Hon. Secretary General, IAAS.

President, The Indian Association of Day Surgery.

Xavier Falieres is a perioperative anesthesiologist at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, a major teaching hospital near Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

He studied general and emergency medicine in France and completed his training in anesthesiology and intensive care in Liège, Belgium. He also holds a Dutch diploma in hospital medical management.

His clinical interests include multimodal anesthesia, regional techniques, ambulatory surgery, obstetric and geriatric anesthesia, orthopedic and thoracic surgery. He has extensive international teaching experience, particularly in Asia.

In management, he served for 12 years as medical director of the operating theatre and is currently on the medical board of the Hélène Schweitzer Clinic (ambulatory and short-stay surgery unit). He is president of the Dutch Society for Ambulatory Care and a board member of the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery.

He is president of the Dutch Society for Ambulatory Care and one of board members of the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery.

His management focus includes operating theatre efficiency, safety, and communication.

Elizabeta Gjorgievska is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry and Head of
the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University Ss Cyril and Methodius,
Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. She became an MSc and specialist in Pediatric and
Preventive Dentistry in 2002, and a PhD in 2006. She has conducted numerous research
visits at Universities in the UK, Belgium, and the USA and has been associated with
several international research projects. She has published more than 100 papers. She
was part of the organization and scientific committees of several national and
international symposia and conferences. She has given lectures and workshops at
scientific conferences in Macedonia and abroad (UK, USA, Ukraine, Croatia, Turkey,
Serbia, Georgia, Spain, etc.). She is an author of 2 and a co-author of 3 monographs,
and an editor and a co-author of a recently published textbook in Pediatric dentistry. In
the period 2010-2014 she was a President of the Macedonian Pedodontic Association.
She is a member of MDA, FDI, IAPD, UKSB and a visiting professor at Columbia
University, NY, USA.
Her research interests involve: synthesis and characterization of glass-ionomer
cements, tooth bleaching, laser application in dentistry, enamel de/remineralization.

Ambulatory surgery has experienced tremendous growth during recent years. We continue to do more complex procedures and treat more complex patients, some of whom are vulnerable such as the elderly, children, children with special needs, mentally disabled and many more. Thanks to innovation in surgery, anaesthesia and nursing but above all thanks to interdisciplinary teamwork we can guarantee safe home discharge for everybody all over the world!!!

Marc Coppens
Anesthesiologist, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium
President of Belgian Association Ambulatory Surgery
Treasurer of International Association Ambulatory Surgery

Ambulatory Surgery: The Future is here.

Ambulatory Surgery means efficiency with quality and safety.

The question is:  Do I have to admit this patient as an inpatient for this surgical procedure if I can perform the operation on this patient on an ambulatory basis?.

Ivana Medvedec Mikić was born in 1981 in Split. She graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Zagreb in 2006. In 2012, she became a specialist in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Zagreb. She earned her PhD in 2013 from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Zagreb. She is currently employed at the Integrated Study of Dental Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Split, in the Department of Restorative Dental Medicine with Endodontics, where she holds the position of Associate Professor. Since 2019, she has been employed at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Clinical Hospital Center of Split as a specialist in endodontics with restorative dentistry. She is involved in the program and outpatient clinic for dental care for people with disabilities at the Department of Dental Medicine of the University Hospital Center Split.

Valentina Rajić is an Associate Professor at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, specialized in dental pathology and endodontics. She heads the Department of Dental Diseases at the University Hospital Center Zagreb and is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. She has authored and reviewed numerous scientific papers and book chapters. Her professional focus is on endodontics, restorative dental medicine, and hospital-based care, especially for patients requiring general anesthesia. She also serves as Vice-President of the Dental Medicine Section of the Croatian Society for Day Surgery.

Matea Veršić is an ENT specialist at Zadar General Hospital. She graduated in 2015 from the University of Rijeka. She passed the specialist exam in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery in 2025. During her education at KBC Zagreb, she participated in the organization of the day surgery department. Education of the organization of day surgery in London is planned. She presented her experience of working in day surgery by actively participating in the international congresses of IAAS and BADS.

Zoran Karlović graduated from School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb. In 2004 he passed his specialist exam from Dental pathology and endodontology. He is employed as a Professor at Department for endodontology and restorative Dentistry of the School of Dental Medicine in Zagreb and at the Dentistry Clinic of the University Hospital Center Zagreb. He is a head of the course “Endodontic surgery: Contemporary approach, methods and materials” for the postgraduate doctor’s studies and Endodontic microsurgery at the postgraduate professional study program. He heads the Dental polyclinic at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb. His area of professional and scientific interest is the care of medically compromised patients and the rehabilitation of patients under general anesthesia.

