Pozvani predavači / Invited Speakers

President of the European Pain Federation EFIC Executive Board 2017-2019 Director of the Leuven Centre for Algology & Pain Management at the University Hospitals of Leuven Deputy Editor of the European Journal of Pain Bart Morlion trained as an anesthesiologist, but for the past 20 years has worked full time in pain medicine. He is the director of the Leuven Centre for Algology & Pain Management at the University Hospitals of Leuven and Professor at the University of Leuven, where he teaches pain management and pharmacology at the medical school. He is a member of the European Pain Federation EFIC’s executive board and currently holds the position of President Elect, to take office in September 2017. From 2006 – 2012 he was President of the Belgian Pain Society (Belgian Chapter of the IASP), and represented Belgium as a counselor in the European Pain Federation EFIC (2006-2013). He is program director of the Belgian Interuniversity Postgraduate Studies in Algology and is an active member of several committees in international scientific societies (EFIC and IASP). Bart Morlion is currently deputy editor of the European Journal of Pain and author of numerous publications on the management of pain. His professional interests include all aspects of multimodal chronic pain management, cancer pain management, pharmacotherapy of pain, and quality management.

President-elect for the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) (2017); Director of Center for international Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark; Co-chair for the IASP Global Year against Joint Pain (2016); Editor-in-chief for IASP Press (2016-2020); Co-founder and chair of IASP’s Special Interest Group (SIG) on Musculoskeletal Pain Lars Arendt-Nielsen has been engaging in pain research, pain education, and pain policy for more than 30 years and worked at various institutions around the world. He is the founder and director of Center for international Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark, with 80+ researchers and Ph.D. students employed. He has been published more than 910 peer-reviewed papers on translational, experimental, and clinical pain research. His research is focused on development and application of human, quantitative, mechanistic pain biomarkers in human experimental pain studies, clinical pain studies (specifically musculoskeletal and visceral pain conditions) and in studies profiling pain management procedures and new drugs under development (phase Ib and IIa proof-of-concept studies). He has been working in England, Sweden and Japan. He has delivered more than 250 keynote lectures at international conferences and have collaborated with over 20 pain research centers and clinics around the world. A keen interest of his has been to support pain patient organizations in their efforts to help their members to be recognized by political and health care systems. In 2007, he was knighted by the Danish Queen, have received numerous prestigious awards for my contribution to science and innovation within the field and am the founder of the clinical trial center C4Pain. He co-authored four IASP books, heads IASP grant committee and he is member of numerous committees.

PI at Center of Psychiatry & Neurosciences, INSERM U.894, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris. Head of the team “Pain, stress & neuroinflammation”. Present French Councilor, the European Pain Federation (EFIC) Section Editor, European Journal of Pain; Chair, EFIC Committee on Scientific Research Luis Villanueva has over 35 years’ experience in research on preclinical, animal studies of central nervous system (CNS) networks that are involved in pain processing. Most of his work has been devoted to the elucidation the functional architecture of endogenous CNS mechanisms of pain modulation, by employing combined anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral in vivo approaches, with special emphasis on top-down, brainstem, hypothalamic and corticofugal controls. He has managed the work of many people in different laboratories in France, including several PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, master students and technicians. A number of his past projects have been funded by grants that brought together applicants from France and abroad, including Grants for collaborative projects with labs in the USA, Mexico and Chile. He has successfully driven research projects that have resulted in more than 80 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, 40 Book chapters and 100 abstracts. Supervisory Committees, current external examiner for PhD students in Europe and Canada. Study sections member and scientific expertise reports for National, European, Canadian and USA Grants. Ad-hoc referee for several Neuroscience Journals. In 1978, he won Outstanding Young Faculty Award, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago. In 1986, he won Award for best, summa cum laude in DSC thesis dissertation, University of Paris, France.

