Asst. Prof. Irena Hrstić, MD, PhD currently serves as the Minister of Health of the Republic of Croatia, having been appointed to the position in December 2024. She graduated from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, where she also completed a postgraduate scientific program in biomedicine, earning both her Master’s and PhD degrees under the mentorship of Professor Boris Vucelić, MD, PhD. She completed her residency in internal medicine and subspecialty training in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University Hospital Centre Rebro. Her professional development includes further training in the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany, and she has expanded her expertise through additional education in healthcare management.
Irena Hrstić began her medical career as a general practice intern at the Dubrava Health Center. She went on to spend 15 years at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, working in the Department of Gastroenterology at the Clinic for Internal Medicine. In 2012, she joined the General Hospital Pula, where she soon became Director, a position she held until 2024. In July 2024, she was appointed State Secretary at the Ministry of Health. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Hrstić is also active in academia. She holds the title of Assistant Professor at the University of Rijeka School of Medicine and the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula.
She is the author of numerous scientific and professional publications and a frequent speaker at both national and international conferences. She has served for many years as Secretary of the Croatian Society of Gastroenterology and is a member of several national and international medical organizations, as well as a collaborator in various professional associations and patient advocacy groups. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her organizational skills and commitment to humanitarian work.
