"My father works at the Medical University of Graz and recommended a job in the microbiological laboratory to me. I liked working in the healthcare sector and that is still the case today," she says.

Milena completed her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Analysis at FH Joanneum Graz and works as a biomedical analyst at the Institute of Pathology at Graz II Hospital. She completed a Master's degree in Health Management and Integrated Care at the FH Burgenland.

She found the mix of students in Pinkafeld enriching. "I studied with people from very different professional groups. People who work directly with patients or from administration. That made the group discussions in particular very exciting."

In her Master's thesis, she focussed on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital staff. The results show that hospital staff worldwide are suffering greatly from the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. However, effective crisis management can support staff during this time and help to minimise these effects. In future, crisis management should provide hospital staff with more information and optimise communication, as well as offer low-threshold psychological support for the duration of the crisis, according to the graduate. She was honoured with the Health Research Award 2022 for her thesis.