EDUCATION

Primary school:
1972-1974 Maribor, Slovenia
1974-1977 American Oil Company School, Tripoli, Libya
1977-1980 Maribor, Slovenia
High school:
1980-1983 Maribor, Slovenia
1983-1984 San Dieguito High School, San Diego, California, USA (Graduated with honors)
Medical School:
1984-1989 School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
1989 Graduated from School of Medicine, University of Zagreb with honors
Internship:
1989-1990 University hospital "Rebro" Zagreb, Croatia

General Surgery Training:
1992-1996 Department of Surgery, University Hospital

"Rebro" Zagreb, Croatia Rotation through all the departments (Abdominal Surgery
Orthopedics and Trauma, Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery,
Pediatric Surgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care)

Plastic Surgery Training:
11/1996 – 10/1998 Plastic and Reconstructive surgery unit, Department of Surgery,
University Hospital "Rebro" Zagreb, Croatia
11/1998 – 10/1999 Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Department of Surgery, University
Hospital "Dubrava" Zagreb, Croatia
11/1999 – 10/2000 Plastic Surgery Unit , Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, England
11/2000 – 05/2003 Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Department of Surgery, University
Hospital "Dubrava" Zagreb, Croatia
CERTIFICATES

1989 Medical Doctor Diploma (MD)
1990 Croatian Medical License
1993 Diving Physician License
1996 Certification in General Surgery
1999 IELTS 8.5 (8,9,8,9)
2003 Certificate in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Title: Specialist of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
2003 EBOPRAS (European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Certification) -Title Fellow of EBOPRAS
CAREER HISTORY

2020-present Chief of Department for translation medicine and science, University
Hospital Dubrava Zagreb, Croatia
2011- present Chief of Unit for Hand and Reconstructive surgery, Department of
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital
"Dubrava" Zagreb, Croatia
2007- 2011 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
University Hospital " Dubrava" Zagreb, Croatia
11/2000 – 2007 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery,
University Hospital " Dubrava" Zagreb, Croatia
1999 – present consultant Plastic Surgeon for “Magdalena” Special Hospital for
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Krapinske toplice, Croatia
11/1999 – 10/2000 Plastic Surgery Unit , Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Great

Britain

10/1998 – 10/1999 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery,
University Hospital " Dubrava" Zagreb, Croatia
11/1996 -10/1998 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery,
University Hospital "Rebro" Zagreb, Croatia
6/1992 – 11/1996 Department of Surgery,University Hospital "Rebro" Zagreb, Croatia
9/1989 – 6/1992 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb

9/1989 – 10/1990 Internship University Hospital "Rebro" Zagreb, Croatia
1991 – 1995 Six months experience in war surgery in War Hospitals in Croatia and
Bosnia and Herzegovina

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AND DEGREES:
1989-1992 Biomedicine, School of medicine, University of Zagreb
1995 Ph.D. in medical sciences
2002 Scientific title: Science fellow
2005 Scientific title: Science advisor (highest possible scientific title in Croatia)
2001 Academic title: Senior assistant School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2005 Academic title: Associate Professor School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2012 Academic title Professor School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2019 Regular Ass. Prof. School of Medicine University of Zagreb

RESEARCH:

1985-present Laboratory for Calcified Tissue Research under the mentorship of
Prof. dr. S. Vukičević
1989-1998 research fellow in the scientific project on BMP-s chaired by
Prof. S. Vukicevic MD PhD and funded by the Ministry of Science, of Republic
of Croatia
2000- 2008 research fellow on the scientific project: surgery of peripheral nerves chaired by
Prof. Z. Stanec MD PhD and funded by the Ministry of Science, of Republic
of Croatia
2002- 2008 Chairman of Scientific project: Prefabrication of tissues in Plastic Surgery
funded by the Ministry of Science, of Republic of Croatia
1996-present Clinical research in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

EXTERNSHIPS:

