Management

Acting Director
mag. Alenka SIMONIČ, M.D., Specialist in General Medicine

At the Health Center Novo mesto (hereinafter: HC NM), we have successfully concluded the business year 2024. Throughout this period, we unwaveringly maintained our focus on delivering high-quality primary health care programs, which constitute the cornerstone of our operations. Through perseverance, adaptability, and close collaboration with all key stakeholders involved in co-creating our services, we have successfully accomplished the majority of our objectives. 

Once again in 2024, we proudly hosted the COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccination center, reaching out to serve the entire region. As part of our Health Education Center program, we enjoyed sharing a variety of preventive activities aimed at promoting good health. These included the municipal walking test, the inspiring “Together for Health” event during European Mobility Week, “Health Day,” and many other engaging initiatives. We're happy to share that most of our planned investments, maintenance projects, and equipment upgrades for 2024 went smoothly. We gave new life to the X-ray department, refreshed the outpatient clinic at the Retirement Home, and transformed the endodontic clinic into a cheerful pedodontic clinic. We also prepared project plans for upgrading the water supply system within electrical engineering and issued a tender for cleaning façades, blinds, and glass surfaces. On the equipment front, we added 20 air conditioning units, 50 computers, and other valuable IT tools to enhance our services.

We’ve upgraded the dental clinic in Straža with a new dental unit and an Endopilot Ultra on a trolley. The pedodontic clinic now has a Sonicflex Quiex. To help streamline our work, we’ve added a steam cleaner, a digital microscope Easy View, and a sandblaster for the dental laboratory. We’ve also enhanced our equipment with three Holter ECGs, two Holter RR devices, two spirometers, three ankle-brachial index measurement devices, an Optovist with perimetry for occupational medicine, an ultrasound device for the gynecology department with endovaginal and abdominal probes, and a thermal printer. For emergency medical assistance, we acquired a LIFEPAK 15 defibrillator and an aspirator. In physiotherapy, we’ve added two massage tables to improve comfort. Our ophthalmology department now has an ophthalmoscope, a CoaguChek device, and a vaccine refrigerator. We also purchased a type A ambulance and three service vehicles for our community nursing service, along with a vehicle for the emergency physician (VUZ), which will have its medical equipment installed in 2025. Additionally, we invested in building an electric vehicle charging station, bought our first electric car, replaced fire barriers at all locations for better safety, and updated our painting and lighting throughout needed.

One of the most significant events of the past year was the inauguration of the exhibition for the architectural competition aimed at expanding HC NM and developing new Mental Health Centers (CDZO and CDZOM). This constitutes a substantial advancement in enhancing healthcare and fortifying mental health services throughout the region. As a prominent regional healthcare provider, HC NM has demonstrated its quality over the years by offering a broad spectrum of healthcare services tailored to patient needs. Through facility expansions and the establishment of new Mental Health Centers, it continues to lead in innovative healthcare approaches and remains the primary provider of outpatient health services in the area. The opening of the exhibition and the new centers represent a milestone in HC NM’s mission to deliver comprehensive, high-quality healthcare for all generations. In 2025, our primary focus will remain on preserving, strengthening, and expanding primary healthcare. Despite staff shortages across all sectors—including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals—we will persist in delivering quality patient care. We actively pursue new solutions to ensure uninterrupted service amid daily challenges. Additionally, we will continue investing in ongoing education and training for our teams to uphold the highest standards of patient care. In 2024, we successfully renewed the ISO 9001 quality certification, maintained the “Family-Friendly Company” certificate, and obtained the “Baby-Friendly Institution” certification.

In 2025, we will maintain active involvement in various working groups, projects, and collaborations with all stakeholders responsible for delivering accessible, efficient, safe, and high-quality primary health care. Our achievements are made possible by our exceptional teams and all dedicated colleagues at HC NM. I sincerely thank every employee who contributes daily to delivering professional, expert patient care with empathy and enthusiasm. With confidence in our collective efforts, I believe we will continue to succeed in the future future.

With respect,
Acting Director,
mag. Alenka Simonič, M.D., Specialist in General Medicine

Acting Assistant Director for Health Care Darja BRUDAR, M.Sc. in Education and Management in Health Care

Acting Assistant Director for Economic and Legal Affairs Lilijana LUKŠIČ MEDVED, University Graduate in Economics