Memorial day honoring prof. Čupak and the “Young Ophthalmologists” symposium held

Zagreb, May 29, 2017 – For the seventh consecutive year, KBC Zagreb hosted a Memorial Day in honor of Prof. Krešimir Čupak, MD, PhD. In addition to commemorating one of the leading figures in ophthalmology in the region, twelve young ophthalmologists presented their research at the “Young Ophthalmologists” mini-symposium. Four of the most outstanding presentations were recognized with awards from the Foundation established by Prof. Ljiljana Zergollern, MD, PhD and Prof. Krešimir Čupak, MD, PhD.

“Professor Čupak was always surrounded by young colleagues to whom he passed on his knowledge and experience. He enjoyed working with young people and supported their professional development. He had a special ability to bring advanced technologies from the West and implement them here in Croatia,” said Associate Professor Tomislav Jukić, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at KBC Zagreb. “The 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine is an opportunity to remember the great individuals who helped make our medical school one of the University’s leading institutions and who contributed to our university being ranked among the top 2.2% of universities worldwide,” said Dean Prof. Marijan Klarica.

Prof. Mladen Bušić, Director of Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital, recalled Prof. Čupak’s career. “He was the director of our oldest hospital, Sveti Duh, continued his career at Vinogradska Hospital, made his greatest contribution at KBC Zagreb, and concluded his career at Svjetlost,” said Prof. Bušić, adding that this is why all of these institutions co-organize the Memorial Day every year. “Prof. Čupak was distinguished by two particular qualities: his openness to young people and his support for their development at every level, as well as his prolific academic and publishing work, which was unparalleled in this region,” he added.

“Today, it is difficult to imagine what ophthalmology looked like in our hospitals before Prof. Čupak. Every person is defined by four things: passion, dedication, focus and vision. Passion is essential because it means that we enjoy what we do. How far we go in life depends on how much we invest in ourselves. True mentors do not merely teach you a profession; they teach you about life. I strive to pass on to my own students much of what I learned from Prof. Čupak,” said Prof. Nikica Gabrić, MD, PhD.

Award-Winning Papers

• “Primary Malignant Tumor of the Eyelid – A Case Report” – Maja Bakula, MD, KBC Zagreb
• “Corneal Stem Cell Transplantation” – Adi Pašalić, MD, Svjetlost
• “Does Regenerative Matrix Therapy Help in the Healing of Corneal Damage by Reducing Sensitivity?” – Karla Ranđelović, MD, KBC Sestre Milosrdnice
• “Pars Plana Vitrectomy – Treatment of Vitreomacular Traction in X-Linked Retinoschisis” – David Grašić, MD, Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital

The foundation established by the couple in 2009 has, to date, provided scholarships to 23 doctoral students in pediatrics and ophthalmology and awarded 35 financial prizes for the best research papers by young ophthalmologists.

“Our mission was to invest in young people, and every year you demonstrate here that this investment pays off many times over. That makes me immensely happy,” concluded Prof. Ljiljana Zergollern Čupak.

The program for the “Young Ophthalmologists” symposium can be found HERE.