Adjunct Professor at Penn State University and University of New Haven Professor of pediatrics and forensic sciences at Split and Osijek University. Dr. Primorac is a pediatric medical doctor, forensic science expert, forensic expert witness, and former Minister of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2003-2009). He has received 20 domestic and international awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of New Haven Forensic Science Institute, New Haven, USA for contribution to the development of forensic sciences. He has published extensively in the fields of forensic science, molecular genetics, science and education, etc. He is the author of 150 scientific publications and scientific abstracts, of which more than 50 are cited in the Current Contents (CC) and Science Citation Index (SCI) databases. Until now, he has been cited more than 1400 times. As an invited speaker, he participated in more than 40 conferences all around the world. Prof. Primorac is one of the pioneers in DNA identification of human remains from mass graves. In addition, he is co-founder of International Society for Applied Biological (ISABS), a non-profit organization founded to promote, enhance and extend research, development and education. He is the President of Croatian-Israeli Business Club. Prof. Primorac has participated in numerous humanitarian activities all around the world and currently he is president of nonprofit Charitable Foundation “Cro Unum”.

Anesthesiologist in University Hospital Zagreb Rebro. Jana Kogler obtained her M.D. at Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb in 2000. She specialized anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine in 2006, and from then on until 2010, she worked at the Department for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital for Chest Diseases and thoracic surgery Jordanovac, Zagreb. From 2010 she is full-time working at the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Zagreb. In 2009, she finished M.S. with thesis: The evaluation of physiologic effects of magnesium sulphate in patients undergoing thoracotomy procedures. In 2016 she obtained PhD: Physiologic effects of epidural magnesium in perioperative treatment of thoracic surgery patients. She is a member of Croatian Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Treatment (HDAIL), Croatian pain management societies (HDLB), of the European Society for Anesthesiology (ESA. She has published three papers quoted in CC, six congressional summaries quoted in CC, ten papers quoted in SCI, SCNI, EMBASE and IM.

Retired full professor at the Chair for Anesthesiology and Reanimatology, Medical School, University of Zagreb Višnja Majerić Kogler graduated at the Medical School, University of Zagreb in 1968. In 1974 she passed specialist examination. In 1984 she obtained the title of „primarius“(senior physician). In 2004 she obtained the title „ specialist of Intensive Medicine“. In 1983 she got her M.S. degree. In 1986 she obtained Ph.D. at the Medical School, University of Zagreb with Thesis: „Investigation of procedures of artificial ventilation„ Differential ventilation during thoracotomy“. From 1971 to January 2005 she had full-time work at the University Hospital for Lung Diseases „Jordanovac“ Zagreb as Head of the Department for anesthesiology and intensive care. From 2005 to 2010 she was Head of the Department for anesthesiology and reanimatology University Hospital Center, Rebro, Zagreb. She worked as professor and head of the Chair for Anesthesiology and Reanimatology Medical School, University of Zagreb from 1999 to 2010. Special fields of interest and investigation are thoracic anesthesiology, lung transplantation, mechanical ventilation, transfusion medicine, acute and chronic pain therapy. Publications include 11 books, 208 original articles, review articles and clinical reports and 48 teaching papers. Membership: HDAIL, HDLB, HDRA, HDIM, ESA, EEA, EFIC, IASP.

Professor of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. Miroslava Pjević was the founder and first Head of the Outpatient Pain Clinic, Clinical Center of Vojvodina. She was founder and first President of the Serbian Association of Pain Research and Treatment /IASP chapter (2006-2015). In 1982, she completed one year British Council Fellowship for clinical education and training in pain management and developed in a pioneer of clinical pain management and pain education in Serbia. An IASP member since 1990 and EFIC Councilor (2007-2015). She introduced Pain Medicine and Palliative Medicine to the undergraduate curricula of medicine and Pain Medicine sub specialization, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. She is the author of more than 100 manuscripts in journals and books and is Editor of Management of chronic non cancer and cancer pain in adults (e-learning case-based practice, interactive CD-R), published 2011 (EFIC grant) and most recently, Chronic Pain- Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Therapy. Her interests include opioid pharmacology, pharmacology of adjuvants, chronic pain, pain education and pain teaching.

Anesthesiologist in the Clinical Hospital Merkur, Zagreb. Gorana Fingler graduated at Medical Faculty in 2006. After finishing one year of internship, she started residency in 2009. She became a specialist of anesthesiology, reanimation and intensive care treatment in 2014. In 2007, she started postgraduate study and is working PhD in the prevention of acute and chronic postoperative pain. She is currently working in Clinical Hospital Merkur, Zagreb as consultant in anesthesia for big abdominal surgery, liver and kidney transplantation and pain medicine.

