Prof. Dr. Nebojša Nick Knežević from Chicago once again shows us that he is a world-class expert and certainly a role model for younger colleagues and students.
To the list of numerous awards and recognitions, he adds another, the latest one – he is ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world, on the Stanford University list.
How significant is this recognition, what does it mean for you personally above all?
Being included among the top 2% of scientists in the world is a great recognition, because it is proof that the research we do has a global impact. This ranking is a recognition not only for me, but also for all colleagues, students, and residents with whom I have worked in previous years. I sincerely hope that this will be an inspiration and motivation for younger colleagues to realize that anyone who continuously invests in research and collaborates with colleagues can reach this level, says Prof. Dr. Nick Knežević.
What does this mean for the profession, for colleagues, who can reach this level?
Stanford University and the publishing house Elsevier create this prestigious list every year and highlight the most influential scientists in the world based on citations in 22 scientific fields. The ranking is derived from bibliometric data in Scopus, the leading database of abstracts and citations of peer-reviewed literature. Experts from Stanford University analyze this data and rank scientists according to metrics such as total number of citations and h-index. Anyone who is long-term dedicated to research, learning, and sharing knowledge can reach this level, emphasizes Prof. Dr. Nick Knežević.
How much is this now an incentive for your further work?
This recognition is a strong incentive for me to continue. It shows that effort and dedication are valued, but also that much more can be done for the benefit of patients and the scientific community. For many years now, I have been trying to show students and younger colleagues how, as doctors engaged in scientific research, they can help not only their patients but the whole world.
Your focus in the previous period has also been directed toward healing the soul and viewing the patient from all aspects?
As a doctor with more than 20 years of experience, I realized that treating symptoms is only a small part of medicine, and that for the recovery and healing of the patient, it is important to observe and understand the person as a whole. In my work, I try to view the patient not only through laboratory analyses and scans, but also through their emotions, lifestyle, and psychological state. My philosophy is that physical health cannot go without spiritual well-being. Healing the soul and understanding the patient is just as important to me as the therapy for the disease itself. When a patient feels heard, understood, and supported, then the medical treatment also yields much better results.
In recent years, I have paid special attention to this holistic approach, because I believe that only then can we talk about complete recovery.
Plans for the next period?
My plans are to work even harder on spreading awareness about the importance of mental health and understanding its connection with physical health. I want people to realize that a large number of physical diseases are actually of a psychosomatic nature – that the body often reacts to what the soul and mind are going through. Unfortunately, this fast-paced system of life has taken a toll on the world, including Serbia, and the importance of a holistic approach is not recognized. I want to transfer experience through mentoring and motivate new generations of holistic doctors and physician-scientists, announces Prof. Dr. Nebojša Nick Knežević.
A message for young colleagues, how to always be better than yourself?
A huge problem of the modern world and social networks is that we always want to be better than others, but if we focus instead on being better compared to ourselves, we will have much healthier progress. I would tell young colleagues to be patient and persistent, not to give up in the face of obstacles, and to constantly work on themselves. Science and medicine require dedication, long-term commitment, and sacrifice, but the feeling that you have helped many and advanced knowledge is a huge reward. I am happy when I hear from students and younger colleagues that I am a role model for them, because I believe that the greatest reward for any professor is precisely that his students one day become better than him.
How do you relax?
My friends say that when they look at my Instagram “story,” I am either at the gym or in a tavern. Physical activity, such as walks, going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, helps me a lot, not only for maintaining my physical health but also for my mental health. A tavern with family and friends, i.e., singing, is real music therapy for me and helps me recharge my batteries, Prof. Dr. Nick Knežević honestly shares.
Prof. Dr. Nebojša Nick Knežević shows and proves to us year after year that persistence and dedication have no limits, and also that the best in their work are always ready to share their knowledge with others, because only then does their mission make sense.
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Source: Chicago dešavanja / Snežana Lazić; Photo: Privatna arhiva