WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Majda Hadziahmetovic, MD, was born in Serbia, where she grew up and finished medical school. She was always scientifically curious and exposed to research from an early age. The research she conducted during her first 2 years of medical school helped her achieve a scholarship to pursue research opportunities in the United States. After 2 wonderful years at Harvard School of Public Health, she knew the United States would be her final destination. Upon finishing medical school, she returned to the United States. While working as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Joshua L. Dunaief, MD, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania, she completed the boards. After a 1-year general surgery internship, she started a residency in Ophthalmology. She went on to a fellowship in medical retina at the Duke Eye Center and then remained as a faculty member. She admits that it was not an easy path, but believes it was the best one for her and made her who she is today.
HER PATH TO RETINA
Dr. Dunaief had the most significant influence on her decision to pursue a clinician-scientist career in ophthalmology. The excitement of new discoveries, as well as writing (and publishing) papers, was inspiring. Also, he had a unique way of transitioning bench-work findings into everyday clinical practice and engaging his patients to be more involved in their own care. Dr. Hadziahmetovic is reminded of his teaching every time she gets a text or an email from a patient sharing new research discoveries with her.
Dr. Hadziahmetovic’s Advice: Try to thrive in an environment of change and challenge. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, admit that you do not know or cannot do something, and ask for help. Finally, help others whenever you can—that is what medicine is all about.
SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
Professor Tatjana Simic, MD, guided Dr. Hadziahmetovic early in her career, reinforcing that women could be equally (if not more) successful in research than men. At Harvard, Bruce Demple, PhD, welcomed her to the United States for the first time, and she had an incredible 2 years working with him. Dr. Dunaief had the most significant effect on her ophthalmology and retina career; anyone who has met him knows how wonderful of a teacher and mentor he is. Dr. Hadziahmetovic would be remiss not to mention Scott Cousins, MD, at Duke. He encouraged her analytical and critical thinking and a perfectionist view toward science. She has encountered many other amazing people throughout her career who have guided her to be a better person and professional—many of whom are her close friends today.
AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
There are many situations in which you do something that helps people and improves their lives (or at least you want to believe that is true). That feeling fuels her efforts to be a better clinician, read and learn more, conduct research, and participate in clinical trials. In addition, those moments are a constant reminder to be grateful for your and your family’s health.
