Our interlocutor is a pioneer in the fields of preventive, aesthetic and anti-aging medicine who is also highly rated beyond the borders of our country. Declared a key opinion leader and appointed as an ambassador of Teoxane, one of the world’s most renowned companies, she has also received accolades for her many decades of work
Here Dr Ioanna Batsialou Ph.D. discusses her route to the top, successes, colleagues and relations with patients, her love for medicine and science, but also role models and plans, with CorD Magazine.
What does business success mean to you?
The acknowledgement I received by being declared a key opinion leader is a sign of my enduring work that has also been recognised at the European level. Success does not come by itself; it is the consequence of learning and effort exerted over the last 20 years, dedication, love for patients and medicine, for human beings.
It is even more satisfying that my work was recognised by someone outside our country and that I thus became the ambassador of one of the most famous companies in the world: Teoxane. This means that my journey has been a successful one.
Apart from the recognition I receive from the professional public, as a doctor I hold presentations in companies and speak at world congresses, or I am sought out by large clinics and hospitals around the world. We have been at the very top for the last 20 years. I’m aware of my position in Serbia and the Balkans, because I see my patients, who are loyal to me, and I’ve also introduced new therapies and concepts in the fields of preventive, aesthetic and anti-aging medicine. I am proud that entire families come to us – mothers, daughters and grandmothers – and that they place their trust in us.
How does success in medicine differ from success in any other line of business?
Medicine is the largest college. It takes a long time to complete; specialisations are completed at the age of 35, while master’s studies at other colleges are completed by the age of 25. Young managers, lawyers or agronomists can make a name for themselves in those ten years, while we doctors are just beginning to prove our worth. Medicine is demanding; you have to love it.
I am proud that entire families come to us – mothers, daughters and grandmothers – and place their trust in us
When you manage to make a big name for yourself in medicine, it is difficult to preserve because anything can happen. When you are a private operator, any medical failure can mean the collapse of all of your work. And the negative connotations remain even if you’re not to blame. Medical failure is extremely costly, which is why we doctors don’t allow ourselves to make mistakes.
How important is it to have successful partners and associates?
I’m happy that my colleagues are more successful or better than I am. They are professors, have a lot of published papers, many patients etc. When you have such successful associates, you can be certain that your patients are in good hands. And when the patient is safe, the clinic is also safe. Successful partners raise the clinic to higher levels and that’s why we are in such high demand now.
I have great trust in my doctors, because they treat me and my whole family. The most important thing is to have in front of you a doctor who instills in you a sense of confidence with their knowledge, expertise and professionalism. You know yourself how important it is for a sick person not to wander around wasting time and money.
Who are your business idols that you look up to? Who or what inspires you?
My friends, professors from 20 years ago, were at the peak of their careers and in top form, and back then I wondered if I would ever manage to be like them. They are my role models, and I know that I’m also someone’s role model today. Those are innovators who came up with numerous therapies, improved upon them and led to anti-aging medicine becoming a serious branch of medicine. Today this also relates to the rejuvenating of internal organs, so not only rejuvenating the skin or wrinkles around the eyes, but rather the entire body.