About business and heritage
Natal Polyclinic is a family business with a tradition of 32 years. How did you take over the business and what was the most important thing in the transition process?
Natal Polyclinic is a family business with a tradition of more than 32 years. It was established as the first private gynecological clinic in Montenegro, founded by the family of my husband, Miroslav. Over time, we have built a reputation as a reliable healthcare institution where patients have been coming for generations. When the time came to reorganize the family business, my husband and I felt a great responsibility, but also an honor, to be the new generation that will continue this story. Taking over the business was not just a business decision for us – it was, above all, an emotional moment, because we were taking over a legacy that has shaped the lives of many women and families.
From the very beginning, Miroslav and I have been making key decisions together regarding the company’s development and strategy. Our greatest strength is that we complement each other, both professionally and personally. Today, after more than seven years, we can proudly say that the transition was successful. I believe that the key to success was that we always respected the spirit of Natal – its tradition, values and trust that we inherited, while at the same time gradually improving and adapting it to the modern needs of women.
What key changes did you introduce after taking over the polyclinic and what were the results of those reforms?
After we took over the management of the Natal Polyclinic, our goal was to preserve tradition and introduce modern standards. We focused on digitalizing processes, modernizing equipment, and introducing ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 standards. At the same time, we clearly defined that our primary focus was women's health, and we built a polyclinic where women could receive all services in one place - from preventive examinations, diagnostics, and treatment, through pregnancy management, to non-surgical aesthetic treatments. We carefully selected devices that set standards in modern medicine, in order to provide doctors with the best working conditions, and patients with examinations on the most modern equipment and the most accurate diagnostics. Modern medicine today is unthinkable without advanced technology, which is why we consciously invested in equipment that enables top results and raises the quality of healthcare to the highest level.
Equipment that we particularly highlight:
- We are the only ones in Montenegro to own two gynecological ultrasound machines, the General Electric Voluson E10, as well as the Voluson S10, machines that represent the very top of prenatal diagnostics and enable the most precise pregnancy management;
- The radiology room is equipped with a Samsung V8 ultrasound machine with advanced software and artificial intelligence for breast diagnostics, as well as a digital 3D mammogram with tomosynthesis, which significantly improves the quality and accuracy of imaging;
- The dermatology office is equipped with the most advanced FotoFinder mole mapping system, which enables the most precise digital dermoscopy and early detection of skin changes, and which we are also the only one in Montenegro to have.
These investments allow us to provide women with a level of diagnostics and care that is fully comparable to leading European clinics.
The results of the reforms are visible: a higher level of organization, greater team efficiency, safer systems, more advanced diagnostics and, most importantly, even greater trust from our patients.
In this way, we managed to combine a tradition spanning more than three decades with the standards of a modern, digital, and responsible healthcare institution.
The clinic currently operates in three locations. What was the main motivation for the expansion and how did you choose the concept for each location?
The expansion was a natural response to the growing needs of our patients. We particularly recognized the importance of quality care for our youngest patients, as well as the need for reliable laboratory analyses, which rounded out our complete diagnostics.
As a result, we operate in three locations today:
• Poliklinika Natal, City kvart – a modernly equipped polyclinic that offers a wide range of specialist examinations: gynecology, radiology, dermatology, internal medicine (oncology, cardiology, pulmonology...), ENT and surgical outpatient clinic;
• Pediatrics Natal Kids – a pediatric practice dedicated to comprehensive child care, from preventive examinations and diagnostics to treatment and development monitoring;
• Lab Medical Old Airport, a modern laboratory equipped for fast, reliable and precise analyses, including a PCR cabinet that enables the highest level of safety and accuracy in sample processing.
Each location has a clear purpose and concept, which makes it easier for patients to choose and allows us to provide the highest level of service.
Organization and health services
How have you improved your business organization to make services faster, more accessible, and more patient-friendly?
We have focused on digitizing processes and improving internal organization, so that our patients can get their examinations and findings faster. We are constantly developing this process and in the future we plan to further improve digital solutions that will further simplify and accelerate the provision of services. What I consider equally important is that we do not view patients as numbers – everyone has their own time, space and attention. We strive to make our approach personal, and the service fast, accessible and tailored to their real needs.
What is your vision of healthcare in the private sector in Montenegro and what standards do you consider to be key?
Our vision of private healthcare in Montenegro is a system where the patient is truly at the center – where expertise, clear standards, ethics and empathy are implicit. We believe in the responsible application of AI technologies that do not replace doctors, but enable them to achieve greater precision, faster diagnostics and more efficient time management. AI can significantly speed up the appointment process, reduce waiting times and make healthcare more accessible. All of this together builds an experience in which the patient feels safe, respected and truly cared for.
How do you select doctors and associates for Natal and how do you want to differentiate yourself from other healthcare facilities?
We select doctors and associates solely based on their expertise, professional integrity and relationship with patients. In Natal, we have doctors with whom we have been working for more than 15 and 20 years, and our head nurse has been part of the team for 30 years. This shows the stability, trust and professional culture that we have been building for decades. We believe that healthy competition is good, because it constantly encourages us to be better and progress. What we want to differentiate ourselves by is our personal approach to the patient – so that no one is just a number, but a person to whom we dedicate time, attention and top expertise.
EY Arts and Leadership
You spent over a decade at EY, working on international projects in London and New York. What leadership lessons do you take away from that period?
