Aleksandar Stevanović

Aleksandar Stevanović, MD

Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade
Social Medicine

What inspired you to study public health?

After completing medical school, I worked in clinical medicine, treating patients with neurological disorders. Early on, I realized the significance of social determinants of health and how they greatly impact the health outcomes of my patients, independent of their disease. This issue piqued my interest, and I decided to pursue a career in social medicine and public health, focusing on health inequities.

What has been the single most rewarding experience of your career or studies so far?

As a teaching assistant, I find teaching public health topics to my students to be the most rewarding part of my job. I strongly believe that medical doctors have the power to drive societal change, and it’s an honor to introduce my students to these important issues of our time. I try to keep things simple and direct, and I use real-life examples to help them understand the message. I often receive great feedback from my students, who are eager to make a positive impact in the communities they serve.

What do you hope to accomplish in your career?

I aspire to remain humble and contribute towards a peaceful future for our planet.

Advice:

Rarely does one need wise advice when young. It’s okay to make mistakes and this is when an honest hug or tap on the shoulder is welcome!