Dnevnik.hr brings a story about a Zagreb doctor with a big heart who, in addition to working at the hospital, volunteers and mentors young doctors.
Dr Kniewald has been a pediatric cardiologist for 20 years, Dnevnik.hr reports on August 15, 2017. He works at the Pediatric Cardiology Department at Zagreb’s Sestre milosrdnice (Sisters of charity) Hospital, taking care of his little patients, and making the process easier for their worried parents.
“Having your child fall ill is the most stressful situation for a parent, especially if the illness is serious,” Dr Kniewald says.
After finishing his shifts at the hospital, he volunteers at the Veliko srce malom srcu Association.
“People ask me what I get out of it. I don’t get anything if we’re talking about money, but I do get something much more valuable than that,” Dr Kniewald explains.
He always finds the time for an expert piece of advice or a warm suggestion so he makes his patients and their parents’ lives easier, which is why he is so popular among both groups.
Josip, one of the parents at the hospital, says that Dr Kniewald is the best doctor out there, and his son gives a thumbs up, with a big smile.
In addition to educating parents, Dr Kniewald and being a father to three children of his own, he mentors young doctors in training as well and volunteers at sports fields.
“Sometimes people panic when they stop after a long period of physical activity, so it’s important to know what you should do when a situation like that occurs,” he explains.
There are more than 10 thousand children in Croatia with congenital heart diseases and Dr Kniewald can’t remember how many he’s treated. What he does remember is each little patient’s story.
“I remember each case, they’re all different. I do my job with all my heart and I don’t block out my emotions,” Dr Kniewald concludes.
When asked who his biggest inspiration was, in an interview for Ponos Hrvatske, Dr Kniewald said it was his sister.
“She is six years older than I am and has cerebral palsy, in spite of which she has managed to graduate and now works as a teacher.”
Translated from Dnevnik.hr.
