Today we present a Bulgarian woman who is the personification of the fact that if one believes in their dreams, they will surely come. She is also a proof of something else – the difficulties along the way are not an obstacle but important life lessons. This is Dr. Alina Staikov, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, working in one of the largest specialized clinics in Zurich, Switzerland.

Her path from a student at the Medical Academy in Sofia to a specialist at Charité Hospital in Germany seemed predestined. As a student Alina volunteered in the surgical department of the hospital for emergency medicine "Pirogov" in Sofia. This was also where she met her future husband. The two decided to go to Germany together and there Alina continued specialising in prenatal health.

"I have been abroad for more than 22 years. After spending 7 years in Germany I went to Switzerland, where I live now. I have a medical practice there and I am also a consultant in one of the clinics for prenatal diagnostics," Dr. Staikov says about her life.

"Communication is what helps the doctor a lot. It is the key to reaching patients. The doctor must show not just superficial empathy, but real, emotional sympathy for the condition of patients who are facing a lot of uncertainty and fears. That's why when I train young colleagues in obstetrics and gynecology, I always make them imagine themselves being in the patient's place for at least an hour. Professionalism is one side of the work, but the humane approach is another very important aspect.”

Alina calls the difficulties she has encountered in her career abroad the best teachers. She says that obstacles teach a person how to cope successfully with tasks in the future. "This positive attitude helps me a lot. Waking up in the morning and taking a deep breath - there is no greater gift than this, but we often do not realize it and we forget that there are people for whom this is a great effort," Dr. Alina Staikov says and adds:

"My profession is my daily life. One should not expect to be paid for kindness. On the contrary, when we do something good, it means that we are grateful for the chance we have here. Only in this way can we achieve peace of mind and we pass this feeling on to others."

In Switzerland, Dr. Staikov feels at home. Her first impressions were that the country looks like Bulgaria, with lots of greenery and quiet city streets. "I have never lost my connection with Bulgaria. I have plans to visit Bulgaria more often in the future, in order to share experience with colleagues," Dr. Alina Staikov says.

Author: Gergana Mancheva

English: Alexander Markov