About – EMSA Zagreb

What is EMSA?

The European Medical Students Association (EMSA) is an organization that connects medical student branches across Europe, focusing on public health, medical education, science, ethics, and European integration. EMSA Zagreb, one of its oldest branches, was founded by students from the University of Zagreb’s School of Medicine and has been active for over 20 years. There are three major projects we conduct.To find our more, continue reading down below.

Zagreb International Medical Summit

ZIMS is a student congress that brings together students and young physicians from the biomedical sciences, with a focus on medical research. Established in 2000 by EMSA Zagreb and SSHLZ Zagreb, it is held annually in December, attracting participants from across Europe and the world. The 3-day event features a rich scientific and social program, with around 70 participants each year. Attendees can actively present their research or participate in workshops and lectures. All abstracts are published in the Book of Abstracts, which is included as a supplement to the journal Liječnički vjesnik. The congress includes guest speakers, including professors from the University of Zagreb’s School of Medicine and practical workshops (e.g., surgical suturing, first aid, and ECG reading). An equall¸important part of the congress is the social program which offers city tours as day trip, and various evening events to foster connections and introduce participants to the beauty and culture of Croatia.

Teddy Bear Hospital

The “Teddy Bear Hospital” was first implemented on May 24, 2002.. It involves conducting workshops indoors (in libraries and kindergartens) and outdoors (in Maksimir Park). The intended age group for the workshops is preschool children and the workshops take place several times a month. Children can bring their own „sick“ stuffed toys to the “teddy bear doctors” and through play and interaction with the project volunteers, they help treat their teddy bear with the goal of familiarizing children with basic healthcare processes and aid in lessening their fear of the white coat. At the end, each child receives a bravery diploma as a keepsake and as encouragement to make their next visit to the doctor less scary. Other information materials such as vaccination booklets and diverse age-appropriate picture books with the purpose of educating them on basic health concepts. Volunteers are also given diplomas for their participation in the project as a token of appreciation.

Emergency Medicine Summer School

The goal of this project is to familiarize students in clinical years of medical study with the theory and practice of working in emergency medical services through a series of workshops and lectures, with a particular emphasis on acquiring practical knowledge and skills. Over the course of a week, approximately 40 participants engage in small groups to explore various aspects of emergency medicine and have the opportunity to attend a valuable ILS course. Smaller student groups and an individualized approach allow each participant to actively practice the manual skills necessary for independent work in the emergency response system.