Dr. Kenan Arnautović is known today to every student in the world, and how could he not be when this Sarajevo native from Travnik built an impressive global career in the wonderful world of neurosurgery in America? What's more, the entire American neurosurgical community is proud of the successes, achievements, and behavior in the operating room of a doctor who annually performs close to 400 operations, mostly on the human brain and spine, and especially two American states, Tennessee and Arkansas, and the city of Memphis, where the famous "Dr. A from Bosnia" lives and works with his family in recent years, who feels America as his country and never forgets where he comes from. In an interview with Kliker, the man who is known among his colleagues around the world for selflessly sharing and recommending his valuable knowledge, experience, and resources, especially to clinics and experts from his native country and the countries of the former Yugoslavia, talks extensively about his life and professional journey. , the newly elected US President Donald Trump, and his relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is his world and identity.Kliker: These days for Dr. Arnautović, all conversations in America begin and end with the newly elected President Donald Trump. Tell us what your impressions of the turbulent presidential campaign, the elections, and the current selection of members of the future cabinet, which will undoubtedly affect the fate of this country and the entire world. Arnautović: You are right. Behind us is one of the most unusual and turbulent presidential campaigns in the USA that we have witnessed in the last twenty-some years that we have lived here. I was not so surprised by this choice of America for two reasons. The first is that most often after the term of the president from among the Democrats, a Republican comes almost as a rule and vice versa. The second reason is the dissatisfaction of the American middle class, which has been under strong negative economic pressure for the past ten years and which has given the ruling party an answer that things must change. Of course, the newly elected set will be subject to a similar evaluation for four years. As for the impact of the newly banned President Trump's election on the fate of America and the entire world, every American administration has that strength and influence. I think we will witness certain tactical changes in American politics, but generally speaking, the basic direction of that policy has not changed for decades. In domestic politics, there will be Republican predominance in fiscal, social, and other policies in this cycle. I do not believe in any significant foreign policy changes instituted by Ronald Reagan, Bush Sr., and Jr., Clinton, and now Obama. Even though they were from different parties, the strong and unassailable America was always the common denominator. Finally, I am a supporter of the American philosophy that every change is an opportunity for improvement. Bob Dole, a politician I greatly respect, said the other day that America and the world will soon be pleasantly surprised by this change. Let's see. Kliker: To be honest, does Kenan Arnautovuć from Sarajevo feel as safe, calm, and proud today as he did when he came to this country? Arnautović: I, too, am not happy that xenophobic theses have recently appeared in the media and statements targeting specific racial, ethnic, and religious groups that are an integral part of the fabric of this country. However, the American geographic and population fabric is similar to the Bosnian one—it's like the skin of a leopard. One group will not be able to dominate the other, and vice versa. There are also many mechanisms for correcting the government in this society—executive, judicial, police, and legislative—and now, I would say, the media, which always corrects an anomaly if it appears. It is also an interesting phenomenon that many citizens in America are very armed. And those who may be threatening someone, but also those who are being threatened. So there is a balance of self-confidence and fear on all sides. As for me personally, I have lived for 22 years in Arkansas and Tennessee, two states that are in the South of the USA, conservative and overwhelmingly Republican. I am a friend, acquaintance, and financial donor to many politicians in Memphis, Tennessee, and our representatives in Washington. In conversation with them over the past 20 years, but in my life as an ordinary citizen with my neighbors, colleagues, and patients, I, a relatively "fresh immigrant," "Dr. A from Bosnia," have never experienced the slightest inconvenience. In fact, in Memphis, I have operated on 4–5000 people so far, and the vast majority of them are well and satisfied. I am a big fan and know many players and members of the management of the Memphis Grizzlies, an NBA team. When I go to any restaurant or mall in Memphis, many people recognize me and greet me with a smile on their faces. I feel Memphis is like my city. I thank him for everything he has given me, my neurosurgical career, and my family. America is my country to which I contribute a lot, and at the same time, I have all the rights like others. No less, no more. Kliker: Mr. Arnautović, even before coming to America, you were a successful and recognized neurosurgeon who put his knowledge and abilities to the service of the defense of his homeland. Here, you