1986 (2/12) Department of ENT and Maxillo-Facial surgery, Teaching Hospital Maribor,
Slovenia
1988 (2/12) Department of Surgery and Department of E&A, Sheffield. UK
1989 (2/12) Department of ENT and Maxillo Facial surgery, Teaching Hospital
Maribor, Slovenia
1997 (2/12) Plastic Surgery Wesseling, Koln, Germany- Prof. Neven Olivari
1998 (2/12) Plastic Surgery, ENT and Maxillo-Facial Clinics, Luzern, Switzerland
2001 (1/12) University Clinic Innsbruck, Department of Plastic Surgery – Prof. M. Ninkovic

TEACHING EXPERIENCES:

I enjoy teaching and have regularly given lectures and conducted bedside teaching for trainee
doctors, medical students and nurses.
1985-1989 Student assistant Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of
Zagreb

1986-1989 Student assistant Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of
Zagreb
1989-1992 Assistant Department of Anatomy School of Medicine, University of
Zagreb
1994-2002 Lecturer in Clinical Anatomy School of Medicine, University of
Zagreb
1996-present formal and informal lectures in General Surgery and Plastic, Reconstructive
and Aesthetic Surgery for medical students and staff.
2001- present Co-chairman of elective subjects Aesthetic Surgey (30 hours/year), Hand
Surgery (30 hours/year), Reconstructive surgery (30 hours/year).
2005-present Charman of Hand Surgery elective 30hours/year
Lecturer in elective subject Regional anesthesia (4 hours).
2001- present Lecturer in the Scientific Postgraduate Doctoral Studies of School of Medicine
University of Zagreb for the following collegiums:

1) Microsurgical transfer of tissues 30 hours/year
2) Grafts and flaps 30 hours/year
3) Breast Surgery 30 hours/year
4) Chairman of Hand Surgery Collegium 30 hours/year
2007-present 5) Dermatology 2 hours/year
2001 – present Organizer of Microsurgery Course 37 hours
2009-present Lecturer in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in English for the
International studies School of Medicine University of Zagreb 4 hours a year
2008-2020 Lecturer in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery School of Medicine University of Mostar,
Bosnia and Hezegovina 10 hours/year
Mentor of 4 PHD thesis
Member of the evaluation committee for 16 PhD thesis
President of the evaluation committee for 9 PHD thesis
LANGUAGES:
English fluent, written and spoken
Croatian fluent written and spoken
Slovenian fluent, written and spoken
German basic
PRIZES AND AWARDS:
1988 Deans award for the best student scientific paper for the school year 1987/88
1989 Deans award for the best student scientific paper for the school year 1988/89
1989 Award of the Foundation for the best student scientific paper in basic sciences
1989 Medical School Deans award for academic achievements and extracurricular activities
1989University of Zagreb award for the best medical student in the school year 1988/89
2003 Annual award of University Hospital “Dubrava” for outstanding professional results
ORGANISATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

1984 California Scholarship Federation
1986 Vice-president of the Student organization, School of Medicine University of Zagreb
1987, 1988 President of the Student organization, School of Medicine University of Zagreb
1989 Member of the School of Medicine University of Zagreb Board of Education
1989 –present Member of the Croatian Medical Association
1989-present Member of the Croatian Diving Federation
1995- present Member of the Croatian Surgical Society
1995- present Member of the Croatian Society for Calcified Tissues
1996- present Member of the Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery
2000-present Member of the Croatian Senologic Society
2001- present Delegate of the Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery to the EBOPRAS and UMSE section of Plastic, Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgery.
2002 Vice-president of Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
2004 Re elected Vice-president of Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery
2006- present Member of the Pyrenean Club of Plastic Surgery
2007-present Member Rotary Club Zagreb Center
2008- present Member of ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
2008- present Corresponding member of ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery)
2008 Re elected Vice-president of Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery until 2012
2009 Secretary General of ESPRAS (European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgery) until 2014
2010 Chairmen of Accreditation committee of EBOPRAS (European Board of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery)
2011/12 Vice president Rotary Club Zagreb Center
2011 National coordinator for ICC Rotary District 1913 with District 1912
2012 President of Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery
2014 Secretary General of ESPRAS (European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgery) until 2018
2014 Reelected Chairmen of Accreditation committee of EBOPRAS (European Board of
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery)
2017 Reelected President of Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery
2018 Member of the EBOPRAS Ex-Co (European Board of
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery)
2019 President of ESPRAS (European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgery) until 2023

MENAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

1986 Vice-president of the Student organization, School of Medicine University of Zagreb
1987 President of the Student organization, School of Medicine University of Zagreb
1986-1989 member of editorial board of “ Medicinar” Scientific Student Journal of the

School of Medicine University of Zagreb (edited and published by the medical
students)

1989-1991 Member of the Educational Board of School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2001-present Member of the Committee for Evaluation of graduated medical doctors for
Internship in the University Hospital “Dubrava”
1998 Member of the organizing committee of the 1 st Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Dubrovnik, September 19-23, 1998.
1999 Member of the organizing committee of the 2 nd Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Opatija, September 22-26, 1999.
2001 – present Organizer of the Microsurgery Course organized as a first category course of
the School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2003 Member of the organizing committee of the 2 nd Congress of Croatian Senologic
Society
2004 Organizer of the Hand Surgery Course organised as a first category course of the
School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2004 General Secretary of the 5 th Croatian Congress of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery and ESPRAS Appointed Congress for 2004 Dubrovnik, October 15-20, 2004.
2006 Member of the organizing committee of the 6 th Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Opatija, September 27- October 1, 2006.
2008 Vice president of the organizing committee of the 7 th Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Split, October 01-05, 2008
2008 Co organizer of the 17 th European Course in Plastic Surgery held in Zagreb, Croatia
04 th -06 th November 2008
2010 Vice president of the organizing committee of the 8 th Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Dubrovnik, October 06-10, 2010
2010 Member of the editorial board of “Medicina ljepote” journal for popularizing Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery published by Croatian Society of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
2011 Organizer first category course of the School of Medicine University of Zagreb on
Hand Surgery Zagreb, Croatia 20 – 21 May 2011
2011 Co-organizer Hand Surgery Course, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 25-26. November 2012
2013 Co-organiser Fellows in Science congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia September 18 – 21,
2015 President of 10th Croatian Congress of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
and ESPRAS appointed congress for 2015 Dubrovnik, Croatia, October 1-4, 2015
2015 Member of the editorial board of European Journal of Plastic Surgery EJPS
2018 President of the organising of the 11 th Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Zadar 8-10 November 2018
2018 Member of the editorial board of Turkish Journal of Plastic Surgery TJPS
2020 Co-organiser of EASAPS/ESPRAS webinar Considerations in getting back to work in
Plastic Surgery with the COVID-19 Pandemic
2020 President of the profesional Council of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb
2020 Member of the Menagement Council of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb
2022 Co- president of the organising of the 12 th Croatian Congress of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Dubrovnik 04-07. May, 2022

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
1) Introduction, implementation and development of perforator flap use in reconstructive
surgery in Croatia since 1998

2) Development of a Breast surgery team in The University Hospital “Dubrava”
composed of Plastic Surgeons, Radiologists, Cytologists, Patologists and Oncologists
where patients with breast problems are discussed, best diagnostic and therapeutic
options are suggested and the results are audited.
3) Development of the new training program for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic
Surgery for the Ministry of Health Republic of Croatia and EBOPRAS
PUBLICATIONS:
1) Papers in cited journals: 57
2) Textbooks or text in texbooks:10
3) Presentations in meetings and congresses :156 (32 as faculty or invited speaker)

OTHER INTERESTS
Guest reviewer for the
1) CMJ
2) Lancet
3) Lječnički vjesnik
4) Collegium Antropologicum
Examiner for EBOPRAS (European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery)
since 2005
SPORTS AND HOBBIES:
Archery (competitive 1980-1986)
Diving free and scuba
Photography (underwater, wildlife)