The Serbian American Medical and Dental Society (SAMDS) celebrated its patron saint’s day, Saint Cosmas and Damian, with a gala dinner last night at the Drake Hotel. Serbian doctors from all over the United States attended the celebration.
As is customary, the celebration began with a religious service led by Father Aleksandar Petrović, parish priest of the Church of Saint Stephen of Dečani in Chicago, with the assistance and chanting of Father Dragan Arsić, director of the Saint Sava Academy. The slava bread was broken by the members of the SAMDS board, led by President Dr. Nebojša Knežević and the host of the celebration, Dr. Vesna Simić, an ophthalmologist.
After the prayer, Father Aleksandar addressed the gathering, congratulating the doctors on their saint’s day and reminding them that Saints Cosmas and Damian represent a connection between faith and the medical profession.
“On behalf of the entire community, I thank you for your hard work and dedication. Your service is reminiscent of angelic work, and therefore I wish you success in your future work and may God always bless you and give you the strength to continue your wonderful work for the good of all people,” said Father Aleksandar. At the end of his address, he remembered the recently deceased Dr. Milenko Lazarević, a doyen of Serbian medicine in America, and invited those present to pray for his soul and the souls of all Serbian doctors who had passed away in the meantime.
After him, Dr. Vesna Simić, the host of the celebration, thanked her colleagues and guests:
“It is a great honor for me to greet you at the 32nd gala celebration of the Serbian Medical Association. Tonight we celebrate more than three decades of dedication, innovation, and commitment to the medical community. We are here not only to recognize the incredible contribution of Serbian medical professionals to the advancement of medicine but also to strengthen the bonds that unite us as a community in America. Your work touches many lives, and your dedication inspires the next generation of healthcare leaders,” said Dr. Simić.
After her address, there was a dinner, followed by a musical program featuring Dragana Rakčević, Marko Živković, and Mile Vujnović. The celebration was attended by the Deputy Consul and Assistant Consul of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago, Aleksandar Đorđević and Aleksandar Milić.
The Serbian Times editorial board congratulates the association of Serbian doctors in the USA on their Saint’s Day and wishes them much success in their future work, many lives saved, and those they help daily and give hope to.
Article/Photo/Video: Antonije Kovacevic