are now a world-renowned expert, so we are interested in whether this is a logical and normal path for the best student of the generation at the Faculty of Medicine. in Sarajevo or did something like that requires American experience and ambiance. Arnautović: Yes, I am proud that I spent a large part of the war (about three quarters) in Bosnia, with my people, working and operating at the Clinical Center in Koševo on hundreds of neurosurgical wounded in besieged Sarajevo. I was also a member of the surgical company of the Supreme Headquarters of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on foot with my team, I was among the first to medically break through the blockade of Mostar from Jablanica and worked in the Mostar War Hospital for about a month in 1993. As for my professional path, from my early youth, I learned from my late father Ibrahim and mother Azijada, a professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Sarajevo and a Master of Pharmacy, that every job, especially a professional one, must be done according to the system of perfection. From the beginning of my studies, I tried to study every exam to excellence, so at the end of my medical studies I "earned" an average grade of 9.73. Later, I had the unusual privilege of training at the University of Arkansas Neurosurgery Clinic with the best neurosurgeons in the world. To mention only professors Al-Mefty, Yasargil, and Boop. From them, I learned not only the most sophisticated secrets and technical finesse of neurosurgery but also many elements from the philosophy of life, relationships with colleagues and patients, professionalism, etc. One of the most important is to build bridges between people. In addition to the mentorship of these great people from the world of neurosurgery, I am forever honored to have become true friends with them, that we hear, see, and visit each other regularly, and that I feel at home in each of their homes. And they are our regular guests in Memphis. Their invitations for a decade and a half to teach with them every year at their neurosurgery courses across America are the greatest professional honor for me. Kliker: While preparing for this interview, I heard information from your colleagues and friends that you perform over 300 of the most complex operations on the brain and spine per year, which according to them require almost superhuman abilities and top education and experience. Tell us, do you talk about your experiences with your colleagues in BiH and how do they react when you tell them that you spend so much time in the operating room? Arnautović: I perform almost 400 neurosurgical operations a year. This is a really large number, as you say, perhaps half of the operations that are performed annually at some of the neurosurgical clinics in the Balkans. Such a working, neurosurgical pace requires knowledge, experience, and education, but also a highly professional team of assistants, anesthesiologists, and nurses, as well as top equipment. I am fortunate to work and lead neurosurgery in one of the largest hospitals in Tennessee, and that work environment is largely responsible for this kind of professional production. If someone had prophesied everything that happened in my life to a boy from Grbavica forty years ago, it would have sounded like a very unsavory joke. Kliker: How did you decide to become a "head doctor" in America, since we heard that neurosurgery specialization is the most difficult to obtain and complete? Arnautović: When I came to America for skull base subspecialization in Little Rock, Arkansas, and started publishing scientific papers, I always tried to make my work original, recognizable, and of high quality. That's how I managed to get the front page of the most important neurosurgical magazine—the Journal of Neurosurgery—three times. In addition, I did a specialization in neurosurgery again. It took eight long years of extremely hard work and sacrifice. Every morning I woke up at 4:30 in the morning and came home after seven in the evening, in addition, I was on call at the hospital every third night. I don't even know how I survived it. Now, when I look back, I am grateful that I had that opportunity because I got the education, experience, and self-confidence that I can do the vast majority of sophisticated neurosurgical operations on the brain and spine in the best possible way. And now, I do every operation as if it were my first or last, and I give 100% of myself. Kliker: Observing, treating, and researching the human brain, it is clear to everyone, can only be chosen, so I am interested in whether it is enough to be a top cold professional for a successful and happy ending or if some other dimension or preparation is also needed. How do you prepare? Arnautović: You need to be physically and mentally prepared for such efforts. I exercise regularly, mainly at home, where I built a gym with equipment. Also, my body requires seven to eight hours of sleep. I love listening to music on my iPhone that I have collected over the years. I also like reading books and magazines and writing. I write neurosurgical papers with younger colleagues, but also some of my private notes, memoirs, and observations. I have a large number of friends around the world that I hear from daily through social media. That's how I maintain dear friendships even though we don't live in the same city. These contacts enrich me and make me