Head of the Institute for intensive medicine, Clinic for anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine, University hospital Osijek Chair of Anesthesiology department at Medical school in Osijek University. Slavica Kvolik finished the Medical School and postgraduate education in the field of Clinical Pharmacology in the University in Zagreb. She attended education and published several papers in the fields of clinical pharmacology of anesthetics and perioperative pain treatment. Currently, she works in the Osijek University Hospital, Croatia, as chief of the perioperative ICU. At Medical school in Osijek University holds position of the chair of Anesthesiology department, responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate students and residents education. Reviewer for numerous international journals in the field of anesthesiology and intensive care. Member of domestic and international societies in the fields of anesthesiology, intensive care and pain treatment.

Head of Anesthesia of the Center for Endocrine Surgery of the Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade Chair of Section for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Therapy of Pain of the Serbian Medical Society An Associate Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Serbian Medical Society Nevena Kalezić work as specialist of the anesthesiology with reanimation since 1990, and pain specialist since 2018. She is author of six university textbooks, over 40 papers on the SCI list and a large number of other works published in domestic and foreign journals. She is mentor for making eight doctoral dissertations, 3 master theses, 2 subspecialist works, 9 academic specialization papers and a large number of diploma papers. The chair of the Commission for the Specialist Examination in Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive Therapy, and the Chair of the Commission for taking oral exams from the specialty of Pain Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Belgrade. One of the founders of the Department of Specialized Medicine at Pain Medication at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Belgrade. She was organizer and president of the scientific committee of over 30 national expert-scientific meetings with international participation in anesthesiology, reanimation, intensive care and pain therapy, held throughout Serbia. Founder and President of the Organizing Committee of the Belgrade Anesthesia Forum, the first category national symposium with international participation.

Art Medica Ltd. Ante Barada received his MD and Ph.D. from the Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, Croatia. He was head of the Department of Neurology Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic, Zagreb from 1997 to 2016. His main clinical and research interest is the pathophysiology and therapy of diabetic neuropathy. He has served as principal investigator for a several international clinical trials. He founded Art Medica Ltd. for neurology and pain medicine in 2016. Dr. Barada is member of the EFNS Panel Neuropathic pain and Vice-chair of the Croatian Pain Society.

Head of Headache Clinic at University Department of Neurology in Osijek, Croatia President of the Headache Section of the Croatian Neurology Society Prof. Davor Jančuljak obtained his MD at the Zagreb University Medical School, dislocated study in Osijek. Since 1992. he is fully employed at the Department of Neurology, Osijek University Hospital. Specialization in neurology in 1996. Head of the Headache Clinic since 1998. Actual post: Chief of the Division of General Neurology, Epilepsy, Mental and Sleep Disorders. He got his MSc degree in 1997 and PhD in 2000, both in biomedical sciences. Full professor of neurology at the Medical School of the Osijek University. President of the Publishing Board at the Medical School. Active member of several national and international societies for pain and headache (International Headache Society, American Headache Society). Field of interest: pain, headache, epilepsy, neuroimmunology and stroke.

Vice president of Croatian Pain Society at Croatian Medical Association. Prim. Mira Fingler graduated at University of Zagreb School of Medicine, and in 1979. she specialized anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive care at Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek. She founded the Pain Clinic at Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek in 1989. In 1998. she established the Association of Friends of Hospice Osijek, and serves as the president of the association ever since. Mira Fingler organized and managed several courses of first category, such as „Treatment of acute and chronic pain“ and „Diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain“. She also organized many professional conferences, such as „Europe and Osijek together against pain“. From the year of 2002. until 2009. Mira Fingler was Vice president of Croatian Pain Society, and since 2009. until 2017. she was the president of Croatian Pain Society at Croatian Medical Association. She has published over 40 articles in professional medical journals and has been the invited lecturer at more than 80 symposiums in Croatia and surrounding countries. Mira Fingler is the author and coauthor of five university handbooks.

Head of the Institute for Radiotherapy Oncology of the Oncology Clinic of KBC "Zagreb". Professor at the Department of Clinical Oncology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb. Antonio Juretić work in the Institute for Radiotherapy Oncology of the Oncology Clinic of KBC "Zagreb". Due to the scientific and professional development, he has been abroad on several occasions: Tubingen, Germany; Philadelphia, USA; Basel, Switzerland. He has actively participated in the organization of several oncology symposia and congresses in Croatia. The co-organizer or organizer of several courses of permanent medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb. He is a full member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatia and member of several domestic and international professional associations (ESTRO, European Radiotherapy and Oncology Society, ASCO, American Society for Clinical Oncology, ASTRO, American Radiotherapy and Oncology Society, ESMO, European Society for Medical Oncology, passed ESMO exam on medical oncology).

