Vladimir Jevtič, 1944–2015

Vladimir Jevtič, with his undoubted drive and enthusiasm, not only developed his university Department of Radiology in Slovenia to truly international standards but was in many ways responsible for bringing the excellence of Slovenian radiology to the international stage. Today, the world of musculoskeletal radiology, in particular, is a poorer and sadder place following his untimely death. We have lost a dearly loved and esteemed colleague and friend.

Vladimir Jevtič, or Vlado as his many friends and colleagues will remember him, was born in Belgrade, Serbia. He graduated in medicine from the Medical Faculty in Rijeka, Croatia, and completed his residency in radiology at the Clinical Radiology Institute of the University Medical Centre (UMC), Ljubljana, Slovenia, between 1975 and 1979. Following a period working in Kuwait (1985–86) as a consultant radiologist, he returned to Ljubljana, becoming head of musculoskeletal radiology at UMC. His excellence and drive were rewarded when he was appointed head of the Clinical Radiology Institute of the UMC in 1989, a position he held with great distinction for 16 years. Initially appointed as an assistant in the Ljubljana Medical Faculty, he became assistant professor in 1988 following the successful submission of his PhD thesis. In 1993 he was elected associate professor, becoming full professor of radiology in the Ljubljana Medical Faculty in 2000 until 2010 when he moved to the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ljubljana University, a role incorporating radiologic technology.

In addition to masterminding the development of the Clinical Radiology Institute, he pursued his research interests, focusing particularly on joint disease. He was the author of a number of seminal publications including, in 1995, establishing the fundamental differences between rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative arthritis on MRI scanning.

Outside Slovenia, Vlado was both a welcomed academic radiologist and a wonderful ambassador for the newly liberated Slovenia following the breakup of the old Yugoslavia in 1991. He soon took on a prominent role as a lecturer and organizer on the wider European and international musculoskeletal stages. Between 1996 and 2002 he was a member of the executive council of the European Association of Radiology and European Congress of Radiology (later the European Society of Radiology). In 1993 he was one of the founders of the European Society of Skeletal Radiology, becoming president in 1998 and receiving the prestigious Honorary Membership of the Society in 2008. He was also an honorary member of the Austrian and Bosnian radiological societies. On the wider world stage, Vlado was elected to the select membership of the International Skeletal Society and was an enthusiastic participant until his failing health prevented attendance.

But what of Vlado the man? No one who met him will be able to forget his enthusiastic, bubbling personality, his generosity of spirit, and the kindness and warmth of his loyal friendship. His hospitality was legendary. We have only to recall one of his so-called light lunches that would turn out to be a gastronomic feast. Vlado had a secret weapon, his wonderful wife Vanda, an anesthetist, who quietly and patiently supported him throughout good times and bad. She and their two children are now without their beloved Vlado. So are we all. As stated at the beginning of this tribute, the world has lost a wonderful man, a true and much loved friend and a gifted radiologist. Such a man is a rarity to be treasured like the wonderful wines of his beloved Slovenia. We toast your memory, Vlado. Na zdravje!