Henrik Kehlet, MD, PhD
Henrik Kehlet was Professor of Surgery at Copenhagen University and is now Professor of Perioperative Therapy at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Denmark. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, UK, the American College of Surgeons, the American Surgical Association, the German Surgical Society, the German Anaesthesiological Society and American Society of Anesthesiology.
Professor Kehlet’s research interests have focused on surgical pathophysiology, acute pain physiology and treatment, the transition from acute to chronic pain, postoperative fatigue and organ dysfunction. These efforts have condensed to form the concept of ‘fast-track surgery’ with the aim of achieving the ‘pain and risk-free operation’.
Professor Kehlet has published more than 1,250 scientific articles and has given more than 300 invited lectures at international scientific meetings, several honorary lectures including the ASA Excellence in Research Award 2014. He was the first recipient of the BJS Society Award 2023
Tina Tomić Mahečić, MD, PhD
Tina Tomić Mahečić, MD, PhD, Primarius, is the President of the Croatian Association for the Education and Promotion of Perioperative Bleeding Management and Coagulation Disorders, Cro PBM, and senior consultant in Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care Medicine, subspecialist in Intensive Care, working in UHC Zagreb, in Zagreb, Croatia.
Her current research areas include bleeding, coagulation, Patient Blood Management, and transplant medicine. She authorizes the national guidelines for massive and periportal bleeding protocols. She established the international symposium “Coagulation Days,” endorsed by NATA, ESAIC, and ISTH. She is an active member of these societies. She has also actively participated in global and national congresses and courses and published scientific and conference papers and book chapters.
Tina Tomić Mahečić lectures nationally and internationally on topics of anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, including coagulation, transplant surgery, Patient Blood Management, and transfusion in surgical and critically ill patients.
She is an associate in teaching in predoc and postdoc programs at the School of Medicine of the University of Zagreb.
Tihana Magdić Turković, MD, PhD
Tihana Magdić Turković is an anesthesiologist currently serving as the Head of the Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine at the Clinical Hospital for Traumatology, part of the Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center in Zagreb, Croatia. Her primary areas of interest include pain management and regional anesthesia. She is a member of the European Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy.
Since 2013, she has been actively working in the Outpatient Clinic and Day Hospital for the treatment of acute and chronic pain at the Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center. In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Magdić Turković is dedicated to medical education as an assistant professor at the Croatian Catholic University. She is the author of several scientific and professional works in the field of anesthesiology.
Prof. Alen Protić, PhD, MD
He graduated in 1998. and become Doctor of medicine at the School of Medicine at the University in Rijeka. From 2002. till 2007. he was resident of the anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive care medicine and from 2007 until today he has been specialist at the Department of the anesthesiology, intensive medicine and pain therapy in University hospital in Rijeka (Croatia).
From 2012. to 2015. he was head of the Deparment of the emergency medicine at the University hospital in Rijeka (Croatia).
From 2015. until today, he holds a position of Head of the Department of the anesthesiology, intensive medicine and pain therapy at the University hospital in Rijeka (Croatia).
So far, he has published 67 professional and scientific works, he is the author of a number of chapters in domestic and foreign books and textbooks. He was a mentor during the preparation of 20 graduate theses and 2 doctoral thesis. He is the winner of the MEDIS award and award of the University of Rijeka in 2009 for the innovation "Curved dilator for targeted thoracic drainage" and of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in 2012 for the innovation "Electronic device for determining and displaying the number of ultrasound B-lines".
He has been an active instructor of the courses in European Resuscitation Council (ERC) from 2002. and the initiator and leader of ultrasound courses with applications in anesthesiology, emergency and intensive care medicine in south-east European countries. He is the head of the Simulation Center – Skills lab at the School of Medicine in Rijeka. From 2020 until today, he holds the position of Vice-Dean for postgraduate studies and lifelong learning at the School of Medicine at the University in Rijeka.
Sonja Krofak
Sonja Krofak is a specialist in anesthesiology, resuscitation, and intensive care at the University Hospital Sveti Duh in Zagreb, currently pursuing a subspecialization in intensive care medicine. Her professional focus is on obstetric anesthesia, particularly the care of high-risk pregnant patients, while she also has a strong interest in Emergency Critical Care and perioperative medicine. She actively promotes the concept of Patient Blood Management and raises awareness about anemia as a critical factor in women's health and surgical patient care.
She contributes to the development of national and professional guidelines, including those for postpartum hemorrhage and trauma management. A regular speaker and active participant at national and international conferences, she focuses on topics such as hemostasis, thrombosis, and perioperative care optimization. She is a member of NATA, ESAIC, and the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association (OAA) and is actively involved in undergraduate medical education at the University of Zagreb and the University of Osijek
Dr. Jure Serdar
Dr. Jure Serdar, orthopedic surgeon, currently works at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb.
Dr. Serdar deals with operative and non-operative treatment of the hip and knee osteoarthritis. Non-operative treatment includes intra-articular application of preparations such as viscosupplementation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells. Surgical treatment includes hip and knee replacement.