Specialist in anaesthesiology, emergency medicine and intensive care subspecialist in General Hospital Karlovac, Croatia. Mirjana Loncarić – Katušin graduated at the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, in 1989. In 2016 she received her doctoral degree, PhD, dissertation „ The effect of pregabalin on a chronic pain and the quality of life after inguinal hernia surgery“. She is the author and co-author of more than 50 scientific and professional papers. Scientific and professional interest: pain management and intensive care.

Specialist in anesthesiology, reanimation and intensive care. Head of Division for Anesthesia and Intensive Care and Head of Pain Unit at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb. Jasna Spiček-Macan graduated at the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb in 1992. Until 1994, she worked in the Emergency Medical Service. From 2001, she works at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb. She got PhD degree at School of Medicine University of Zagreb. She founded Pain Unit in her hospital in 2005. Since then, treatment of acute and chronic pain, especially of oncologic patients is her special interest. She finished numerous continuing education courses about pain treatment and palliative medicine. She was also invited speaker at numerous continuing education courses about anesthesia and intensive care medicine, as well as acute and chronic pain and palliative medicine. As an author or co-author, she published 17 scientific and professional papers. She is member of European Society of Anesthesiology (ESA), European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Anesthesiology (EACTA), Croatian Medical Association, Croatian Society for Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia and the Croatian Society for Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive Care, Croatian Society for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Croatian Society for the Treatment of Pain, Croatian Society for Intensive Medicine, Acupuncture Society. She is Secretary of the Croatian Society for Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia, and treasurer of the Croatian Society for Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive Care.

Head of Institute for Palliative Medicine and Care at Medical Faculty at University Maribor, Slovenia. The Director of EPF EFIC School for Cancer Pain and Palliative Care in Maribor. Assist. Prof. Nevenka Krčevski Škvarč is specialist in Anesthesiology and Reanimatology with additional knowledge in Pain Medicine and Palliative Care. She is partially involved in the work of Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Treatment, University Hospital Maribor, Slovenia where she has held the position of the Head of Palliative Care and Pain Treatment Units. She is teacher and the Head of Institute for Palliative Medicine and Care at Medical Faculty at University Maribor, Slovenia. Since 1995, she is active in the field of pain medicine as clinician, organizer, leader, teacher and researcher in Slovenia and wider European space. Her main clinical and research interests are cancer pain, neuropathic pain and neuromodulation. She published more than 100 scientific articles; the bibliography can be seen in COBISS.SI. Positions and Honors: Past President and the Council Member of Slovenian Association for Pain Management, Past Honorary Secretary of European Pain Federation EFIC, EPF EFIC Councilor, The member of European Pain Federation Task Forces on Cancer Pain and Cannabinoids based medicines, The Director of EPF EFIC School for Cancer Pain and Palliative Care in Maribor, Slovenia, Honorable Member of Croatian Pain Association, Honorable Member of Slovenian Pain Association, Honorable Member of Croatian Medical Chamber, The Award of University Maribor – Silver Key for the development of simulations in medicine, the Award of Medical Faculty of University Maribor, The Golden Award of Slovenian Pain Association, The Award for Life Work of Slovenian Association of Anesthesiology and Intensive Medicine, The Award of EPF EFIC: Pain Champion.

Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine Osijek. Jasminka Milas-Ahić graduated from University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Croatia and she has been working in the University Hospital Osijek since 1995. She finished her residence in Internal Medicine from University Hospital Osijek and Zagreb. From 2000-2002. she has been working as a postdoctoral fellow at Bone Biology Department in Medical School, University of Indiana in Indianapolis performing research on PTH and anabolic effects on bone. Based on this research, 2006. she completed her PhD from University of Osijek, School of Medicine. She is a member of Croatian Rheumatology Society, EULAR, Croatian Medical Chamber, Croatian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. Her research topics include rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, systemic sclerosis and osteoporosis, as well as allergic diseases and immunodeficiency.

Head of Medical Rehabilitation Clinic, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia. Head of Department for Medical Rehabilitation at Medical Faculty of Novi Sad, Serbia. President of Serbian Society for Pain Research and Treatment (National Chapter of IASP). Snežana Tomašević-Todorović does research in medicine and rheumatology. Her current project is 'Procena neuropsiholoških manifestacija kod pacijenata sa reumatoidnim artritisom.