• Univ. Mag. Med. Techn. (academic title, left as abbreviation)
• Vice President, Croatian Society of Ambulatory Surgery Nurses and Medical Technicians
• I am actively involved in the development and promotion of ambulatory and day surgery nursing practice, with a professional focus on perioperative care, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Dear colleagues,

Join us to share experiences, explore new trends, and connect in relaxed atmosphere of our most beautiful city.

Save the date for May!

Secretary of the Croatian Association of Nurses and Technicians of Day Surgery

Marko Vuletić is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb. He earned his PhD in 2017 and became a specialist in Oral Surgery in 2019. Since 2020, he has been working as an oral surgeon at the Clinical
Department of Oral Surgery, Clinic of Dentistry, University Hospital Centre Zagreb. He actively participates in clinical teaching of students and residents, postgraduate teaching in dental implantology, and continuing education courses in dental medicine. He continuously
improves his scientific and professional skills and has participated in numerous national and international scientific and professional conferences. He has also been an invited lecturer at congresses and has conducted many workshops in Croatia and abroad. He is the author and co-author of more than 100 scientific, professional, and review papers, as well as book chapters and conference papers published in national and international journals. His research interests include surgical procedures in medically compromised patients, cysts and bone tumors in the maxillofacial region, bone and soft tissue augmentation and full-arch
rehabilitation.

This May, the International Congress of Ambulatory Surgery is calling YOU!

Come share your expertise, learn from global leaders, and be part of a community that’s changing healthcare for the better- from general procedures to cutting-edge orthopedic day surgery.

Together, we innovate. Together, we care.

Let’s Make Ambulatory Surgery the Standard of Tomorrow!

Assoc. Prof. Prim. Marijo Bekić, MD, PhD, Specialist in General Surgery, Orthopedics and Traumatology, with a Subspecialization in Traumatology

I graduated from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, where I also earned my Doctor of Science degree through the postgraduate program in Biomedical Sciences. My professional training in surgery and traumatology was carried out at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb and the General Hospital Dubrovnik, where I have served as Director since 2016.
Throughout my professional career, I have been actively involved in clinical practice, healthcare system organization, scientific research, and higher education. I am a course leader and lecturer at several universities and higher education institutions, including the medical faculties in Split, Osijek, and Rijeka, the University of Dubrovnik, and the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb.
I am the author and co-author of numerous scientific and professional papers and an active participant in national and international scientific and professional conferences. I am a member of expert committees and task forces and participate in the implementation of healthcare development projects aimed at improving the quality of care and the efficiency of hospital systems.

Iva Botica is an ENT specialist at KBC Zagreb. She graduated in 2003 from the University of Zagreb. She passed the specialist exams in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery in 2011 and in 2020, she passed the subspecialist exam in head and neck plastic surgery. Founder of the Department of the day surgery of the Clinic for Otolaryngology in 2016.2019 she successfully completes the project European Funds for Regional Development - Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion - Equipping Day Hospitals and Day surgeries and completes professional training for Project Manager EU Funds. During her work and the organization of the department, she contracts new procedure procedures as part of the day surgery approved by the HZZO.

Actively participates in congresses organized by IAAS and BADS. She is a member of BADS (British Association of Day Surgery).

Valentina Rajić is an Associate Professor at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, specialized in dental pathology and endodontics. She heads the Department of Dental Diseases at the University Hospital Center Zagreb and is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. She has authored and reviewed numerous scientific papers and book chapters. Her professional focus is on endodontics, restorative dental medicine, and hospital-based care, especially for patients requiring general anesthesia. She also serves as Vice-President of the Dental Medicine Section of the Croatian Society for Day Surgery.

Dear colleagues,

I cordially invite you to our congress in Dubrovnik!

Let's set aside strict protocols and gather in Dubrovnik to exchange experiences, practical "tips & tricks," and all the essential information needed to elevate nursing in day surgery to the next level. Let’s use this opportunity for informal networking, learning from one another, and strengthening our profession in a relaxed atmosphere.

See you in May to build the future of our field together by the sea!

Warm regards,

President of the Croatian Association of Nurses and Technicians of Day Surgery

Željko Verzak is a full professor in permanent tenure at the School of Dental Medicine,
University of Zagreb and the Head of the Dentistry Clinic at University Hospital Centre Zagreb. He participates in the integrated undergraduate and graduate study of dental medicine, as well as postgraduate studies. He is involved in various research projects and has a large number of scientific papers, professional articles, and participation in conferences. He focuses on pediatric dental and preventive dentistry, especially for patients with special needs. He promotes an interdisciplinary approach and the application of preventive measures in oral health. He is the head of the Reference Center for Preventive Dental Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia and the president of the dental section of the Society for Day Surgery of the Croatian Medical Association.

Looking forward to an event that is more than just a conference - it is a chance to connect with colleagues that share the commitment to patient-centered care and innovation in day surgery. Together, we’ll explore new ideas, celebrate achievements, and continue building lasting relationships that help shape a brighter future for ambulatory surgery.