Interview with Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç
Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç: Kosova College of Surgeons – added value to the surgical community.
The Kosova College of Surgeons, according to Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç, head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo, has made a big impact in the organization, information and communication of the community of surgeons in Kosova and the diaspora. In an interview for the Kosova College of Surgeons, she stated that personally, as a CARDIAC SURGEON, she has offered cooperation and professional services to her country of origin, Kosova, since 2008.
-The Kosova College of Surgeons is preparing for the next Congress. Since you were part of the First Clinical Congress, and you will also participate in the Third KCS Congress held this year on October 12-15, how do you assess the development of the two KCS Congresses?
Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç: The establishment of the Kosova College of Surgeons is a step and an event for the entire community of surgeons both in Kosova and for all those who work in surgery in Europe and America, and who at the same time present the values and virtues of the Albanian people everywhere they work and act.
The Kosova College of Surgeons, of course, at the beginning there were some challenges, which is natural, but I think that with time the Third Congress, which this year will be held in October, will be even more professional and comprehensive for the community of surgeons, and will have added value for the Kosova College of Surgeons.
-Since the purpose of the Kosova College of Surgeons is to gather world surgeons, especially of the Albanian diaspora, how much do you think Albanian surgeons are aware of the mission and activities of the KCS?
Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç: I think that the Kosova College of Surgeons has made a big impact in the organization, information and communication of the community of surgeons in the diaspora and that the Albanian surgical experts in the diaspora are now informed, but their commitments in the places where they work and operate should be taken into consideration.
-Albanian surgeons have achieved many successes in science and in their work in different countries of the world. However, their engagement in the country of origin remains insufficient. How do you think they can engage and contribute more in Kosova?
Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç: It is true that Albanian surgeons around the world have reached the highest levels of professionalism and surgical expertise, and that expertise and potential should be used to the maximum, and we can say that one form of offering this professional potential is naturally also through presentations, lectures in the Kosova College of Surgeons, and thanks to the great commitment of Prof. Dr. Rifat Latifi and the community of surgeons of Kosova who formed it.
Personally, as a CARDIAC SURGEON, I have offered my cooperation and the provision of professional services to my country of origin, Kosova, since 2008 with my entire team, but there has been neither the will nor the desire from the state institutions to offer our contribution to the country of origin and the people, which is so much needed.
Over the years since this period, I have had televised presentations in Kosova, through various mediums, but the first time that my professional presentation and as a cardiac surgeon with long experience, were in the Kosovar professional auditorium, was at the first Congress of the Kosova College of Surgeons.
The Minister of Health should compile the health and state policies of Kosova, to push the engagement process of Albanian surgeons in the diaspora, either through professional training, positions and engagements in the public health system of Kosova.
-The Kosova College of Surgeons is based on the continuous education of specialists of various surgical disciplines, as well as surgical residents and students, through courses, workshops and committees. How much are you willing to contribute in this direction?
Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç: Once again I say that in different forms, I have been and still am ready to offer my professional expertise from the specific and most challenging field of surgery, such as the one I own – that of CARDIOSURGERY.
The Profile of Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdiç
Prof. Dr. Ilirijana Haxhibeqiri – Karabdić is a Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology – Sarajevo Medical School, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Head of the Department for Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo. She is a member of the Association of Surgeons of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Internal Medicine Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Association for Assist Device, Ronald Hetzer International Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Society (RHICS), European Association for Cardiac – Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), and the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS). She is a mentor and co-mentor for specializations and fellowships from Cardiovascular Surgery assigned by the Ministry of Health of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Prof. Dr. Haxhibeqiri-Karabdić is a member of the Commitee for Development and Improvement of Cardiac Surgery at the level of state in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She was President of the Ethical Commitee of the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo from 2016 to 2020. She participated in various workshops, congresses, education and seminars all over the world (Paris, London, Berlin, Bruxelles, Barcelona, Houston etc.). She was a Visiting Professor at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, USA in 2019.
Prof. Dr. Haxhibeqiri-Karabdić graduated from the Medical Faculty of University in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994. She concluded her internship at John Radcliffe Hospital in London, United Kingdom, from 1995 to 1996. Moreover, in 1997 she began working at the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo. She completed her specialization in Cardiovascular Surgery in 2004 in Deutsche Herzzentrum Berlin in Berlin, Germany, under the mentorship of Prof.Dr. Ronald Hetzer, Prof.Dr. Miralem Pašić, and Prof. Dr. Charles Yankah. While working in Berlin, she was a member of a team for heart transplants and Mechanical Circulatory Support. She became the first person in Bosnia and Herzegovina who achieved obtaining a specialization in Cardiovascular Surgery. Prof. Dr. Haxhibeqiri-Karabdić became a Master of Medical Sciences – Cardiac Surgery in 2008. She received her PhD in 2014. Additionally, in 2014 she became an Assistant Professor. In 2018, she became a Professor of Cardiac Surgery. She is the author of many scientific articles, and also an author and co-author of several books. Moreover, in 2018, she received an Award for the development, outstanding achievement, and improvement of health in Bosnia and Herzegovina.