Дома /

Биографија

Key position related experience and competencies:

  • Endocrinologist at University Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Skopje, and Associate Professor at Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Goce Delcev Stip, Republic of North Macedonia;
  • Key role in the founding of National e-Health System module related to Diabetes Care, covering the total population of the country across all healthcare levels;
  • Instituting and serving as a member of the first National Diabetes Committee (2015-2017), responsible for development of the National Diabetes Plan, the National Diabetes Care Guidelines and monitoring the implementation of policies and guidelines;
  • Experience in providing sustainable diabetes care, diabetes prevention, early detection and treatment of diabetes and its complications, as explained in my recent book - Managing Diabetes in Low Income Countries – Providing Sustainable Diabetes Care with Limited Resources, 2021. Springer; ISBN: 978-3-030-51468-6;
  • Published the State-of-the-Art article on Diabetes Care in the Republic of Macedonia: Challenges and Opportunities, first comprehensive overview of the situation with diabetes in the Republic of North Macedonia, estimated to have one of the highest diabetes prevalence in Europe;
  • Published the article First stratified diabetes prevalence data for Republic of Macedonia derived from the National e-Health System, first analysis of stratified diabetes prevalence data from the National e-Health System, as well as the First Metabolic Control Results in Insulin-Treated Diabetes Patients from Republic of Macedonia Derived from National e-Health System;
  • National Representative of EPMA (European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Medicine) for diabetes, member of Presidency of the National Scientific Association of Endocrinologists and Diabetologists, and President of Scientific Committee of National Diabetes Days;
  • Member of Editorial Board of EPMA Journal (Sep-22 to date)
  • Winner of the Donnell D. Etzwiler International Scholar Award 2020 by International Diabetes Center, Minneapolis, MN; and first winner of the Prize for Best published article in the Journal of Doctor’s Chamber of Macedonia in 2014 (Cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with the model of United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study);
  • Author and Project Manager of the Regional Project awarded Research grant by the International Diabetes Federation, titled: Estimation of Stratified Total Diabetes & Pre-Diabetes Prevalence in Western Balkan Countries (2019–ongoing);
  • Invited to lecture at numerous domestic and international diabetes medical events (IDF Congress 2019, Busan, Korea, IDF Congress 2022 Lisbon, Portugal, EPMA World Congress 2013, Brussels; 2015 Bonn; 2019 Plzen; 2021 (Virtual), National Diabetes Congresses, National Diabetes Days, etc).

Positions and Honors

  • Appointed by the Minister of Health as President of the National Scientific Committee for temporary and permanent contraindications and post-vaccine complications after immunization with vaccines against COVID-19 (02/2022–to date)
    • Recognition by the Doctor’s Chamber of Macedonia for special contribution and engagement in dealing with the pandemics caused by the COVID-19 virus (06/2021)
    • Associate Professor, University Goce Delcev, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Stip professorship covering undergraduate and postgraduate students (residents, fellows, PhD candidates) (01/2021–to date)
    • Winner of Donnell D. Etzwiler International Scholar Award by International Diabetes Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2020.
    • Member of Presidency of the National Scientific Association of Endocrinologists and Diabetologists (09/2018–to date), President of Scientific Committee of National Diabetes Days (2019-2020)
    • Sub-Specialist in Endocrinology (03/2016-03/2018)
    • Member of the first National Diabetes Committee (02/2015-07/2017)
    • Medical Advisor to the Minister of Health (07/2012-06/2016), responsible for numerous national projects, including development of National e-Health System (MojTermin) –covering all healthcare institutions across all three levels of healthcare in the country; creation and implementation of National e-Health System module related to diabetes care; WHO NCD Local Expert and IDF National Contact Person; EHCI scoring - achieving most remarkable advance in the EHCI scoring of any country in the history of the Index, from 27th to 16th place in one year (2014); responsible for rational use of medicines; introduction of neonatal cardio-surgery; introduction of strategic planning and Balanced Scorecard in public healthcare institutions (PHIs); introduction of US-MK Exchange Physician Program; President of National Council for Specialties / Sub-Specialties; founding of first National Medical Simulation Center; introduction of Pay for Performance in PHIs, introduction of Quality Indicators in PHIs; Law on Medical Studies and Continuous Medical Education; Guidelines on Hospital Culture; Training and Education of medical staff in renowned international hospital systems, etc.
    • Assistant Professor (Docent), University Goce Delcev, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Stip (01/2016–12/2020)
    • University Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia (06/2016–to date)
    • First winner of the Prize for Best published article in Vox Medici (Journal of Doctor’s Chamber of Macedonia - Cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with the model of United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) (06/2014)
    • Doctor of Medical Sciences (PhD / Dr. Sci.Med.) (09/2011-04/2014)
    • Teaching Assistant, University Goce Delcev, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Stip (09/2013–12/2015)
    • National Representative of EPMA for diabetes (European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Medicine) (2013–to date)
    • Member of DESG (Diabetes Education Study Group) within EASD (European Association for Study of Diabetes) (2012–to date), Membership of ADA (American Diabetes Association)
    • Specialist in Internal Medicine (09/2004-01/2009)
    • Master of Medical Sciences (Mr.Sci.Med.) (score 10 of 10) (09/2001-06/2007)
    • Doctor of Medicine (MD degree) (score 9.7 of 10, second highest in generation) (09/1993-07/1999)
    • Awarded as ‘Student of Generation 1989-1993’, Rade Jovceski Korcagin Skopje High School (09/1989-06/1993)

