On April 17, 2026, during the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Prague, Czech Republic, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) awarded the Committee of National Societies (CNS) Medal to Prof. Dr Radmila Matijević, MD, PhD, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.

The CNS Medal is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to bone health advocacy, alongside significant contributions to the IOF Committee of National Societies through active participation and by strengthening IOF’s outreach at the national level.

Dr Famida Jiwa, Chair of the CNS, stated: “We are delighted to present this year’s CNS Medal to Radmila Matijević. A committed member of the IOF global community and an elected representative on the IOF Board for the European region, she has shown exceptional dedication to advancing bone health. Through her work with the Association of Sports Traumatology & Arthroscopic of Serbia (ASTAS), a CNS member society, she has made important contributions to professional education and public awareness of osteoporosis in Serbia and the wider Balkan region. Her efforts have helped improve awareness, diagnosis, and management of musculoskeletal conditions, and her active involvement in international collaborations continues to strengthen our shared mission.”

The IOF Committee of National Societies comprises more than 340 patient and medical organizations working in the field of bone health, as well as related areas such as women’s health and patient advocacy. It represents the world’s largest network of national and regional organizations dedicated to osteoporosis and musculoskeletal disorders. CNS member societies play a crucial role in raising awareness and improving patient care at the national level, while supporting the local implementation of IOF campaigns and prevention strategies worldwide.

Dr Matijević added, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for this wonderful recognition. I see this award not only as a personal honour, but also as a reflection of the collective efforts, collaboration, and shared commitment of the remarkable IOF community. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues, and I am sincerely grateful for the spirit of teamwork that continues to drive our common mission forward.”

About Prof. Dr Radmila Matijević, MD, PhD

Radmila Matijević is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, and a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a subspecialty in Rheumatology. She is also affiliated with the University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, where she serves as the Head of the DXA Unit and Early Rehabilitation at the Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, and has been actively involved in clinical practice, research, and education for more than two decades.

Her academic and professional work is primarily focused on bone metabolism, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, rare diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders. Over the years, she has made significant contributions to improving awareness, diagnosis, and management of these conditions in Serbia and the wider Balkan region. She has been actively involved in international collaborations and initiatives, including participation in the development and implementation of the FRAX tool for Serbia.

Prof. Matijević completed her medical degree at the University of Novi Sad, followed by specialisation in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and subspecialisation in Rheumatology. She obtained her PhD in Medical Sciences in 2014. Her academic career progressed from assistant to professor, with extensive teaching experience across undergraduate and postgraduate studies in medical rehabilitation, rheumatology, and related disciplines. She has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications in high-impact international journals and has participated in multiple national and international research projects. Her work has been recognised through several awards for excellence in both scientific research and teaching. In addition, she has organised numerous international conferences and contributed significantly to professional education in the field of musculoskeletal health. Prof. Matijević is a founding Board member of ASTAS, and an active member of several leading national and international professional organisations, including ESCEO, IOF, WHO working groups, and EULAR. She also serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious scientific journals. In addition to her academic and clinical roles, she is the Editor-in-Chief of Medicinski Pregled, a leading national medical journal, and is a member of the editorial board of the ACER Journal.

Beyond her professional career, she has a strong interest in nature and creative pursuits. She is an amateur gardener and the responsible human of 3 mongrel dogs and 4 cats who make life more fun for her and her family.

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World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO Prague 2026)

Held jointly by IOF and ESCEO, the Congress takes place in Prague, Czech Republic, April 16-19, 2026. WCO-IOF-ESCEO is the world’s largest annual forum for the presentation of clinical research and new advances in the prevention and management of bone, muscle, and joint disorders, including skeletal rare disorders, sarcopenia, and frailty. For complete information, visit www.wco-iof-esceo.org  #OsteoCongress

About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Its members — including committees of leading scientific researchers and 349 patient, medical, and research organizations across 152 countries — work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global healthcare priority.
www.osteoporosis.foundation   @iofbonehealth