Dr Antonija Poplas Susič, a doctor, a specialised general practitioner, and the medical director of the Ljubljana Health Centre, has received the flattering title of the "Five Star Doctor 2014" awarded by Wonca Europe, the World Organization of Family Doctors in Europe.

Wonca Europe awards the title of the European Doctor of the Year (Five Star Doctor 2014) to physicians with great influence on the health of an individual and community by personal contribution to healthcare and the profession, as viewed by the international committee. The award promotes global development in general practice, connecting and encouraging partnerships.This year's award was given to the right person, Dr Antonija Poplas Susič, the general practitioner, and her influence to politics. During her counselling position at Ministry of Health in 2011 she introduced a pilot project of referential general practitioners' clinics, which presented a new approach to patient treatment at the primary level of healthcare. Antonija Poplas Susič was a founding member and the mastermind behind the project which involved close collaboration with a group of experts form academic, economic and political field. With the help of the group she managed to create a suitable environment for the project's successful implementation into practice.

Antonija Poplas Susič has been a general practitioner with 25 years of experience in family medicine (Ljubljana Health Centre) and 15 years of experience as a teacher of general practice. She is currently the medical director of the Ljubljana Health Centre. Dr Susič has published several original scientific articles, participated in several international research projects from the field of alcohol risks and acclaimed international researcher of general practice/family medicine. Her academic title of assistant professor of family medicine enables her active participation in educating students, specialist registrars and general practitioners. She was part of the World Bank project of specialisation of family medicine in Montenegro as a counsellor.

The official award ceremony "Five Star Doctor 2014" will take place during the WONCA Europe conference from 2 to 5 July 2014 in Lisbon. Dr Poplas Susič is running for World Doctor of the Year by receiving the European Doctor of the Year title. The World Doctor of the Year will be announced in 2016 at the World Organization of Family Doctors conference in Rio de Janeiro.