Head of Department for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Mira Kadojić graduated from Medical School in Osijek, University of Zagreb in 1985. In 1996, she specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation. In 2011, she defended her PhD with the theme „Assessment of prosthetic provision efficiency in patients with transfemoral amputation“. She finished 10 different postgraduate courses, attended numerous international and domestic professional meetings, published 20 scientific and professional papers, 30 congress reports and held many professional lectures. Her particular interests in the field: degenerative spine diseases and osteoporosis. In 2015, she became Rheumatology subspecialist. She is the member of Croatian Medical Association, Croatian Medical Chamber, Croatian Society of Physiatrist Medicine and Rehabilitation, Croatian Rheumatologic Society, Croatian Society of Vertebrology, Croatian Catholic Medical Society as well as the member of journal editorial board for journal of Croatian Society of Physiatrist Medicine and Rehabilitation under the Croatian Medical Association.

Head of the Orthopedic Department at the Institute for Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine Osijek. Saša Rapan obtained his MD in 1994 at the Zagreb University Medical School, dislocated study in Osijek. He passed orthopedic specialist examination in 2001. He got his MSc degree in 2007 and PhD in 2010. Since 1994. he is fully employed at the Osijek University Hospital. Field of interest is improving the treatment of degenerative diseases of the spine. He finished spinal surgery training at the orthopedic Clinic Ljubljana in 2002 and at Klagenfurt in 2004. Same year he finished education of minimal invasive spinal surgery in Gdansk, vertebroplasty in Split, spinal surgery in Gent. In 2008, he finished minimal invasive hip and knee joint surgery education in Paris, minimal invasive hip joint surgery in Pecs, high viscous cement vertebroplasty in Salzburg, and vertebroplasty education at the Orthopedic Clinic in Frankfurt. In 2011, he was instructor of the vertebroplasty course in Salzburg.

Clinic for anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. External associate at the Lavoslav Ružička University in Vukovar. Vanja Matković enrolled Physiotherapy study at the High School of Health in Zagreb and gained the title of a bachelor of physiotherapy in 2006. She became graduated physiotherapist in area of muscular-bone physiotherapy in 2013. at the Zagreb University of Health. She has been employed at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Osijek since 1999. In 2014, she transfers to the Clinic for Anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive care, at the Pain Institute as a member of the multidisciplinary program for the treatment of chronic pain. Since 2015 she has been working as an external associate at the Lavoslav Ružička University in Vukovar. From 2017 Vanja holds a master's degree in Physiotherapy from Faculty of Health Studies in Rijeka.

Physiotherapy Practice Ergovita. Ozana Pope-Gajić gained her experience during ten-year work at the Clinical Hospital, and extended it with teaching at Medical School. She specialized in musculoskeletal problems, completing a number of professional courses. In her private practice, the need for a more complete approach has been demonstrated and Bowen technique has been integrated as an ideal method that enables holistic treatment. For faster results in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, since 20013, Emmett technique is also used. Ozana possess an MS in nursing, a BS in Physiotherapy and has finished Pedagogical-psychological education. She is intensively improves her knowledge and skills with world-renowned experts, and is delivering Bowen and Emmett courses in Croatia and the United States. She is the author of a textbook „Movement therapy“.

Pain unit at Clinic for anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Iva Dimitijevic holds a master's degree in psychology from Faculty of humanities and social sciences Osijek. Iva is a licensed psychologist, member of Croatian Psychological Chamber, and a member of Croatian association for Behavioral-Cognitive Therapy, as a second degree trainee. Her professional interests are using Cognitive behavioral techniques on patients with anxiety and depression symptoms following chronic pain.

Pain unit at Clinic for anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Ljubica Vrgoč completed High School of Medicine in Osijek. She graduated at the Occupational Therapy Study at the Zagreb University Health Care University in 2013, with the title of bachelor of occupational therapy. After graduation, she started one-year program of preparatory exercise that has been conducted at the Special Hospital for the Protection of Children with Neural and Motor Disabilities in Development in Zagreb. Since 2016, she has been employed at the Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, at the Department of Pain Institute at the Clinic for Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive treatment at the place of occupational therapy bachelor as a member of the multidisciplinary program for the treatment of chronic pain.