In addition to degenerative knee diseases, Dr. Serdar also deals with the treatment of sports knee injuries, including cartilage injuries. In 2022, he was chosen as one of 3 scholarship holders for the FORTE Traveling Fellowship "Under the knee" in the Netherlands, where he was trained in the field of treatment of sports knee injuries. He was also selected as one of 3 scholars for the ICRS - Artrex Traveling Fellowship 2024.
Dr. Serdar's special area of interest is the treatment of ankle and foot diseases and injuries. He completed the basic and advanced course of the umbrella European organization for the treatment of foot and ankle diseases and injuries - EFAS (European Foot and Ankle Association). In 2024, he became the first orthopedic surgeon from Croatia selected for the EFAS Traveling Fellowship.
He is a member of several international professional organizations: the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) and the International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS).
Dr. Igor Filipovski
Dr. Igor Filipovski, specialist in anesthesiology and reanimatology, is currently the owner and medical director of the Copenhagen Cryo Center in Denmark, as well as the founder and president of the International Society for Ultrasound-Guided Cryoneurolysis.
Dr. Filipovski completed his medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine, “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, Macedonia, where he also specialized in anesthesiology and reanimatology. Throughout his career, he has developed a particular expertise in the treatment of chronic pain and spasticity using ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis of peripheral nerves.
He is actively involved in education and training, having delivered numerous masterclasses and workshops worldwide. His teaching experience includes institutions and events across Europe and Asia, such as:
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University Hospitals in Sofia, Tartu, Kaunas, Vilnius, Zagreb, Valencia, and Lisbon
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Hanoi University Hospital in Vietnam
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Stadtspital Triemli, Zurich – preoperative cryoablation for mini-thoracotomies
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University Hospital Poitiers, France – cryo treatment for spasticity
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Pain School International, Budapest (cadaver workshop)
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Joint & Spine Interventional Pain Management Workshop, Dubai
Dr. Filipovski is also the founder of the Copenhagen Cryo Center Academy, a training hub for ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis techniques.
His work has contributed significantly to clinical literature, with several co-authored case reports and reviews focused on ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), diabetic neuropathy, postmastectomy pain syndrome, slipping rib syndrome, and chronic pain management.
He remains dedicated to the advancement of interventional pain medicine, combining clinical practice, education, and research to improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
Ira Skok, M.D., Ph.D
Dr Ira Skok is an anestesiology, resuscitation and intensive care specialist. She was born and worked in Zagreb till 2018. She worked in the Specialty Hospital for Orthopaedics, Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation » St. Catherine« in Croatia, where was a Head of Departement of Anesthesia since 2014. She gained her knowledge and experience working in Clinical Hospital » Sveti duh« in Zagreb. Since 2018. she works in University Clinical Center Maribor, Slovenia. She has particular interest in Ultrasound-guided Regional anesthesia and she was well educated in that field since residency. Every year since 2008 she actively participates in teaching the graduate and postgraduate courses at the Medical School University of Zagreb and University of Osijek, since 2018. also in Maribor and Ljubljana, she is invited speaker for workshops and lessons in many Postgraduate studies. She teaches medical and dental students as an Assistant professor at Medical School University of Maribor. She is a board member of Slovenian Society of Regional Anesthesia where she actively participates and teaches regional anesthesia. She is the head of the pain department in the University Clinical center Maribor. In the field of regional anesthesia she is one of the few well trained colleagues in Slovenia
Krešimir Oremuš, M.D.
Krešimir Oremuš, M.D., EDRA, is the Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the Akromion Special Hospital for Orthopaedic Surgery. He also serves as Secretary of the European Board of Anaesthesiology within the Union of European Medical Specialists (EBA-UEMS) and is an active member of the Guidelines Committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC).
Dr. Oremuš has a professional focus on regional anaesthesia, pain management, and perioperative blood management, particularly in the context of orthopaedic surgery. He is dedicated to advancing anaesthesiology education and training across Europe. As a member of the EBA Standing Committee on Education and Professional Development, he contributed to the latest revision of the European Training Requirements for the specialty of Anaesthesiology. Notably, he led the working group responsible for introducing the Professional Development Module in Pain Medicine for Anaesthesiologists.
Prior to his current role, Dr. Oremuš worked at the University Hospital Center Zagreb, where he played a key role in adapting and implementing enhanced recovery protocols (ERAS) for patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Nikolina Schatzl, dr. med.
Nikolina Schatzl is an anesthesiologist currently working in Clinical Hospital „Sveti Duh“, in Zagreb, Croatia. She has attended the Postgraduate specialist study of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine and acquired the academic title of University Master of Anaesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine.
Her primary area of interest include clinical nutrition and she is enrolled in Postgraduate University Doctoral Study in the field of Nutrition at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb. She has published several scientific and professional papers as well as book chapters. She is an associate in teaching at the School of Medicine of the University of Zagreb and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek.
Doc. prim. dr. sc. Sanda Stojanović Stipić, dr. med.
Associate professor of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Split, Croatia. Throughout her wide-ranging clinical practice, she has had contact with almost every field within anaesthesia and intensive care. She is the author or co-author of numerous publications, as well as several book chapters. She is a member of several professional societies. Her scientific interest focuses on neurocognitive research, a field in which she completed her doctoral thesis. Her clinical interest is in sepsis and continuous renal replacement therapy. On a personal level, she is passionately dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity and dignity in the field of anesthesiology.
