Dott. Ilja Gardi MD Cardiologist

Dr. Ilja Gardi is a cardiologist and healthcare manager with over 40 years of experience in clinical practice, cardiovascular diagnostics, and health system reform in Italy and internationally.

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About Dr.Ilija Gardi​

Dr. Ilja Gardi is a cardiologist and healthcare manager with over 40 years of experience in cardiovascular medicine, clinical governance, and strategic planning in healthcare systems. He has held leadership roles in both public hospitals and international medical foundations, and currently serves as Scientific Director at MEGAH and Head of Cardiovascular Diagnostics at GVM Care & Research Network.

ACADEMIC EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

    • 1977–1978: Degree in Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, after 3 years of internship at the Medical Clinic 1, University Hospital S. Orsola-Bologna

    • 1978/79: Professional qualification diploma in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna and admission to the Order of Physicians and Surgeons

    • 1981/82: Postgraduate specialization diploma in “Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology,” University of Chieti

    • 1984/85: Specialization diploma in “Cardiovascular Diseases,” University of Modena

    • 1986/87: Assistant in the Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Division, Riuniti Hospitals of Bergamo – focused on congenital heart diseases and pediatric cardiac surgery

    • 1993/94: Master in “Advanced Life Support” for instructor in Basic Life Support, cardiopulmonary and intensive care, Technion University, Haifa-Israel

    • Continuous training until 2020 in clinical governance and complex systems

  • 1997: Co-author of the Hub & Spoke strategic planning model for healthcare services, adopted by Emilia-Romagna Region

  • 1998–99: Consultant for the drafting of Law 229/1999 (Ter Reform) and National Health Plan

  • 2003: Sole author of the Strategic Plan for IME (Italian Government Foundation), funded and approved

  • 2015: Co-author of the book “Horizontal Healthcare”, Franco Angeli publisher

  • 2016–2018: Co-author and updater of the Cardiovascular Disease Strategic Plan for GVM Care & Research

  • 2020: Copyright deposit on an innovative cardiovascular risk prediction methodology

  • 2020–2021: Editor of “New World after the Covid War”, Academia

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (MEDICAL PRACTICE)

  • 1979: Hospital practical training in General Medicine, General Hospital Maggiore-Bologna – Emergency Medical Service

  • 1981: Medical Assistant, Emergency Department, Rimini Hospital, USL No. 40

  • 1982–1985: Medical Assistant, General Medicine Department including Cardiology, USL No. 23 Imola

  • 1986–1994: Co-responsible Cardiologist, Imola Hospital, responsible for “Cardiac Imaging Diagnosis”

  • 1994–1997: Head of Hemodynamics and Coronary Angiography, private hospitals (VTH & MCH – GVM group) – performed over 5,000 cardiac catheterization procedures

  • 1994–1996: Hemodynamics at San Donato Milanese Hospital (University of Milan) – over 1,500 complex interventions, 2,000+ advanced cardiovascular diagnostics (CT, MRI, Echo)

  • 1996: Head Cardiologist, Imola Hospital

  • 1997: Director of Emergency Department, AUSL Imola – DEA Bologna South

  • 2011: Chief Cardiologist and Director, CV Department GVM – MCH Italy; international development lead, GVM Group

  • From 2016: Head of CV Diagnostics, MCH – development of AI in predictive precision cardiovascular medicine

  • 2018: Author and IP holder of pilot project for cardiovascular predictive model and database

  • 2019: Co-author and IP holder of ML-based diagnostic prediction model for cardiovascular events

  • 2020: Head of High-Tech Cardio-diagnostics for GVM Care & Research network

  • 2023: Head of Cardiovascular Diagnostic Excellence & Predictive Medicine Tech Center, Lucia Magnani Health Clinic

  • 2024: Scientific Director, Megah

MANAGERIAL EDUCATION (Business Administration)

  • 1970/71: High School Diploma in Accounting and Management, ITC “L. Paolini”, Imola

  • 1994: Course in “Healthcare Services Business Administration”, Bocconi University, Milan

  • 1995: Course in “Healthcare Management”, ANMCO Regional Division – Emilia Romagna

  • 1995: Course in “Clinical Department Reorganization”, Bocconi University

  • 1995–1996: Master in “Healthcare Services Business Administration” – promoted by Emilia-Romagna Region and Montreal University

  • 1996: Internship at Health Administration Dept, Montreal University (Canada)

  • 1997: Workshop on “Hospital Department Organization”, SDA Bocconi School of Management

  • 1999: Master in “Healthcare Economics, Ethics and Management”, Ce.DIS – Rome

  • 2009: Course in “Strategic Planning of Complex Healthcare Systems”, Bocconi University

  • 2012–2022: Speaker and participant in strategic planning seminars for complex systems

MANAGERIAL ROLES & EXPERIENCES

  • 1996: Coordinator of 1996–2000 Regional Health Plan (Hub & Spoke model) – Emilia Romagna Region

  • 1998/1999: Special Commissioner, San Salvatore Hospital, Pesaro – Marche Regional Government

  • 1999–2003: General Director, San Salvatore Hospital – managed €180M annual budget, €110M investment plan

  • 2003–2021: Scientific Coordinator & Project Manager – Spin-out between Bologna University & Confindustria for EU-funded medical R&D

  • 2003–2010: Commissioner, IME Foundation – medical technology & knowledge transfer

  • 2010–2012: VP & CEO, MedChild Foundation – international biomedical R&D cooperation

  • Since 2011: Senior Cardiologist and Director of International Dept., GVM Care & Research

  • Since 2020: Sole Director, PdV Ricerca e Sviluppo srl – Innovative Startup

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS MANAGED (2003–2021)

  • Lebanon: Development of public university medical facilities

  • Syria: Creation of pediatric centers, Damascus University & Military Hospital

  • Palestine–Israel–Italy: Tri-national collaboration for treatment, training & research

  • Egypt: Pediatric hospital high-specialization transfer at Cairo University

  • UAE (Dubai): Pediatric hematology project, integrated with Harvard University – Dubai Health Care City

  • Maldives: Genetic study and training with University of Sydney

  • Iraq: National Health System reorganization, university clinics & hospital rebuilding

  • 2008: Sole Italian speaker at International Conference, NIH Washington DC – Iraq reconstruction

  • 2009: Coordinator at Iraq Health Ministry Workshop, Baghdad

  • 2011–2015: Consultant for Iraqi and Kurdistan Ministers of Health for healthcare system rebuilding

  • Since 2010: President, EIFEC (Export Compliance Standards Organization) – www.eifec.org