Professor of Anesthesiology Carolina's Pain Institute. Director-At-Large, International Neuromodulation Society. Director-At-Large, North American Neuromodulation Society. Dr. Kapural’s interests include peripheral nerve stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, discogenic low back pain and visceral abdominal pain. Dr. Kapural earned a medical degree and a doctorate of philosophy at the University of Zagreb, School of Medicine in the Republic of Croatia. He completed Research Fellowships at McGill University´s Anesthesia Research Department in Montreal, Canada and Physiology Department, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT. Following his Fellowship in Pain Management at the Cleveland Clinic, he stayed in Cleveland Clinic’s Pain Management Department for 10 years, serving also as Director of Clinical Research and Professor of Anesthesiology at CCLMC of the Case Western University. Dr. Kapural is an active member of number of professional organizations including the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, North American and International Neuromodulation Societies and World Institute of Pain. In addition, he is an invited speaker to many national and international meetings. He served as Director-At-Large of American Academy of Pain Medicine, and currently as Director-At-Large of both North American and International Neuromodulation Society. Dr. Kapural’s experience is broad and encompasses teaching and clinical education, extensive research, and innovations in the area of pain treatments that brought him two Innovator Awards. His noteworthy research findings have been published in more than 100 journal articles, more than 100 abstracts, 2 books and 30 book chapters. He is listed by his peers in the “Best Doctors in America”.

Head of the Clinic for Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Head of the Pain Unit, University Hospital Osijek. President of the Croatian Pain Society – Croatian Medical Association. Ivan Radoš graduated from the Medical Faculty Zagreb. He specialized Anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine in 2004. Since 2004, he has been working full time in pain clinic with a special interest in management neuropathic and cancer pain and intervention pain management. So far, he has received education on the interventional treatment of pain in Boston, Utrecht and London. He also attended several workshops organized by international societies in pain treatment. He completed his postgraduate doctoral study in the field of biomedicine and health care at the Medical Faculty in Osijek in 2012 with the theme "Transforaminale vs interlaminar epidural steroid injections for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis". In 2013, he has been elected as the assistant professor at the School of Medicine in Osijek. He has published over twenty papers in medical journals. He is the author of six chapters in university textbooks. He helped to organized two European Pain Federation EFIC endorsed Interventional Pain Management Symposium & Cadaver Workshop in Osijek, in 2015 and 2016. He has been an invited lecturer at several courses of the first category at the Medical Faculty in Osijek, the Faculty of Medicine in Zagreb and the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka. Awards received: Gratitude Diploma of the Croatian Medical Chamber, Gratitude Diploma of the Croatian Medical Association, and Diploma of the Croatian Society for Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia.

Head of the unit of functional neurosurgery at the University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia. Department of Neurosurgery at the University Medical Center Ljubljana. Mitja Benedičič primary focus is functional neurosurgery, including deep brain stimulation for movement disorder, spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain and intrathecal baclofen therapy (implantation of baclofen pumps) for spasticity. He is also a member the state-of-the-art spasticity treatment team in Slovenia. Besides functional neurosurgery, he also performs complex spine procedures. He is a (co)-author of 12 SCI-indexed publications and works to improve accessibility of neuromodulation therapies to patients in other neighboring regions.

Professor and Chairman Emeritus and Director of Pain Services at Texas Tech University Health Science Centre. Gabor B. Racz is currently working on building an international treatment/research pain center on the Lubbock, TX, campus. In 1977, he became the first Chairman of Anesthesiology at Texas Tech University Health Science Centre, and in 1998, he was awarded a $1 million endowed chair in recognition of his "greatness in patient care, teaching and research" at Texas Tech University Health Science Centre and University Medical Centre. Internationally recognized for his extensive work in the treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Dr. Racz is in demand as a visiting professor, consultant, advisor and author. He is a regular faculty member with education groups, including the Dannemiller Memorial Education Foundation, Pain Net, Inc., and Clinical Education Services, Inc. He has published a variety of book chapters and journal articles. In 1996, Racz was the first recipient of the Grover E. Murray Professorship, TTUHSC's highest award. In December 1998, the University Medical Centre named him to a $1 million endowed chair in recognition of his work at TTUHSC and the University Medical Centre. In 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. In October 2012, the New York/New Jersey Societies of Interventional Pain Physicians awarded Racz a lifetime achievement award. Dr. Racz served as house surgeon and physician at the Royal Southern Hospital in Liverpool before coming to the United States in 1963 for an anesthesiology residency at SUNY Upstate Medical Centre in Syracuse, NY.

