As part of the program “Transfer of Knowledge from Experts in the Diaspora to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” implemented by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, Dr. Azra Sadiković led a team of physicians from the United States during their stay in Sarajevo. Born in Travnik, Dr. Sadiković is the current Vice President of BHAAAS (the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences) and one of the leading experts in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She is building her professional career at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where she serves as Chief of the Division of Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.
Together with colleagues from the General Hospital “Prim. dr. Abdulah Nakaš” and the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo (KCUS), she performed several advanced gynecologic and urogynecologic laparoscopic procedures, while simultaneously sharing contemporary approaches and protocols in the field of endoscopic surgery.
For Dr. Azra Sadiković, this engagement represented not only a professional responsibility but also a deeply personal mission, strongly supported through the work of BHAAAS. As an organization, BHAAAS continuously invests efforts through various programs and activities to actively involve its members in the transfer of knowledge and experience, encouraging them to share modern practices and professional achievements with colleagues in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through such initiatives, space is created for tangible contributions to the healthcare system and the strengthening of professional capacities in the country. Although surgery often leaves little free time, Dr. Sadiković emphasizes that she responds with particular pleasure to activities that enable her return and work in her homeland.
“My homeland is my root and my anchor. Giving back knowledge to the community I come from and contributing to the improvement of patient care in Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the most beautiful aspects of my professional journey. The strength of BHAAAS lies in building lasting bridges— institutional connections, mentorship, and partnerships. This is not about one-time visits, but about continuous collaboration that delivers measurable results,” she emphasizes.
During her visit in November 2025, the focus of her work was highly practical. In the operating rooms, working side by side with local colleagues, she participated in procedures that had not previously been performed routinely.
“In surgery, true success is the moment when colleagues continue to perform procedures independently. That is when you know that knowledge has truly been transferred,” says Dr. Sadiković, noting that the outcomes of this visit exceeded expectations.
She was particularly impressed by the openness and motivation of local medical teams.
“There is a strong theoretical foundation, solid operative skills, and a genuine desire for further professional development. With systemic support and continuous education, the potential is enormous,” she adds. Unlike traditional lectures, Dr. Sadiković strongly advocates for direct clinical work as the most effective form of education.
“In the operating room, knowledge becomes skill. That is where nuances are learned—those not found in textbooks, yet often making the difference between good and excellent surgery.”
Although she is building an international career today, her connection to her hometown of Travnik remains strong. During this visit, returning to the city of her childhood was filled with emotion.
“Travnik is part of my identity. My family, friends, and the roots of my first ambitions are there. That is where I fell in love with medicine, partly thanks to my father, who was a gynecologist,” she says.
Looking ahead, attention is already directed toward the 17th Days of BHAAAS, to be held in Sarajevo from June 4 to 7, 2026. Dr. Sadiković views this event as a regional hub of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, with planned symposia, panels, and hands-on workshops in gynecology, as well as many other disciplines.
Finally, her message to young physicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina is simple yet powerful:
“Be curious, persistent, and patient. Seek mentors, learning opportunities, and believe in your own abilities. Knowledge is universal, and borders exist only if we choose to accept them.”
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