving its accessibility and integrating it into mainstream healthcare.
She is Chair of the Paediatric Palliative Care Section of the Czech Society for Palliative Medicine (ČLS JEP) and Vice-Chair of the committee of this professional society. She is also a co-founder and chair of the board of trustees of the Pallium Institute, a member of the board of trustees of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation, and a co-founder and member of the board of trustees of the End-of-Life Care Development Endowment Fund.
In her professional and organisational work, she focuses on the training of healthcare professionals, the development of interdisciplinary collaboration, support for the families of seriously ill children, and the systemic integration of palliative care. An important part of her work is also advocating for the early involvement of palliative care and its integration with other health and social services.
Her long-term goal is to ensure that high-quality palliative care is available to everyone who needs it, regardless of age, diagnosis or where they live.
Recognition that extends beyond a single workplace
“We are delighted and proud that such a significant award has been presented to our colleague. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Chief physician and thank her for her many years of work, her expertise and her personal commitment to the development of palliative care, as well as for everything she brings to our hospital, our patients and their families. Her award is a well-deserved recognition of her contribution to Czech healthcare,” says Mgr. Jiří Pichlík, DiS., Director of Hospital Hořovice.
The state honour awarded to Dr Mahulena Exnerová is not only a recognition of her many years of work, but also a reminder of the importance of palliative medicine as an integral part of modern healthcare. Palliative care helps patients and their loved ones cope with serious illnesses, supports their quality of life and helps ensure that decisions regarding treatment and care are based on their individual needs, values and wishes.
Hospital Hořovice congratulates Dr Mahulena Exnerová on receiving this state honour and wishes her every success and strength in her continued work for patients and their families.
