Marijo Bekic | Orthopedics | Academic Excellence Recognition Award

Prof. Dr. Marijo Bekic | Orthopedics | Academic Excellence Recognition Award

Prof. Dr. Marijo Bekic | General Hospital Dubrovnik | Croatia

Prof. Dr. Marijo Bekic is a distinguished Croatian trauma and orthopaedic surgeon with an extensive academic and clinical career spanning more than two decades. He completed his medical education at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine (1992–1999) and earned his Master of Sciences in Biomedical Studies in 2002. He received his MD PhD in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery in 2005 and progressed through academic ranks, becoming Assistant Professor in 2014, Associate Professor at Dubrovnik University in 2020, Associate Professor at the University of Rijeka in 2023, and later at the University of Split School of Medicine in 2024. His professional journey began at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zagreb (2002–2007), followed by several years in traumatology at County Hospital Dubrovnik, where he served as General Surgeon-Traumatologist and later Head of the Department of Orthopaedy and Traumatology (2014–2016). Since 2016, he has held senior clinical and leadership roles, including Hospital Director at County Hospital Dubrovnik, contributing significantly to healthcare management and surgical excellence. Prof. Bekic is deeply engaged in national and international professional bodies, serving as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Health Center Dubrovnik and the Emergency Institute of Dubrovacko-Neretvanska County, as well as being a member of civil defence headquarters, scientific committees, Croatian trauma associations, medical chambers, and international military surgery networks. He serves on the editorial board of Acta Chirurgica Croatica and is an active lecturer at the Military School “Ban Josip Jelačić” and the Ambroise Paré International Military Surgery Forum. His organisational leadership includes managing large-scale EU-funded hospital projects focusing on emergency care, trauma management, and modernisation of healthcare infrastructure, with budgets exceeding €10 million. Prof. Bekic has been recognised with awards such as the Croatian Surgery Society’s 2nd Award (2007) and has contributed extensively to scientific literature, with 20 published documents, 115 citations, and an h-index of 5, reflecting his influence in trauma surgery, orthopaedics, and hospital emergency preparedness. His work integrates clinical expertise, academic advancement, strategic healthcare leadership, and cross-border medical collaboration, positioning him as a leading figure in trauma and orthopaedic surgery in Croatia and the wider region.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Bekic, M., Bagavac, P., Sesic, N., Kulić, M., & Bekic, A. (2025). The effect of strain rate on bone fragility and clinical applications. Bioengineering, 12(12), 1295.

Kulic, M., Bagavac, P., Bekic, M., & Krstulovic-Opara, L. (2024). Ex vivo biomechanical bone testing of pig femur as an experimental model. Bioengineering, 11(6), 572.

Milos, M., Vujnović, N., Bekic, M., Lojpur, J., Moretti, M., Kirin, I., & Roth, A. (2022). Retrograde calcaneo-talo-tibial nail, subtalar arthrodesis and fibula transposition in the treatment of traumatic bone and articulatory defect of the distal tibia and talocrural joint: A case report. Trauma Case Reports, 39, 100734.

Vidović, D., Bencic, I., Cuti, T., Bakota, B., Bekic, M., Dobric, I., Sabalic, S., & Blazevic, D. (2021). Surgical treatment of scapular fractures: Results and complications. Injury, 52(1), 33–38.

Ostojić, M., Bulj, Z., Kordić, D., Sunjic, D., Buntic, A., Juka, K., Bliznac, I., Topic, A., Ostojic, Z., Rotim, K., et al. (2019). Establishment of the bone tissue bank at Mostar University Clinical Hospital. Acta Clinica Croatica, 58(4), 565–575.

Vidovic, D., Bencic, I., Cuti, T., Gajski, D., Cengic, T., Bekic, M., Zovak, M., Sabalic, S., & Blazevic, D. (2019). Treatment of humeral shaft fractures: Antegrade interlocking intramedullary nailing with additional interlocking neutralization screws through fracture site. Acta Clinica Croatica, 58(4), 639–648.

Vidovic, D., Elabjer, E., Muškardin, I. V. A., Milosevic, M., Bekic, M., & Bakota, B. (2017). Posterior fragment in ankle fractures: Anteroposterior vs posteroanterior fixation. Injury, 48(S6), S43.

