Željko Reiner

Željko Reiner (born 28 May 1953) is a Croatian physician, politician, university professor, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and former Minister of Health and Social Welfare who served as the 10th Speaker of the Croatian Parliament since independence and the 20th speaker overall, from December 2015 until October 2016.

Early life and education Reiner was born in Zagreb on 28 May 1953. His paternal family originates from Austria; his great-grandfather moved from Veliki Bečkerek, Kingdom of Hungary (modern-day Zrenjanin, Vojvodina, Serbia) to Slavonska Požega. His grandmother was a niece of Stjepan Sarkotić, while his father was a nephew of Dragutin Lerman. His mother was born on Krk to an Istrian family.

Career In 1986 Reiner was appointed as docent at the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, and in 1988 as a professor. From 1997 he is regular professor of internal medicine, and from 2009 regular professor at the University of Rijeka. In 1986 he was employed as the Chief Medical Officer of the "Clinical department of medical Oncology clinic", University Hospital Centre Zagreb. Reiner remained in this position until 1995 when he was appointed head officer of the "Department of Internal Medicine" at the University Hospital Centre, Zagreb. He worked there until 2003 and in 2011 he was again elected to that position. He is also head officer of the "Institute for Metabolic Diseases" at the same hospital. From 2004 to 2012 Reiner was the hospital's Chief executive officer. During his tenure the University Hospital Centre Zagreb was expanded and received modern equipment, and is now one and a half times the size it was before Reiner stepped in. He has been a member of the Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences since 1990, and from 2004 to 2012 he was the academy's president. From 1992 to 2006 he was a member-associate of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and from 2006 regular member and academician. In 2011 he was named an honorary member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From 2000 to 2006 he was the chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb. Upon Jandroković's return to Croatia the following day, Reiner ceased to carry out the powers and duties of the presidency, which reverted to the Speaker.

Croatian War of Independence Reiner was a volunteer in the Croatian War of Independence from the early days of its on-set. He was initially both a member and the first deputy commander of the medical headquarters in charge of education and training, and was later commander of the medical personnel. Reiner is a reserve colonel in the Croatian Army.

He has been honored with the following civilian and military awards: Order of Duke Trpimir, Order of Ban Jelačić, Order of Danica Hrvatska, Order of the Croatian Trefoil, Order of the Croatian Interlace, Homeland War Memorial Medal, Medal for Participation in Operation Flash, Medal for Participation in Operation Storm, Medal for Participation in Operation Summer '95 and Memorial Medal "Vukovar". In 2007 Reiner was named honorary citizen of Korčula. He was awarded with the "Ladislav Rakovac Award" and "City of Zagreb Award" in 2011.