Health and Well-being Week
Croatia as a Global Destination for Health Tourism — and a Forum for the Future of Medicine
Republic of Croatia
This event brings together leading physicians, researchers, and innovators to explore how emerging technologies and international partnerships are shaping the future of healthcare—and how Croatia is becoming a leader in health tourism.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Well-being
- Others
- Health Tourism
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.07.01[Tue]
10:00 ～ 12:30
(Venue Open 09:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
This program will spotlight:
Croatia’s evolving role as a rising destination for health and wellness tourism, offering forward-looking approaches in sleep medicine, preventive care, and personalized recovery experiences
How wearable technologies, artificial intelligence, and cross-border biomedical networks are redefining clinical practice and patient care
Perspectives from global experts affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Real Madrid, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and the University of Rijeka
A networking session after the event designed to foster new collaborations between professionals
【Wearable technology is transforming medicine】
10:00 – 10:15：Presentation
Dr. Alen Juginović (Harvard Medical School)
10:15 – 10:45 ：Interview/Discussion
Dr. Niko Mihić (Real Madrid CF)
Moderator：Alen Juginović (Harvard Medical School)
【How artificial intelligence is redefining healthcare】
10:45 – 11:25 ：Interview/Discussion
Dr. Franko Hržić (University of Rijeka, Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity)
Ms. Mateja Napravnik (University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering)
Dr. Marko Lukić (Moorfields Eye Hospital)
Moderator: Dr. Alen Juginović (Harvard Medical School)
【Croatia as a global destination for health and wellness tourism】
11:25 – 12:00：Presentation
Dr. Alen Juginović (Harvard Medical School)
【How small countries can build world-class biomedical networks to drive innovation】
12:00 – 12:30：Interview/Discussion
Dr. Marko Lukić (Moorfields Eye Hospital)
Moderator: Dr. Alen Juginović (Harvard Medical School)
Reports
【Reflection】
The Croatian programme at Expo 2025, “Croatia as a Global Destination for Health Tourism — and a Forum for the Future of Medicine,” presented a compelling and forward-looking vision that connected medical innovation, international collaboration, and experiential wellness. Bringing together leading experts from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Real Madrid, Moorfields Eye Hospital, and the University of Rijeka, the event demonstrated Croatia’s rising role as both a hub of health tourism and a laboratory for the future of medicine.
The event opened with a warm and charismatic welcome by Dr. Alen Juginović of Harvard Medical School, who guided the session with energy and clarity. Through video and storytelling, he introduced the audience to the beauty, cultural richness, and medical potential of Croatia, framing the country as more than a destination—it is a healing environment with deeply human values.
The programme was divided into thematic segments. The first, focused on wearable technology, featured Dr. Juginović presenting how smart devices and sensors are reshaping diagnostics and patient care. This was followed by a dialogue with Dr. Niko Mihić (Real Madrid CF), who discussed the practical use of wearable devices in elite athletic health monitoring and recovery. Their conversation highlighted how innovations born in sports medicine can be applied to broader healthcare settings.
The second session, titled “How AI is Redefining Healthcare,” brought together Dr. Franko Hržić, Ms. Mateja Napravnik, and Dr. Marko Lukić. Together, they illustrated the practical and ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence in diagnosis, personalised treatment, and cybersecurity. The speakers not only outlined Croatia’s growing AI infrastructure but also offered a transnational perspective on data-sharing, patient privacy, and algorithmic transparency.
In the third session, Dr. Juginović returned to spotlight Croatia’s health tourism infrastructure—focusing on personalised wellness experiences, such as sleep medicine, post-operative recovery, and preventive care. He noted how Croatia’s serene natural settings and medical excellence create a unique proposition for international patients seeking restorative, holistic experiences.
The final session with Dr. Marko Lukić addressed how small nations like Croatia can build world-class biomedical networks through international partnerships, diaspora engagement, and innovation clustering. The discussion stressed the power of agility, collaboration, and scientific ambition in shaping global health policy and practice. Overall, the Croatian programme stood out not only for its technical insights but for its sincerity, warmth, and vision. It successfully merged hospitality with cutting-edge science, positioning Croatia as a destination of trust, transformation, and transdisciplinary exchange in the global health landscape.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following the Expo 2025 event, Croatia’s Ministry of Health and collaborating institutions have outlined several promising initiatives to carry forward the dialogue and partnerships sparked during the programme.
First, there is strong momentum to establish a Croatian Centre for Digital and Preventive Medicine, to be housed in collaboration with the University of Rijeka and supported by diaspora networks, particularly Croatian researchers at institutions such as Harvard and Moorfields. The Centre aims to formalise research and training in AI-based diagnostics, wearable technology integration, and predictive health modelling, with cross-border collaboration at its core.