Dr. Joshua Baldino | Orthopedics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Joshua Baldino | Orthopedics | Best Researcher Award

University of Connecticut Health Center, United States.

Dr. Joshua Baruch Baldino is a distinguished PharmD and MD with expertise in biomechanics, orthobiologics, and clinical research. He is affiliated with the University of Connecticut Health Center and has made significant contributions to the field of orthopedics, particularly in trauma and arthroplasty in periarticular injuries. With over 26 journal publications, Dr. Baldino has been actively involved in research and has designed and implemented two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) during medical school. He will soon undertake a fellowship in traumaplasty following his residency.

Profile

Scopus
Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Joshua B. Baldino holds dual professional degrees in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Doctor of Medicine (MD), demonstrating his strong foundation in both pharmaceutical sciences and clinical medicine. His expertise bridges the gap between drug therapy, patient care, and surgical interventions, enabling a comprehensive approach to healthcare. With this diverse educational background, Dr. Baldino has contributed significantly to biomechanics, orthobiologics, and orthopedic trauma research, focusing on enhancing treatment outcomes for musculoskeletal injuries and surgical procedures.

💼 Experience

Dr. Joshua B. Baldino is a dedicated physician and researcher at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where he actively contributes to advancements in orthopedics and musculoskeletal health. As a clinical researcher, he specializes in biomechanics, orthobiologics, and periarticular trauma, focusing on improving surgical techniques and patient outcomes. During his medical training, he demonstrated a strong commitment to evidence-based medicine by designing and implementing two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), showcasing his ability to conduct high-quality clinical research. His work bridges the gap between scientific innovation and real-world patient care in orthopedic surgery.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Baldino’s research focuses on:

Biomechanics & Orthobiologics 🏥

Periarticular Trauma & Arthroplasty 💉

Clinical Studies in Orthopedics ⚕️

🏆 Awards & Memberships

Professional Membership: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

📚 Selected Publications

Determination of a Safe Zone for Ischial Screw Placement in Total Hip Arthroplasty

📖 Journal: The Journal of Arthroplasty
📅 Publication Date: January 2024
👥 Contributors: Nicholas J. Bellas, David Baltrusaitis, Barrett B. Torre, Joshua B. Baldino, Tannaz I. Sedghi, Daniel E. Marrero, Olga Solovyova

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with a Fibrin Scaffold Containing Growth Factors and Autologous Progenitor Cells Derived From Humeral cBMA Improves Clinical Outcomes in High-Risk Patients

📖 Journal: Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation
📅 Publication Date: October 2022
👥 Contributors: Alexander Otto, Matthew R. LeVasseur, Joshua B. Baldino, Lukas N. Muench, Nicholas Bellas, Colin Uyeki, Maxwell T. Trudeau, Michael R. Mancini, Mary Beth R. McCarthy, Augustus D. Mazzocca

Semitendinosus vs Gracilis Grafts With 1- vs 2-Tunnel Techniques for Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Study

📖 Journal: The American Journal of Sports Medicine
📅 Publication Date: June 2022
👥 Contributors: Alexander Otto, Jamie L. Friedman, Lauren K. Szolomayer, Joshua B. Baldino, Elifho Obopilwe, Mark P. Cote, Augustus D. Mazzocca, Robert A. Arciero

All-Suture Anchor and Unicortical Button Show Comparable Biomechanical Properties for Onlay Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis

📖 Journal: JSES International
📅 Publication Date: December 2020
👥 Contributors: Alexander Otto, Sebastian Siebenlist, Joshua B. Baldino, Matthew Murphy, Lukas N. Muench, Julian Mehl, Elifho Obopilwe, Mark P. Cote, Andreas B. Imhoff, Augustus D. Mazzocca

Subacromial Bursa–Derived Cells Demonstrate High Proliferation Potential Regardless of Patient Demographics and Rotator Cuff Tear Characteristics

📖 Journal: Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery
📅 Publication Date: November 2020
👥 Contributors: Lukas N. Muench, Joshua B. Baldino, Daniel P. Berthold, Cameron Kia, Amir Lebaschi, Mark P. Cote, Mary Beth McCarthy, Augustus D. Mazzocca