Other Experience

  • University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition; Veteran Affairs Healthcare System, Baltimore, MD, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology (02/2017)
  • University Clinic of Emergency Internal Medicine and Toxicology, Skopje (01/2014–05/2016)
  • Management of COVID-19 patients in national COVID-19 centers (2020-2021)
  • Participation in numerous clinical studies as Investigator EFC14875 (The SCORED Trial) - A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Multicenter Study to Demonstrate the Effects of Sotagliflozin on Cardiovascular and Renal Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Moderately Impaired Renal Function; LPS15017 (Global Premix) - A multi-center open-label parallel group randomized controlled trial to compare iGlarLixi versus premixed insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes who have failed to achieve glycemic control with basal insulin and oral antidiabetic agents; Efficacy of pregabalin and duloxetine in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN): the effect of pain on cognitive function, sleep and quality of life (BLOSSOM) - Randomized, open-label, prospective, international, multi-center clinical trial, etc
  • Novo Nordisk Macedonia - Regional Medical Advisor, Local Trial Manager for global clinical studies, Protocol Author/Study director of observational studies, Project and Marketing management, Member of numerous Global and Regional Boards (11/2001-10/2011)
  • Army of Republic of Macedonia (01/2001–10/2001)
  • Alkaloid AD Skopje -  Invited as one of the best medical students in the leading domestic pharmaceutical company, activities included Project Management, Regulatory Affairs, Protocol author of post-marketing Studies (09/1999–01/2001)
  • Participation in the joint project of UNHCR and 'Action Against Hunger' assessing the living conditions of Kosovo refugees and nutritional status of their children, Refugee camps, MK  (05/1999–06/1999)
  • Internship at the Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology (Medical Candidate), Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, FI (08/1998)
  • Voluntary work with mentally disabled children and elderly, Mariaberg, DE (08/1997)
  • Internship at the Department of Cardiology (Medical Candidate), Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, TR (07/1997)

 Languages

  • English
  • German
  • Southern Slavic languages
  • Albanian (basic)