Working at EY, a firm with over 500.000 employees in more than 150 countries and one of the four largest global audit firms, marked my professional maturation. Coming from Montenegro to the world's two largest financial metropolises – London and New York – was neither a simple nor an easy journey. That experience shaped me in ways I could not have imagined at the time.
London taught me discipline, high standards of work and clear structure. New York taught me speed, competition and the fact that boundaries don’t really exist – except in our heads. Through meeting people from all over the world, through new cultures, different leadership styles and the teams I led, I too changed. Every project, every deadline, every responsibility built my professional security and broadened my horizons. I don’t believe in overnight success. For everything I have achieved, I have studied a lot, worked a lot, often more than expected. It was a period in which I learned that results are not achieved by chance – but through knowledge, dedication, perseverance and a willingness to take responsibility.
The most important lessons I take away are:
- leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege;
- a team is built through trust, authenticity and example;
- precision, ethics and courage in decision-making are essential;
- Openness to diversity makes you a better leader and a better person.
Everything I apply today in running a family health system – from structure to mindset – is deeply rooted in my years at EY.
How do you combine two responsible roles – the owner of a polyclinic and the director of EY Montenegro? What is the biggest challenge, how do you balance it?
The biggest challenge is always time – but what I have learned over the years is that balance is not achieved through perfection, but by wisely choosing priorities at a given moment. Running a polyclinic and EY Montenegro at the same time is demanding, but not impossible when you have a good system and, above all, a good team. I do not believe in the concept of a “one-man show”. Long-term success never depends on one person. I believe in a team that breathes as one, in professionals who rely on, complement and push each other forward. Such energy makes a difference and provides stability in dynamic days. It is also a huge advantage that my life partner is also my business partner. Miroslav and I are a team in every sense – both personally and professionally. He runs marketing and sales, I run finances and structure, and it is precisely this division, trust and mutual complementarity that makes everything work. We are each other’s greatest support and we make decisions together, carrying both responsibility and success.
How does experience in auditing and working with global financial institutions influence the management of a family healthcare business?
Auditing taught me structure, objectivity and risk perception. Family business taught me warmth, flexibility and humanity. That combination is ideal: a cool head and a warm heart make decisions efficient, but human.
Development and innovation
What innovations do you plan in the coming period in healthcare services?
In the coming period, we plan to further improve the IT sector and introduce solutions based on artificial intelligence that will improve diagnostics, speed up processes and make the work of doctors easier. We see AI as a tool that can improve the quality of healthcare services, but never as a replacement for humans. That is why I would like to emphasize that, regardless of technological progress, respect for humans – patients and doctors – will always be at the center of our work. Humanity, communication and trust remain the foundation of everything we do, and technology is here to further support and improve this.
How do you see the future of private healthcare in Montenegro and what changes do you expect in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I expect that private healthcare in Montenegro will continue to grow, as patients increasingly demand faster, higher quality and personalized service. Special emphasis will be placed on digital technologies, telemedicine and modern diagnostics, which will make the private sector even more efficient and accessible. I also believe that cooperation between private and public healthcare is crucial, because only by working together can we progress and provide the best results. In the end, the focus for all of us should remain the same – patient health and quality medical care.
Personal values and balance
You are a mother of three and a leader in two very demanding fields. How do you organize your daily routine and what helps you stay focused and stable the most?
Work can be demanding, the dynamics can be fast-paced, but family is my center and my most important compass. Organizing my day is a combination of planning, discipline and flexibility. I plan ahead, delegate tasks and set priorities, but I leave room for the unexpected. I have learned to accept that I can't always do everything perfectly, but I can allocate my energy wisely: when I work – I work dedicatedly, and when I am with my children – it is time without compromise.
What keeps me stable are three things: happiness, contentment, and gratitude. When you truly feel gratitude for what you have, everything falls into place differently. Gratitude to God and the sense of purpose I have in everything I do give me peace and strength to get through even the most challenging days. When you know why you're doing it, it's easier to find the how.
What value is most important in a family company and how do you foster it in the team and business culture?
Trust is a core value of our family-owned company. We foster it through complete transparency in communication, consistency in decisions, and genuine empathy in relationships. We strive to ensure that every team member knows they are respected and that their voice counts.
When there is trust, responsibility, passion for work, and a sense of belonging are born, and this is exactly what makes Natal a community in which people grow together with the company.
Inspiration and leadership of women
Who inspired you on your path to entrepreneurship and leadership?
I find inspiration in the women of our country throughout history. Our grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and mothers often sacrificed themselves in difficult times, without the opportunity for education or professional development. The word “sacrifice” describes their lives. It is important to me that today, if you sacrifice, it is for yourself and your dreams, and not because of the expectations of society. That sense of challenge between imposed expectations and your own choices is a lasting inspiration that gives me the strength and satisfaction to stand behind my choices and to define success by my own standards.
What advice would you give to young women who want to build a career in finance or healthcare entrepreneurship?
Regardless of the field they choose – whether they are doctors, lawyers, judges, economists or entrepreneurs – three things are always the same and crucial to success: love for what you do, 100% dedication and patience.
From my experience, I can say that when you do what moves you, invest all your knowledge and energy, and have the patience to let the process unfold, results inevitably appear. Motivation and satisfaction do not come from outside, but from within, you have to find it within yourself through your life values and true desires.
Hard work, dedication, and patience always pay off – and that's a life lesson I live every day.
(Poliklinika Natal i EY Montenegro)