Second, a proposal is underway to create a “Croatia Health Tourism Accelerator”, designed to bring together medical, hospitality, and technology startups. The accelerator would support pilot projects, such as smart recovery clinics and post-surgical rehabilitation tourism, and serve as a matchmaking platform for investors and medical entrepreneurs.
Third, Croatia has signalled its interest in co-leading an international task force on small-country innovation in global health. In partnership with other nations presented at Expo 2025 (e.g., Lithuania, UAE, and Slovenia), the task force would explore scalable strategies for AI deployment, regulatory alignment, and ethical frameworks tailored to small and mid-sized economies.
Additionally, discussions are underway to establish an annual “Health and Hospitality Summit” in Croatia, starting in 2026. The summit would convene clinicians, policymakers, tourism operators, and tech companies to co-develop standards and share best practices for health tourism globally.
Finally, Croatia plans to expand its international fellowship programme for young medical professionals and engineers. Participants would rotate through Croatian clinics and innovation hubs while also spending time at partner institutions abroad—fostering a new generation of cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural health leaders.
Cast
Speakers
Niko Mihić
Chief Medical Advisor, Real Madrid President of Sports Doctors Network
Dr. Niko Mihic is currently the Chief Medical Advisor of Real Madrid, CF. Previously, he served as the Director of Medical Services of the club from 2017 to 2023. Dr. Mihic holds several other noteworthy roles, including being the Director of the Executive Health Program for the Hospital de Madrid, physician for the British Air Force and American Section NATO, as well as a Medical Advisor for Air France and KLM. Previously, Dr. Mihic was Medical Advisor to the European Space Agency. Recently, he was featured in Forbes as one of the Top 25 Healthcare Influencers in Spain. He has been practicing medicine for more than 30 years in Spain and Canada.
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Franko Hržić
PhD, University of Rijeka, Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering
Franko Hržić has obtained Thèse en Cotutelle, a joint PhD in medicine and computer engineering from the Medical University of Graz, Austria and the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering, Croatia in 2022. The focus of his PhD was set on applied artificial intelligence in medicine. In 2024 he became a postdoctoral fellow at the Musculoskeletal Digital Innovation & Informatics Program at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's’ Hospital under the supervision of Prof. Ata Kiapour. During his postdoctoral fellowship, he expanded his knowledge of clinical applications of artificial intelligence with a focus on radiology. Currently, he is a senior assistant at the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering, and head of the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Biotechnology at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, University of Rijeka.
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Mateja Napravnik
University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering
Mateja Napravnik is a PhD student finishing her doctoral studies in the field of computer science at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka. Alongside her studies, she worked as an assistant and researcher at the Department of Computer Engineering, contributing to the project “Machine learning for knowledge transfer in medical radiology” led by Prof. Ivan Štajduhar PhD. In collaboration with medical professionals from the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka and the Medical University of Graz, her research focused on machine learning for medical image analysis.
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Marko Lukić
MD, PhD, FEBO, FASRS / Consultant Ophthalmologist affiliated with Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chief Medical Officer of Ascento CDA
Marko Lukić is a consultant ophthalmologist affiliated with Moorfields Eye Hospital and Chief Medical Officer of AscentoCDA, a health tech company using AI to detect early signs of dementia. He is an active member of leading international ophthalmic societies and sits on the Committee of the Association of Croatian British Professionals, building global connections in science and innovation. A pioneer in teleophthalmology, Dr. Lukic is an excellent example of how local talent can drive global change in biomedical innovation.
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Alen Juginović
MD / Postdoctoral Researcher in Sleep Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School / President of Med&X
Alen Juginović is a physician and neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School, where he researches how poor sleep quality affects gut nutrient absorption, inflammation, and disease. He teaches neurobiology at Harvard College and trains clinically at Massachusetts General Hospital's Sleep Clinic. Dr. Juginović is also the co-founder and president of Med&X, a nonprofit advancing Croatian biomedicine through global partnerships. His initiatives have connected over 2,500 biomedical professionals and enabled internships at Harvard, Yale, and MIT. A frequent speaker and author of Sleep Science Made Simple, his work has been published in Cell and featured in The New York Times and Forbes.
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Health and Well-being Week
Croatia as a Global Destination for Health Tourism — and a Forum for the Future of Medicine
This event brings together leading physicians, researchers, and innovators to explore how emerging technologies and international partnerships are shaping the future of healthcare—and how Croatia is becoming a leader in health tourism.
-
2025.07.01[Tue]
10:00～12:30
(Venue Open 09:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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