Prominent Zadar Urologist Found Dead in Sea Near Iž

A prominent Zadar urologist, Tomislav Sorić, 56, was found dead in the sea near the island of Iž on Monday afternoon. Police received a report at 4:10 PM that a man had jumped from a boat and not resurfaced. His body was discovered about five minutes later in the same bay.

Sorić, an associate professor and doctor of science, had served as the head of the Urology Department at Zadar General Hospital for over 12 years. He was a leading figure in the development of laparoscopic and other minimally invasive surgical methods in urology in Zadar. Under his leadership, the department performed Croatia's first laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in 2003 and became a center of excellence for urological laparoscopy, training doctors from across the country.

According to data Sorić shared in February, the Zadar Urology Department annually treated nearly 20,000 patients and performed around 1,000 surgeries. His ambition was to elevate the department to clinical status, further develop scientific research, and introduce robotic-assisted surgery in the future. In a recent interview with Zadarski list, Sorić emphasized that the medical profession was not just a job but a life calling that builds lasting relationships with patients.

The exact circumstances of the tragedy are still unknown and are subject to a police investigation.

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The medical profession is not just a job but a life calling that builds lasting relationships with patients.