From Teacher to Hospital Director: The Inspiring Story of Jitka Bureš Samáková

The WIN project (Women in Innovation) is dedicated to empowering women in peripheral industrial regions by sharing their stories, fostering opportunities, and supporting their professional growth. Through podcasts, events, and training, WIN highlights inspiring career paths that demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and leadership. One such story was shared in the latest episode of the INION talk podcast, created in collaboration with WIN, where we spoke with Ing. Jitka Bureš Samáková, director of Sokolov Hospital. Her journey shows that successful careers often take unexpected turns, from her original dream of a legal profession, she became a respected healthcare manager.

From Shy Teacher to Confident Manager

Jitka's journey began with teaching at a secondary school. "I simply had to start speaking. I was trembling, but I discovered that the children accepted me, respected me, listened to me." School taught her to overcome shyness and find her gift for communication, which later proved very valuable.

For financial reasons, she moved to work as a social worker at the municipal office while simultaneously completing her university education by distance learning. "It was demanding - child, family, work, and studies on top of that. But the ambition to achieve something was stronger." Her approach even inspired her daughter: "When you completed university while working, I have to complete university normally."

Political "Detour" and Lessons Learned

An interesting chapter was her period in municipal politics. "The city council was all men. In the city assembly, there were perhaps only two women." The experience showed her the specifics of a male environment: "I felt that the men somewhat overlooked my opinion."

Eventually, she left politics: "I'm someone who wants to do something, to move forward somewhere, and politics isn't always about this."

Healthcare as a Life Challenge

The turning point came with a position as an economist in a hospital. "Understanding the healthcare system was the most difficult. How it's paid for, how it's reported, who pays for it." But persistence won: "I mastered it within a year - I was driven by the motivation: if you want to stay here, you have to learn it."

When she got her first opportunity to lead a hospital, she hit her own limits. "It became apparent that I couldn't delegate. It started to overwhelm me." With her typical honesty, she admitted: "I told the director that I couldn't handle it, that I didn't want to be a director."

Second Chance and Leadership Philosophy

Years later, she was asked to lead the Karlovy Vary Regional Hospital - this time better prepared. Four years including the COVID period taught her the power of teamwork: "I discovered that people came together much more. We could talk to each other, respect each other, help each other."

Today she leads Sokolov Hospital with a philosophy of active approach. She practices "gemba" - regularly working directly in operations. "I spent time peeling potatoes, was at the dishwasher, served lunches. One doctor said it was a provocation, but it's about understanding the real operation."

Women in Healthcare Leadership

Currently, there are many women in leadership positions within the Penta Hospitals group. "We're almost half and half among the hospitals." She believes women bring a different approach: "There's no ego and testosterone there. For me, it's important to respect everyone, because they're there to do their job the best they can."

Karlovy Vary Region Has Potential

Jitka believes in the region: "I don't think we're an ugly region. We have unique nature, young people can ski here, ride cycling paths." To attract young healthcare workers, she suggests: "We're considering camps for medical students - to show them they'll want to return to our region after school."

"We must stop saying we're the poorest, smallest. We need to refute this, because it's not true," she appeals for a change in regional perception.

Advice for the Young

For future generations, she has a clear message: "It's important to have patience, some humility, and persistence. Do what makes you feel needed and what you enjoy. It's not about university - there are professions that don't require it, but you must be good at what you do."

Conclusion

Her guidance highlights a universal lesson: success is built not only on formal education, but on dedication, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow through challenges. These values, which have guided Jitka throughout her career, serve as an inspiration for anyone navigating their own professional journey.

The story of Ing. Jitka Bureš Samáková shows that a successful career doesn't have to be planned from the beginning. Her journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance, humility, and openness to learning are essential on the path to leadership. By staying open to opportunities, not being afraid to admit one’s own limits, and learning from mistakes, anyone can navigate unexpected turns and achieve meaningful success.

In collaboration with which this podcast was created, the WIN project co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg Danube program, aims to improve the position of women in the labor market in peripheral industrial regions. By sharing stories like Jitka’s, WIN inspires women across the Danube region to embrace their potential and pursue fulfilling careers.

Stay tuned to the WIN platform for more stories, insights, and opportunities that support women in transforming challenges into strengths and building inclusive, innovative futures.