Assist. prof. Slaven Babić, MD, PHD
Assist. Prof. Slaven Babić, MD, PhD is a 50 years old orthopedic and trauma surgeon, Head of general trauma and pelvic surgery division of Department for Trauma surgery (Trauma, Draškovićeva), Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center.
Since young surgical ages he is passionate and high volume hip surgeon, mostly dealing with complex hip and femur injuries and pathologies. He gained experience in major European orthopedic centers and learn his craft from the Greats Croatian general trauma and orthopedic surgeons from his hospital.
The past 5 years he adapt „Fast track“ principles to his hospital environment and, as a team leader, constantly is working and fighting to improve surgical outcome after major orthopedic and trauma sugeries. Most of his primary hip arthroplasties, also thanks to its dedicated medical team, today are day surgeries.
He is a member of relevant domestic and international orthopedic and trauma associations, leader of Orthogeriatric section of Croatian Trauma Society. And likes to teach students and share his knowledge to younger colleagues.
Daniel Pérez Prieto, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon, Specialist in Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Infections Dr. Daniel Pérez-Prieto was born in Valencia (1983) and currentlylives and works in Barcelona. He graduated in Physical Therapy (2004) and in Medicine and Surgery (2009) at the University of Valencia, and later completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at Parc de Salut Mar – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2015). In 2018, he defended his PhD thesis on infections after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, which was awarded Cum Laude with international and European distinction. He is currently an orthopedic surgeon at Parc de Salut Mar (since 2010) and at Dexeus, ICATME (IcatKnee) (since 2017), as well as an Associate Professor at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He is also involved in coordinating primary trauma care, safety anddrug committees, and the Osteomyelitis Center of Excellence at PsMar.Dr. Pérez-Prieto is the author of numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications in high-impact journals and a frequent invited speaker at international congresses and workshops. His main research and clinical interests include: orthopedic and prosthetic joint infections, prevention and treatment of infections following ACL reconstruction, knee and foot surgery. He is an active member of leading scientific societies such as ESSKA, EBJIS, EKA and SECOT, and serves in leadership roles within international research and education working groups. He has received over ten awards for best research and publications in Spain and across Europe, and has participated in several international multicenter clinical trials and research programs. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, English, and French, with additional knowledge of Dutch.
dr. Marina Banović
Marina Banović is a specialist in Anesthesiology with international education and a particular focus on regional anesthesia and pain management. She primarily practices orthopedic anesthesia and performs minimally invasive interventional procedures in pain management. Based at Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh in Zagreb, Dr. Banović is committed to providing advanced and patient-centered care.
dr.sc. Tomislav Mađarević
Tomislav Mađarević is an orthopaedic surgeon with extensive domestic and international experience in clinical orthopedics. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rijeka in 2002. He completed his residency in orthopaedics at the University Hospital for Orthopaedic Surgery Lovran in 2012, where he worked until the end of 2024. For many years, he was the Head of the Department for Bone and Joint Infections. In 2014, he earned a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rijeka with the dissertation titled “Ultrasound-Guided Surgical Technique for the Treatment of Haglund's Disease.” In 2018, he founded, and has since been leading, a private clinic for orthopaedics and physical therapy, where he continues to work. Since 2019, he has also been collaborating with the Special Hospital Dr. Nemec, where he remains active to this day. His main areas of interest include hip and knee joint replacement surgeries, revision hip and knee surgeries, as well as orthopaedic treatment of sports injuries. He is the author of dozens of scientific and professional articles published in respected international and domestic journals. He is a member of numerous national and international professional associations and serves as the Croatian representative in EBJIS (European Bone and Joint Infection Society). He is a frequent lecturer at various national and international congresses, having delivered several invited talks. In 2022 and 2023, he participated in European recommendations (EBJIS and ESSKA) for the treatment of septic arthritis of the knee and infections following ACL reconstruction. He continuously pursues professional development at leading European orthopaedic centres, including ENDO-Klinik Hamburg, Oxford University Hospital, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Stanmore (London), Weill Cornell Medical College, among many others. He was the first in Croatia to introduce new protocols for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections, fracture related infections and septic arthritis. Through continuous education, dedicated work, and a personalized approach, his goal is to advance patient care and satisfaction by
dr. Ana Lamza
Dr. Ana Lamza graduated from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine in 2004, after which she completed a residency in general surgery, followed by a subspecialization in vascular surgery. During her clinical work, she developed a particular interest in the field of chronic wound management and became the first person in Croatia to successfully complete the European specialization in chronic wounds. Dr. Lamza is an internationally recognized expert and an active board member of the European Wound Management Association. Her main area of interest is the development and application of new regenerative technologies for the treatment of chronic wounds. In addition to wound management, Dr. Lamza primarily focuses on vascular pathology (both arterial and venous), encompassing diagnostics and various treatment modalities. In her daily surgical practice, she performs complex reconstructive procedures on veins and arteries.