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Smokovski I. Managing Diabetes in Low Income Countries – Providing Sustainable Diabetes Care with Limited Resources, 2021 (Book). Springer; ISBN: 978-3-030-51468-6.
  • Bradley AS, Banach M, Alvarado N, Smokovski I, Bhaskar MMS. Prevalence and impact of diabetes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Diabetes. 2021 Dec 23. doi: 10.1111/1753-0407.13243.
  • Bradley AS, Smokovski I, Bhaskar MMS. Impact of diabetes on clinical and safety outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving reperfusion therapy: A meta-analysis. [published online as ahead of print on February 25, 2022] Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022. doi:10.17219/acem/146273.
  • Smokovski I, Sadikario S, Cibisev A. National eHealth System in Republic of North Macedonia - Platform for Preventive, Predictive and Personalized Metabolic Control in Diabetes Patients. EPMA J 2020; 11 (Suppl 1):s13-s16.
  • Petkovska L, Brezovska-Kavrakova J, Petronijevik Z, Smokovski I, Zafirova B. High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis In Severe Deliberate Poisoning With Metformin – Successful Treatment With 2.5-Hour Conventional Hemodialysis. JMS 2020; 3(1):79-84.
  • Behnke A, Bitoska I, Bozinovska N, Jovanovska MS, Milenkovic T, Smokovski I. Severe Hyponatremia Following Rhabdomyolysis And Acute Renal Failure In A Young Patient With Undiagnosed Hypothyroidism. AACE 29th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress, e-poster, Washington, DC, 7-10 May, 2020. 
  • Smokovski I. Self-monitoring as an important tool in preventing diabetes complications – Evidence from the real world. IDF Congress, 2-6 Dec 2019, Busan, Korea.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T. First Metabolic Control Results in Insulin-Treated Diabetes Patients from Republic of Macedonia Derived from National e-Health System. Diabetes 2019; 68 (Suppl 1): 2393-PUB.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T, Nam H Cho. First stratified diabetes prevalence data for Republic of Macedonia derived from the National e-Health System. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2018; 143:179-183.
  • Smokovski I, Risteski M, Polivka J, Zubor P, Konieczka K, Costigliola V, Golubnitschaja O. Postmenopausal breast cancer: European challenge and innovative concepts. EPMA J, 2017: 30(8):159-169. 
  • Milenkovic T, Smokovski I, Bozhinovska N, Rahelic D, Jovanovska Misevska S, Bitovska Mileva I, Ahmeti I.  Effects of structured diabetes education program on diabetes knowledge and metabolic control in insulin-treated diabetes patients from the Republic of Macedonia. Endocrine Oncology and Metabolism 2017; DOI:10.21040/eom/2017.3.1.1.
  • Petkovska L. Chibishev A. Smokovski I, Petronijevic Z, Ivanovska-Zafirovska B, Antova E, Zafirovska B. Prevalence for pre-diabetes and diabetes after kidney transplantation. Physioacta 2017; 11(1): 1-11.
  • National Diabetes Committee of Republic of Macedonia: Milenkovic T, Kocova M, Krstevska B, Pemovska G, Smokovski I. Comment on Publications from OpT2mise Study. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics 2016; 18(7):1-2.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T. National eHealth system – platform for preventive, predictive and personalized diabetes care. EPMA Journal. 2016; 7(Suppl 1):A70.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T, Trapp C, Mitov A. Diabetes Care in Republic of Macedonia: Challenges and Opportunities. Annals of Global Health 2015; 81(6): 792-802.
  • Smokovski I. The challenge of diabetes treatment in Macedonia. EPMA J 2014, 5 (Suppl 1):A68.
  • Smokovski I. Higher Observed than Predicted Risk for Coronary Artery Disease with UKPDS model in Macedonian Type 2 Diabetes Patients, 3th Annual World Congress of Diabetes, 13-16 Nov 2014; Haikou, Hainan, China.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T. Cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with the model of United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study. Vox Medici 2013; 79:258-261.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T. Risk assessment of cardiovascular mortality in Macedonian type 2 diabetes patients based on DECODE model. Prilozi, MANU Odd.med.nauki (Contributions, MASA Sec.Med.Sci.) 2013; 34(1):109-114.
  • Smokovski I, Milenkovic T. Use of absolute risk versus single risk factors for coronary artery disease in patients with type diabetes mellitus. Physioacta 2013; 7(2):1-8.

Recent research

Author and Project Manager of the Regional Project involving 6 countries awarded International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Grant, titled: Estimation of Stratified Total Diabetes & Pre-Diabetes Prevalence in Western Balkan Countries (2019 – ongoing).

  • Author of the National Project, titled: First stratified diabetes prevalence data for Republic of Macedonia derived from the National e-Health System (2015-2018) (published).
  • Author of the National Project, titled: First Metabolic Control Results in Insulin-Treated Diabetes Patients from Republic of Macedonia Derived from National e-Health System (2017 – 2018) (abstract published at ADA 2019)
  • Author of the National Project, titled: National prevalence of heart failure in type 2 diabetes patients derived from the National e-Health System and their access to treatment with SGLT2 Inhibitors or GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (2017 – 2018, oral presentation National Congress of Cardiology, Oct-2019).
  • Author of the European Project, titled: Postmenopausal breast cancer: European challenge and innovative concepts (2016-2017) (published).