Congratulations to Professor Pedja Kovacevic for receiving the 2025 Barry A. Shapiro Memorial Award by the SCCM

Professor Pedja Kovacevic has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 Barry A. Shapiro Memorial Award for Excellence in Intensive Care Management by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). This distinguished award recognises his transformative contributions to intensive care medicine, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and brings great pride to the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), where he served as national representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2022 to 2024.
Professor Kovacevic is the founder and head of the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka—the first and only MICU in the country. Established in 2008, the unit was created in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and has grown from a modest team to a fully equipped, ISO 9001:2015-certified level III facility. It supports complex interventions such as vvECMO and targeted temperature management, serving as a regional reference centre.
His return to Bosnia following international training at the University Hospital of Heidelberg and the Mayo Clinic marked the beginning of a national transformation. He developed the country’s first intensive care curriculum, endorsed internationally and adopted as part of official medical training. As Director of the program at the University of Banja Luka, he continues to train the next generation of ICU professionals.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Kovacevic expanded ICU capacity across the Republic of Srpska, an effort recognised by the World Health Organization. His initiatives, including tele-education with global partners, have further advanced care despite resource challenges.

This landmark achievement will be highlighted in a national TV interview in the Republic of Srpska, featuring Dr. Jose L. Pascual, SCCM President, who will discuss the origins and significance of the award. Prof. Jan De Waele, ESICM President, and Prof. Marlies Ostermann, ESICM President-Elect, will speak about ESICM’s vital role in supporting intensive care in developing regions and the broader importance of this recognition for the healthcare community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through this honour, Professor Kovacevic not only celebrates personal excellence but also underscores the power of vision, collaboration, and leadership in transforming intensive care for an entire nation. The ESICM proudly celebrates this milestone with him as a symbol of progress, dedication, and international solidarity in our field.