Clinic No. 1 of the Kragujevac Health Center - the oldest clinic in the city, built in 1926 and now providing care to more than 14,000 residents of the central urban area - has been named after Dr. Elizabeth Ross.
The commemorative plaque featuring a portrait of Dr. Ross, a member of the British medical mission who, guided by humanitarian principles, came to Serbia during the First World War to treat patients suffering from typhus, was unveiled by H.E. Edward Ferguson, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Dašić, Mayor of Kragujevac, and Dr. Vasilije Antić, Director of the Kragujevac Health Center.
Addressing those present, Ambassador Ferguson emphasized that this is a special day that reflects the strong historical ties between the two nations. He also said that Dr. Elizabeth Ross stands as a symbol of dedication and true friendship. The fact that both a healthcare institution and a street in Kragujevac bear her name, and that the anniversary of her death is commemorated every February 14, speaks to the deep and lasting respect that exists. She was not only a physician, but someone who shared the fate of her patients to the very end, the Ambassador stated, adding that the partnership between Serbia and the United Kingdom, initiated in difficult historical circumstances, continues to develop successfully today.
Mayor Nikola Dašić stated that this act carries special significance, as the clinic is no longer merely a number, but now bears a name deeply etched in the history of Kragujevac and the Serbian people. He pointed out that Dr. Ross is a figure whom the people of Kragujevac have long regarded as one of their own. Guided solely by humanitarian principles and a love for human life, she left her homeland to help a people she did not know, Dašić recalled, stressing that such an act can only be inspired by the highest human values.
Her story remains a lasting example of dedication and solidarity, as well as proof that bonds between nations are built on respect and unity. Elizabeth Ross is, and will remain, one of our own in Kragujevac, Dašić said, adding that Kragujevac is a city that remembers and honors those who have left a lasting mark on it and its citizens.
The decision to name the clinic after Dr. Elizabeth Ross was made in order to highlight the example she represents, said Dr. Vasilije Antić, Director of the Kragujevac Health Center. As a key pillar of healthcare in the city, the clinic’s new name serves as a reminder of the values that form the foundation of the medical profession and that continue to guide physicians and medical staff in their work today, Antić concluded.
The event was preceded by a reception hosted at City Hall by the Mayor of Kragujevac, Nikola Dašić, and Danica Andanovski, Member of the City Council for International Cooperation and Local Self-Government, in honor of H.E. the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, during which contemporary cooperation was discussed. On that occasion, it was stated that there is significant room for further advancement, particularly in the fields of education, cultural exchange, and the economy, and that a solid foundation for strengthening economic ties is reflected in the approximately nine percent increase in foreign trade between Serbia and the United Kingdom in the previous year.
With this act, Kragujevac has once again affirmed that it does not forget those who have indebted the city and its citizens through their deeds, preserving the memory of a humanity that transcends time and borders.
