Smilja Kostić-Joksić

Dr. Smilja Kostić-Joksić was a pioneering Serbian physician known for her groundbreaking work in immunization and her significant role in eradicating tuberculosis in the former Yugoslavia through the introduction of the BSŽ vaccine. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Legion of Honor by the President of France in 1952. Despite her accomplishments, she faced considerable challenges, including being expelled from the Medical Faculty in 1954, and was only posthumously recognized for her achievements in 2001. She was the first female docent at the Medical Faculty and became a symbol of women's contributions to science and medicine, highlighting the often-overlooked role of women in history.