Nataša Grancarić is a current interventional pain management fellow at the Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, United States. Dr. Grancarić went on to complete her undergraduate degree in Biology at Binghamton University in New York in 2008. After graduating from Binghamton University, she went on to attend St. George’s Medical University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. She received her doctorate in medicine in 2013 and completed a 4-year residency in Anesthesiology in Syracuse, New York, in 2017. Dr. Grancarić is completing training in interventional pain management at Upstate University Hospital and will be joining the Faculty of Columbia University Medical Center in New York City as this summer where she will be instructing trainees within the Anesthesiology and Pain Management departments. She is actively involved in the North American Neuromodulation Society as well as the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine with a focus on Women in Neuromodulation and resident and fellow education.Dr. Grancarić's interests include ultrasound-guided interventions, neuromodulation, and regional anesthesia.

Anesthesiologist in Children Hospital Zagreb, Croatia. Dr. Tomislav Kifer has been working as anesthesiologist in Children Hospital Zagreb since 2003. He finished subspecialty in intensive care in 2017. He is active speaker in English. He is member of Croatian Medical Chamber, Croatian Association of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Croatian Association of Pediatric Anesthesiology.

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka. Vlasta Orlić Karbić finished Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka in 1993. She did regular medical training at the Health Center of Poreč at Emergency Medical Service. Since June 1996. until November 2001. she was resident on the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. From 2001. until now she is working as the Specialist of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine on the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. In 2009 she started working in Pain Unit. She is skilled in regional anesthesia from year 2011. In year 2014, she is also skilled in acupuncture and perform it Pain Unit. In June 2009. she defended master's thesis entitled "The Attitude of High School Students about Organ Donation and Transplantation“ and gained the Master of Science degree. In April 2016. she defended doctoral dissertation under the title "Immunomodulatory effect of Gabapentin“ and got the title of Doctor of Medical Sciences. Vlasta published series of original researches and professional articles from the field of pain medicine. Her research work was recognized and 2015.she win a Medis Award for the scientific field of anesthesiology. She was member of Croatian Pain Society and the member of Management Advisory Board.

Anesthesiologist in Pain Treatment Ambulance, University Hospital Sisters of Mercy, Zagreb. Lidija Fumić Dunkić has been working in University Hospital Center Sisters of Mercy Zagreb for the past 12 years. Since 2009 she has working in the Ambulance for the treatment of pain. She has completed a series of education in the country and abroad in the field of pain management with significant insights into cancer pain and cancer pain management in palliative patients. So far, she has been actively participating in a number of domestic and international congresses, as well in courses in continuing medical education. . She is author or co-author of a series of articles or chapters in the textbooks. Her special field of interest is pain healing in cancerous and palliative patients, education of health professionals with the aim of advancing the profession in this field, and the application of intervention techniques in the treatment of cancer pain.

Anesthesiologist in Clinic for Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, Pain Unit, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Croatia. Ozana Katarina Tot studied at Medical Faculty of the University of Novi Sad and University of Osijek where she graduated in 1999. She completed post-graduate scientific studies in Biomedicine and Health during 2003-2006. She successfully finished specialization in anesthesia and intensive care in 2007 in Zagreb. In 2002, she finished training for acupuncture and received the license for independent application of this type of treatments. Since 2010, she is an assistant to the hospital transplantation coordinator for explantations of human donors’ organs. She works in ambulance for treatment of chronic, neuropathic, cancer and musculoskeletal pain. As author or co-author, she participated in a series of domestic and international conferences in medicine and attended several training courses for permanent education of medical doctors (e.g. EUSOS study). She is a member of the Croatian Pain Management Society and contributes to the training “Acupuncture in Clinical Practice”. At the Faculty of Medicine, she explores the pain in laboratory mice. In 2013 she defended PhD thesis “Influence of Volatile Anesthetics on the Layout and Distribution of Lipid Rafts” under the supervision of Prof. Marija Heffer.

