In memoriam: Professor Zoran Azinović: 1944 – 2008

Prof.dr.sc. Zoran Azinović, izvanredni profesor kolegija Endodoncije, restaurativne stomatologije i karijesologije, viši znanstveni savjetnik Stomatološkog fakulteta u Zagrebu, specijalist dentalne i oralne patologije s parodontologijom te primarius Stomatološke klinike KBC-a u Zagrebu, rođen je u Konjicu 25. kolovoza 1944. Dugačka rečenica, mnoštvo podataka, a možda je najvažniji taj da je tada počeo jedan život. Život koji je rastao, stasao, ostavio trag i na tom se putu ugasio kao što su se ugasili i svi prije, kao što će se ugasiti i svi poslije njega. Da, ugasio se prerano. Gospodin Zoran Azinović, osebujan čovjek, vedre naravi, uvijek spreman pomoći, učitelj i mentor mnogobrojnih studenata Stomatološkog fakulteta u Zagrebu. Nakon što je diplomirao godine 1968. na tom istom fakultetu, 1970. počeo je svoju nastavnu, stručnu i znanstvenu karijeru kao sveučilišni asistent na Zavodu za dentalnu patologiju. Specijalistički ispit obranio je 1977., a akademski stupanj magistra medicinskih znanosti iz područja stomatologije stekao je 1981. Bavio se istraživanjem učinkovitosti jetkanja cakline i jedan je od pionira na tom području u našoj zemlji. I mnoge je studente zainteresirao i usmjerio u istraživanja tog područja, a među prvima je kod nas radio i SEM istraživanja promjena na tvrdim zubnim tkivima. U to doba trebalo je uložiti veliki trud i znanje u takvu vrstu rada. Uz znanstveni i nastavni rad, prof. dr.sc. Zoran Azinović unaprijedio je struku. Primarius je postao deset godina nakon obranjenog specijalističkog ispita 1977. i svoje je najbolje godine dao pacijentima KBC-a koji su to znali cijeniti. Njegovi su ga pacijenti voljeli i cijenili i uvijek su tražili samo njega. Na vratima bi sestri tiho rekli: „Ja sam od prof. Azinovića, recite mu da sam tu“. Nastavljajući znanstveni rad, doktorat iz istog područja, ali ovaj put o utjecaju fluorida na caklinu, obranio je 1989., a sljedeće je godine stekao zvanje docenta. Izvanredni profesor postao je 1999. i na toj dužnosti bio je do prerane smrti godine 2008.Professor Zoran Azinović, DMD, PhD, Associate Professor of Endodontics, restorative dentistry and cariesology, Senior scientific consultant at the University of Zagreb School of Dental medicine, specialist in dental and oral pathology and periodontology, dentist-in-Chief at the Zagreb Clinical hospital center Dental clinic was born in Konjic in Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 25th, 1944. That was a long sentence, containing a lot of information – the most important of which might be the beginning of a life. A life that matured and left a mark. Then its light extinguished, like all the others before it, and all those that shall follow. Yes, he left us too soon. Mr. Zoran Azinović was a special man, always willing to help, teacher and mentor to many students at the University Dental School here in Zagreb. After graduating in 1968 he began his academic, scientific and teaching career at the same instution in 1970, at the Dental pathology department. He qualified as a specialist in 1977, and defended his Master’s degree thesis in Dental sciences in 1981. His researched was focused on the efficacity of enamel etching and was one of the pioneers of this technique in this country. He also encouraged many students to concentrate on that area in their work, and was one of the first in the country to conduct SEM research on changes in the hard tissue of the tooth. At the time, it was necessary to invest great effort and knowledge into such work. Professor Zoran Azinović, DMD, PhD improved our profession. He was named doctor-in-Chief at the CHC Dental clinic ten years after qualifying as a specialist in 1977, and gave his best years to his patients there, and they valued his time. His patients loved him and appreciated him, and always requested him, personally. They would quietly knock at the door and tell the nurse: “I’m with Professor Azinović. Please tell him I’m here”. Furthering his scientific work, he earned a PhD in the same area in 1989, this time studying the effect of Fluoride on enamel. The following year he became Adjunct Professor. He became an Associate professor in 1999, and maintained that position until his untimely death in 2008