Věra Terzijská runs a business with her son and daughter-in-law and recently opened the Veramedica Clinic in Prague’s Slovanský dům, specializing in aesthetic dermatology, cosmetology, dermatologic surgery, and laser treatments. The path to the clinic was both a challenge and a fulfilled dream for the dermatologist.
Becoming a doctor was your dream as well?
Yes, it was my dream. “I want to be a doctor and treat people,” I declared at the age of six, and that feeling never left me. But I had a strong reason for it. My mother was seriously ill, my father and I often visited her in the hospital, and I always admired how the staff cared for the patients. I wanted to be like them when I grew up and to help people.
And you achieved that by studying at the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Prague. Why did you choose dermatology?
I studied general medicine, and after graduation I thought I would like to devote myself to a smaller, more specific field – something I could actually see and work with directly. At that time, I decided on dermatology.
You began your practice at the Na Bulovce Hospital Dermatology Clinic, which was at a very high level then. How do you remember those beginnings?
Very fondly. At the clinic I gained my first important professional experience in dermatosurgery and completed my certification. When 1989 came and with it the political change, I decided to go into private practice, which I had dreamed of. On the outskirts of Prague I opened my first office, where I also started performing aesthetic procedures. I was one of the first to apply botulinum toxin. I remember that TV Nova came to my office, filmed a report, and it was broadcast in the evening news. That’s not me boasting, it’s simply a fact. I was also one of the first to start using hyaluronic acid for wrinkle fillers and facial corrections.
You even started teaching other doctors the correct application of botulinum toxin, right?
Yes, and I still train them today. Since 2024 I have also been a co-founder of the educational project for doctors, BCA Beauty Academy, which I run together with two colleagues. We focus on teaching doctors in aesthetic medicine. The Academy is connected with art and charity, and part of the proceeds go to charitable purposes. We always invite an artist, singer, or painter and thus connect beauty with art. In addition, I lecture on issues and complications in aesthetic medicine at congresses worldwide (IMCAS, EADW, WDC). I am also a member of the Czech Dermatovenerology Society, the Society of Corrective and Aesthetic Dermatology of the Czech Medical Association of J. E. Purkyně, and the Society of Aesthetic and Laser Medicine (SELM).
How demanding was it to establish your family clinic Veramedica?
Extremely. The clinic has to meet strict hygiene and healthcare standards, and we had to comply with a large number of regulations. Fortunately, my son helped me with all of this – he was in charge of the process, and I kept all the completed paperwork and consulted with architects about how the clinic should look in terms of design. I worked with the well-known designer Kateřina Šindelářová, who created a tailor-made design for our clinic. But I must not forget about finances, they are the foundation of everything! Not only the rent and the furnishing of the clinic, but also the instruments and lasers cost enormous sums. Last but not least, a top-level clinic that clients will want to return to must have highly qualified and professional staff who know how to deal with them appropriately.
How did you manage the finances?
I took out a bank loan and sold my apartment. A standard procedure when you need a large investment. I finance equipment not only through banks but also through leasing. A proper quality machine costs one to three million. Business always carries some risk, and I am aware of that. I know I have to repay my debts honestly and on time, so it is essential that the clinic functions well – then everything can be managed. Our clinic ranks among leading medical facilities, and I do everything to make sure it remains so.
It must be difficult to be the boss, balancing strictness with friendliness, being able to understand and praise but also uphold your standards?
Exactly. As their boss, colleagues should respect me and recognize my authority, but also like me as a person. And I feel the same toward them. I respect all my employees, whether they are nurses or receptionists. Of course I know how to praise people, understand their mood, and be accommodating, but everything has its limits. I can be tough as well, and if someone refuses to change their approach, then there is no choice but to part ways. After forty years in healthcare I am also a bit of a psychologist, and I can tell as early as the first interview whether the person in front of me will be a good fit. Choosing quality staff is the hardest part. At my clinic, we have succeeded – we have a great team.
Does the old saying “mother is always right” apply in business cooperation as well? I mean your work with your son…
I cannot help but laugh – of course it’s not that simple. Marek has often told me, “Mom, you shouldn’t interfere in technical and organizational matters, and I won’t interfere in aesthetic medicine.” Naturally, I tended to advise him about things he knows far better than I do, but then I realized it made no sense. Marek is really capable and I trust him completely. For example, I decide what the procedures will cost, and he takes care of technical issues and oversees the clinic.
And how do you get along in business with his wife?
Michaela and I get along swimmingly! She is a doctor, extremely skilled and ambitious. She travels all over the world and learns the latest innovations in our field. I think that one day she will be the one to lead my clinic.
How do you hold up against the competition of other, similarly focused clinics?
Only by performing top-level procedures with state-of-the-art technology. As a member of SELM (Society of Aesthetic and Laser Medicine), I often encounter the problem that aesthetic procedures are often carried out not only by unqualified doctors – which is wrong – but also by beauticians somewhere in a hair salon, who have no medical training at all. They sometimes inject fillers or botulinum toxin, and without the necessary anatomical knowledge they cause complications. For example, a blood vessel in the face may become blocked, which can end up causing a scar. In some cases it can even lead to blindness. Some clients choose procedures based only on price, but then they cannot be surprised if they end up with a scarred lip after an injection. We charge different prices, but in return we offer professional and safe procedures. In this respect there should be some legislative regulation so that people’s health is not put at risk. In addition, such dubious clinics or beauty salons damage the reputation of professionals.
Perspective
Similar to other areas, trends in aesthetic dermatology are shifting and the entire field is constantly moving forward. “Lately I’ve noticed a shift back toward a more natural look,” says Věra Terzijská. “On the other hand, middle age has shifted completely. In the past, a 55-year-old woman was considered an old grandmother in a headscarf and a high-necked dress. Today, even women over sixty are stylish and take care of themselves. With tastefully done treatments, such a woman can look ten to fifteen years younger. The desire to remain beautiful and youthful for as long as possible is greater and greater, and it’s also driven by social media. The perspective keeps moving forward – we not only have botulinum fillers but also new regenerative techniques and biostimulatory products to stimulate the skin. The world is moving ahead and my field is moving with it.”
CV BOX
Věra Terzijská, MD, is the owner of the Veramedica Clinic, located in Prague’s Slovanský dům.
She graduated from the Faculty of General Medicine at Charles University and holds board certifications in dermatovenerology and corrective dermatology. She worked at the Dermatovenerology Clinic of Bulovka University Hospital and opened her first private practice in 1994.
In addition to working with clients, she has long been active in professional publishing and training doctors in her field. She is a certified trainer for fillers, botulinum toxin, and biostimulators.
She is the co-founder of BCA Beauty Academy, an educational project for doctors. She has completed numerous internships and regularly attends international congresses (IMCAS, EADW, WDC).
She is a member of the Czech Dermatovenerology Society, the Society of Corrective and Aesthetic Dermatology of the Czech Medical Association JEP, and the Society of Aesthetic and Laser Medicine (SELM).
She collaborates with the Beauty of Help Foundation, founded by Taťána Kuchařová. In corrective dermatology, she has ranked among the fifty best doctors in Forbes magazine.
She lives in Prague.
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