16th SERBIAN DIASPORA MEDICAL CONFERENCE STARTS IN THE WHITE PALACE, BELGRADE

TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine officially opened today the 16th Serbian Diaspora Medical Conference at the White Palace in Belgrade, Serbia. Solemn ceremony was also attended by TRH Prince Alexander and Princess Vesna. The Crown Princess is the patron of this significant gathering which once again brought together more than 1,000 doctors to exchange knowledge and experience, with the participation of eminent lecturers from Serbia and abroad, members of the Serbian diaspora but also distinguished foreign participants.

Starting from the fact that medicine is a science in which new achievements are made almost every day, where the exchange of knowledge and experiences in every field of health care is of greatest importance, this traditional Conference is following the vision of Her Royal Highness to enable doctors from Serbia and all parts of the planet to create and improve professional relationships and share their knowledge with colleagues around the world. Bringing together doctors and experts in the various fields of medical science enables constant improvement of the cooperation, expertise and professional work of health experts in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, and thus the entire health systems of our country.

The Conference was formally opened by the addresses of Their Royal Highnesses, who greeted the partners, sponsors, and participants, and thanked them for their great help and support for this gathering of medical professionals. In his speech, HRH Crown Prince Alexander emphasized that this Conference represents the continuation of the Royal family’s tradition of helping and supporting hospitals and doctors, as it was something that all his ancestors did, as their important duty towards the people, and how proud he is of his wife for continuing this tradition.

“When we started this Conference, I knew that our diaspora had a great desire to help our country, the same as they have today. I also knew very well how many esteemed experts our people had abroad, but also how great potential and knowledge our doctors in Serbia have, and I wanted to show it to the world as well. It was my desire to help our doctors, to support them connect with their colleagues around the world, to exchange their knowledge, but also to create friendships. And I had a dream, a vision of how to make it happen, by bringing our diaspora to Serbia. Now, as this dream has come true, when I see how this Conference has grown and progressed, how it has more and more lecturers and participants each year, my heart is filled with joy and pride.

Serbia has a respectable tradition in medical science, we have very good and qualified doctors. With the work at this conference, we are making our contribution to keeping that tradition at the highest level. We will continue creating these bridges of knowledge and friendship, so valuable medicinal experiences continue being exchanged between the diaspora and Serbia. It is very important that doctors have this opportunity to exchange ideas in their fields of expertise. I hope that you will be able to further share the gained experience with your colleagues and help your patients, but also, all citizens of your countries”, said HRH Crown Princess Katherine on this occasion.

The Opening Ceremony was also addressed by Prof Dr. Aleksandar Simić, representative of the Royal Serbian Medical Association and member of the organizing committee of the Conference as well as Director of the Serbian Medical Chamber, Dr. Miodrag Stanić, who on this occasion presented an award of the Chamber to the Crown Princess and deserving doctors, Prof. Dr Vesnа Garović, Prof. Dr Idа Jovanović, and Prof. Dr Nevenа Sečen. Prof. Dr Zoran Todorović, member of the Royal Serbian Medical Association and the Royal Medical Board, gave a lecture "Ethical Challenges of Introducing New Digital Technologies in Modern Medicine" as part of the opening ceremony. Members of the organising Committee of this year’s Conference are also Dr Nataša and Dr Nenad Zlatarić.

“At a time when medicine and science are advancing faster than ever, while at the same time we are facing new challenges and opportunities, especially in the fields of health and education, cooperation between the homeland and the diaspora is gaining immeasurable importance. That is why this, the 16th in a row, Conference of the Serbian Medical Diaspora goes far beyond the framework of professional and scientific exchange. This conference testifies to the strength of tradition and perseverance, to the values ​​of unity and solidarity, as well as to the unbreakable connection of experience and innovation, but also the achievements of the present and the vision of the future. It represents an event of special national importance.

The Serbian medical diaspora represents one of the most valuable treasures of our people. Our experts occupy the most prominent places in the world's most prestigious hospitals, universities, and scientific centers. Their successes are a reason for pride for all of Serbia, although very often they are not sufficiently recognized or highlighted in our public. However, what makes this community particularly valuable is not only its professional reputation, but also the willingness of our doctors around the world to selflessly share their knowledge, experience, and contacts with their colleagues in Serbia, to participate in joint projects and to support the younger generations. In this way, they confirm their sincere desire to put their highest professional achievements at the service of their people and actively contribute to the development of the healthcare system of their homeland,” said Professor Simić in his address.

"The Serbian Medical Chamber is a proud and long-standing partner of this conference. Our commitment is to provide ongoing support to scientific gatherings such as the Serbian Diaspora Medical Conference, which carefully select topics and lecturers of the highest professional rank, enabling significant progress in the scientific, academic, and practical aspects of medicine in our country and the diaspora. Before us is a combination of wisdom, experience, and dedication of our distinguished professors and teachers, domestic doctors, experts, and our colleagues from the diaspora.

Their role is invaluable - they not only transmit professional knowledge, but also instill noble values ​​of humanity, ethics, and love for medicine as a calling. Thus, they educate not only doctors, but also create noble and responsible people, which gives us confidence in the future of our profession and the well-being of the patients we serve. Our profession is not just a calling, but a permanent commitment that leads us to daily question the boundaries of our knowledge, but also the depth of humanity and compassion. In this light, every meeting of our teachers, leaders, and colleagues from the country and the world is a beacon that illuminates the path taken by medicine as a science and medicine as a service to human dignity and life.

I would like to express special gratitude to Their Royal Highnesses, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, for their dedication to the improvement and promotion of our healthcare system, but also for the constant inspiration they provide through their exceptionally humane and patriotic actions aimed at the welfare of our homeland and people,” said Dr. Stanić in his address.

In addition to the lectures, Their Royal Highnesses are hosting a formal reception and a dinner for organizers and lecturers at the Royal Palace tonight.

The Serbian Diaspora Medical Conference is held under the patronage of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, organized by the Royal Serbian Medical Association and HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Health, the Serbian Medical Chamber, the Royal Medical Board, and HRH Crown Prince Alexander’s Foundation for Education and Culture.

This year’s Conference was organized with the great support of the companies: General sponsor – Nova Vizantija, Silver sponsor: Sandoz, Symposium sponsors: Novo Nordisk, and B Braun, as well as sponsors: Goodwill, Cord IPS, Inpharm, Genesis, Lilly, Biosave, Salveo, AB Trade, Pharmaidea, and PRO Sound.

The next Serbian Diaspora Medical Conference will be held from 3 to 5 June 2027.