Specialist in anesthesiology and emergency medicine, subspecialist in intensive care medicine. Head of anesthesiology department of the Clinic of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care at University Hospital Sveti Duh in Zagreb. Lecturer at Catholic University of Croatia. Ivan Šklebar graduated at the School of Medicine, University in Zagreb in 1989. In 2003 he finished LMHS - SMDP/ Course on Management for International Public Health, CDC and Emory University Atlanta, GA, USA. He finished Postgraduate study in clinical management at Andrija Štampar School of Public Health Zagreb in 2004. In 2007 he finished International Summer Practicum on Patient Safety (ESQH) Krakow, Poland. In 2008/9 he completed education in The TEMPUS Palliative and Pain Medicine Project, Zagreb, Florence, Lyon. In 2011. he obtained PhD degree at School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb. In 2014 he completed the „Training course on Clinical Application of Chinese Acupuncture“ in China. Fields of work and interest: anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive care, pain therapy, quality management and palliative care medicine.

Anesthesiologist in Clinic for Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, Pain Unit, University Hospital Osijek, Croatia. Specialist in anesthesiology and emergency medicine, subspecialist in intensive care medicine. Darija Venžera Azenić graduated from the Medical Faculty in Osijek. In 2005. she started her training in anesthesiology, and since 2010. she works in Pain Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Medicine of University Hospital Osijek. She is an assistant in the Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek. Her special interest is interventional pain management.

Anesthesiologist in Pain Unit, University Hospital Osijek. Ivana Haršanji Drenjančević was born on July 24, 1976. in Osijek. In 2001. she completed the study of medicine at Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Branch Osijek. She specialized Anesthesiology, reanimatology and intensive medicine in 2008. and works at the Osijek University Hospital. From 2009. she is the assistant at the Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Medicine at Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek. In 2017. she defended her doctoral dissertation named “Does the anesthesia technique, interscalene block or general anesthesia, affect arterial pressure and regional cerebral oxygen saturation during shoulder arthroscopy in the beach chair position?”. She is also an author and co-author of so far 17 in extenso papers published in CC, SCI/SCIE and Index Medicus. She is a lecturer at postgraduate courses in the field of anesthesia, pain management and several others. An area of scientific and professional interest is regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

Asoc. Prof. Ervina Bilić, MD, PhD, neurologist, is a head of the Department of Neurology Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine and Head of Referral Center Ministry of Health Republic of Croatia for Neuromuscular diseases and Clinical Electromyoneurography. The narrowest areas of her scientific, teaching and professional work are neuromuscular diseases, clinical electromyonurography, neuropathic pain and metabolic diseases. She was a mentor for 13 graduate theses, several PhD theses, she is mentor for education in neurology and for eductaion in clinical electromyoneurography. Prof Bilić is author of more than 40 textbooks and teaching texts, 40 scientific and professional papers and has 128 independent citations to WoS. Prof Bilic is co-author of National Guidelines for Neuromuscular Diseases and supervisor of 12 courses of continuing medical education in the area of Neuromuscular Diseases, within which shee was the editor of 11 accompanying manuals published in Medicinska naklada publishing edition. Prof Bilić a Vice-Chair of the Commission for Professional Issues and Professional Supervision of the Croatian Medical Chamber, a member of the Executive Board of the Croatian Brain Council, and the secretary the Croatian Society for Neuromuscular Diseases and Clinical Electromyoneurography.

Specialist in neurology, specialist in phys. and rehab. med. Department for neurorehabilitation University Medical Center Ljubljana. Dr. Aleš Pražnikar finished his basic medical training at Faculty of Medicine, University in Ljubljana. He started his carrier at University Rehabilitation Institute Soča, where he was involved in the fields of spasticity, gait analysis, neuropathic pain and neuromuscular disorders. He holds licences in physical and rehabilitation medicine and clinical neurology. In 2007 he was invited to organise new Neurorehabilitation Department at University Medical Center Ljubljana. He has established different neurorehabilitation programs together with the neurorehabilitation and neuropathic pain out-patient clinics. He lectures on neurorehabilitation and pain at faculty of Medicine and is regularly invited to hold presentations at scientific meetings. He (co)authored several national clinical guidelines, articles and chapters on pain, gait, stroke, neuromuscular disorders and neurorehabilitation. He served as co-director of International Alliance of ALS/MND, as a president of the Medical Council of Slovenian MDA, is member of the Executive Board of Slovenian Pain Society and has been elected the national delegate to EAN Scientific Boards for Neurorehabilitation and Neuropathic Pain.