Zagreb, October 9, 2026 I Hotel Westin, Zagreb

Women in Healthcare Forum

Women Who Heal & Lead

For Healthcare’s Changemakers

AGENDA

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Be part of the transformation

The Women in Healthcare Forum is a leading event dedicated to advancing women in healthcare and shaping the future of the industry.

Why does this Forum matter?

This is not just another conference. The Women in Healthcare Forum is a platform where women in healthcare - physicians, nurses, midwives, healthcare professionals, managers, scientists, pharmacists and entrepreneurs - connect, exchange experiences with relevant partners and jointly reflect on the future of the system.

Constructive dialogue with men is a key part of this process. A better healthcare system can only be built together, which is why the Forum is also open to men who wish to have an active role in driving change.

Facts

Women make up more than 70% of the workforce, both at the global and EU level and in Croatia, and around 58% of all graduates in medicine and health sciences*.

BUT

Women hold only 25% of leadership roles in healthcare worldwide**.

If they run the system, why not lead it too?Are we ready to make a change?

* Women in healthcare leadership

** Advancing women in healthcare leadership

Our objectives

Open doors to decision-making.

Ensure that the expertise of women in healthcare is present where priorities are set, strategic decisions are made, and key partnerships are forged.

Connect and empower.

Enable purposeful networking with leading companies, institutions and experts, together with mentoring support that accelerates professional growth and leadership development.

Remove barriers.

Identify and dismantle stereotypes and structural obstacles, positioning women’s leadership as a clearly recognized strategic advantage for organizations and the healthcare system.

Why attend?

Connect with leaders in healthcare.

Meet key decision-makers from hospitals, industry, public institutions and the private sector, and open doors to collaboration, mentorship and new projects.

Learn together.

Hear candid stories from women leaders who have faced challenges, delivered results and are transforming the system – and turn their experience into your own strategy.

Take a step forward for your career and organization.

Leave with new ideas, practical tools and a professional network that supports your next move – whether you are a specialist, manager or entrepreneur.

Participants and speakers

Leaders of hospitals, clinics and polyclinics, public health institutions, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and health tech start-ups.

Experts in medicine and science, healthcare professionals and key stakeholders across the healthcare system.

Representatives of public health institutions, public health agencies, and public health organizations.

Representatives of professional associations and patient organisations.
Professionals who wish to expand their impact, networks and scope of responsibility.

Change-makers committed to high-quality leadership, innovation and the advancement of the healthcare system.

Agenda

10:30–11:00

Registration

11:00–11:10

Opening Ceremony

Welcome remarks by the organizers and partners

11:10–11:30

Opening Conversation

Between Career, Family and Responsibility

When two demanding careers and a shared life intertwine

A personal conversation about professional dedication, mutual support and balancing careers, family and the responsibilities that come with a life in healthcare. With a special focus on research and the position of women in oncology and healthcare.

Prof. Stjepko Pleština, MD, PhD, Head of the Department of Oncology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb
Prof. Sanja Pleština, MD, PhD, Head of the Department for Rare Thoracic Tumors, Clinic for Lung Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb

SESSION 1. THE SYSTEM AND PREJUDICES

11:30–12:00

Panel discussion

The Women Who Keep The Healthcare System Running

What do women need in order to advance, lead and remain in the system?

A conversation about the real position of women in healthcare - professional development, career advancement and leadership, work-life balance, and the role of institutions in creating a system that enables women to develop their careers.

Panelists:

Vikica Krolo, MD, Deputy President of the Croatian Medical Chamber
Ana Ljubas, Chief Nursing Officer, University Hospital Centre Zagreb
Caterina Rende Dominis, Member of Cabinet Dubravka Šuica, European Commission
Kaja Radeta, Business Unit Director for the Adriatic Region and Hungary, AbbVie
Matea Bingula, Resident in Emergency Medicine and Co-founder of the Sentinel Uma Platform

12:00–12:10

Expert Talk

The Invisible Burden of Women in Healthcare

Between professional calling and women's health

Academician Vanja Bašić Kes, University Hospital Centre Sestre milosrdnice

12:10–12:40

Panel discussion

They Care for Everyone - But Who Cares for Them?

Women’s Health and the Culture of Downplaying

How well do women who care for others every day take care of their own health? A conversation about women’s health and health concerns that are still too often downplayed or overlooked, and the need for better recognition and a more serious approach to these issues. With a particular focus on the role of healthcare professionals, institutions, and employers in creating a system that better supports the women who care for others.

Panelists:

Academican Vanja Bašić Kes, University Hospital Centre Sestre milosrdnice
Tanja Zovko, Chair of the Ethical Affairs Committee, Croatian Nursing Council
Anuška Budisavljević, MD, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Pula
Josipa Ljubičić, Director of the Clinical Trials Center, Proqlea
Nataša Božić Šarić, Head of External Communications for the Adriatic Region, AbbVie

12:40–12:45

Stand-up Conversation

When a Man Starts a Conversation About Menstruation

5 minutes about the initiative that opened up the issue of menstrual pain and menstrual leave

Luka Serdarević, Petition Initiator

12:45–13:00

Break & Networking

SESSION 2. WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL AND HEALTHCARE INDUSTRIES

13:00–13:30

Fireside Chat

A New Generation of Women Leaders

Careers and the challenges of leadership

A conversation about the path to leadership positions, the responsibility they carry, and what organizations can do to ensure that talent, knowledge and ability - rather than gender - determine who reaches the positions where decisions are made.

Alenka Jajac Knez, Executive Director, JGL
Eva Usmiani Capobianco, President of the Management Board, JGL

13:30–14:10

Panel

GAME CHANGERS

Women Pushing Boundaries

No presentations, no filters - just personal experiences

Personal stories from women across healthcare and industry about the decisions, turning points and experiences that shaped their careers - and about ambition, risk, responsibility and new professional and entrepreneurial models.

Panelists:

Nikolina Sesar, MD, Croatia's first female neurosurgeon, University Hospital Centre Sestre milosrdnice
Sanja Šagud, Chief Director, Farmacia Pharmacy Operations, Atlantic Grupa
Sanja Klobučar, PhD, Specialist in Internal Medicine and Subspecialist in Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital Center Rijeka
Hana Breyer Priselac, Direcotr of the Breyer Polyclinic
Mirela Bubenik, Director of Operations Management Support and Technical Support at Hospira Zagreb, a member of the Pfizer Group
Ana Soldo, President of the Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists

14:10–14:20

Awards Ceremony: “Medical Women Impact Award”

A formal award ceremony honoring women whose professional work has made a significant impact on healthcare and society.

14:20–15:00

Lunch & Networking

Single Award "Women in Healthcare Impact Award"

Recognizing, rewarding, and encouraging women who are changing healthcare.

Women in Healthcare Forum gives away this award to celebrate leadership, innovation and advocacy that improve patient outcomes, equity, workforce culture and system performance.

Who’s eligible

Women working in or with healthcare (clinicians, managers, entrepreneurs, educators, policy/public-health leaders).

Requirement

Demonstrated contribution to healthcare and society, achieved through an individual accomplishment or many years of professional service.

Note: Jury members are not eligible to apply.

Jury (3 members)

Independent three-member jury from diverse sectors (e.g., clinical, academic/science, industry). Conflicts of interest are disclosed; recusal as required.