psychologically stronger every day. Kliker: You are one of the most engaged intellectuals of Bosnian origin in the North American region. You are one of the founders of the Bosnian American Academy of Sciences and Arts, you are actively involved in the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina, you tirelessly participate in providing professional assistance to our doctors and hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider message of the former state, which proves that you have not forgotten your homeland and homeland. What motivates you, Dr. Arnautović? Arnautović: The commitment to Bosnia that you mention is one of my hobbies. It's no secret that I passionately love Bosnia. I was born in Bosnia, and educated for a part; my brother lives in Bosnia with his family and friends; the graves of my parents and ancestors are there. It is my world and identity. I can never forget Bosnia; I always return to it with pleasure, several times a year. A colleague and friend from my clinic in Memphis, a great connoisseur of the Old and New Testaments, always told me that "From those to whom much is given, much is also given." expects.”I have been given a lot in my life, and I feel extremely good when I give part of it back to my homeland. That is my only reward and motivation. I can't help but mention another one of my hobbies: football. I have been a member and fan of the Željezničar Football Club since I can remember. I am also a big fan of the football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Whenever I have time, I get on a plane to watch a game of our national team. Kliker: Today, it seems to me more than ever, that Bosnia and Herzegovina is on a dangerous path that inevitably leads to poverty, instability, and even disappearance. How do you comment on this situation and what do you say to political decision-makers and citizens in your homeland? Arnautović: Bosnia is a wonderful country. I regularly, when I come to visit or when we hold the Days of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Sciences and Arts (BHAAAS) in Bosnia, bring my friends and colleagues from the USA. It's simply incredible how they all fell in love with Sarajevo, Zenica, Tuzla, Mostar, Brčko, Bihac, Neum, and the places we visited. Every time I go, there is a line of potential neurosurgeon travelers who want to come again. Two of them say that they will buy an apartment in Sarajevo. That says something about her beauty and attraction. For centuries, Bosnia has been under attack from its neighbors from near and far. Whenever there was an attempt to change its borders, a bloody war was fought, but in the end, Bosnia always survived. The greater the instability in Bosnia, the greater the instability in the region, and vice versa. Once a world war started in Sarajevo. I think the instigators of instability and arsonists know very well that their houses would also burn in the fire of war. In the case of changing the borders of Bosnia, the domino effect would change all borders in the Balkans. Everyone is fine when Bosnia is peaceful. The economic situation is difficult, but I think there are positive developments. They are slow. However, the growth and development of Sarajevo, Goražde, and some other areas are visible. There are of course other extremes and great poverty. Kliker: Kliker has recently received information that certain organizations that bring together Bosnians and Herzegovineans in the USA and Canada are seriously considering that in the next elections in BiH, the Diaspora has its candidate for the Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency. Is it realistic and feasible? Arnautović: I think that the Bosnian diaspora in the world must continue to improve its organization and communication. Everyone knows how much the Croatian diaspora helped Croatia in the war. The Bosnian diaspora has been helping Bosnia immeasurably for decades, not only with huge financial grants but also in many other ways. I think that the Bosnian diaspora will increasingly influence the economic and political conditions in the country in the future. Kliker: And finally Dr. Mr. Arnautović, we remind you of your earlier statement that you have a dream and wish that Sarajevo, Tuzla, Banjaluka, and Mostar be powerful medical centers where specialization in neurosurgery will be the same as you had in America. Can that dream and wish come true in this kind of BiH and with such leaders? Arnautović: I am proud to have had the honor in the past ten years to host about twenty colleagues from Osijek, Sarajevo, Mostar, Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Moscow who spent from 5 days to 2 months at my clinic in Memphis and learned something. Also, I am a frequent guest at neurosurgery in Zagreb, Osijek, Sarajevo, Novi Sad, and Belgrade. At some of these clinics, I was chosen as a neurosurgery teacher. Changes in the neurosurgical quality of these centers are visible every year. Colleagues from these centers as well as their families are my dear friends. We operate together, write papers, hold symposia and lectures, organize congresses, go on trips, and share dinners. They know very well that we opened the doors of American neurosurgery wide open for them. I will continue to do our part with my American colleagues. It is up to them how much they want to take from the menu. Halil Šetka (Kliker.info)
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