The professional association that today represents medical laboratory professionals in the Republic of Croatia was founded in 1953 by Professor Bariša Manenica, through the unification of two proffessions – laboratory and sanitary. Professor Manenica also launched the association's official publication, the journal “Naše zdravlje” (eng. "Our Health").
In the early days of the Association’s work, the following colleagues actively contributed: Ivica Prosoli, Milica Spicer, Pero Pirker, Maja Vnuk, Valent Vnuk, Zora Štingl, Franjo Jurković, Josip Martin, and Boris Bregant. From 1984, they were joined by Đurđica Jurin, Jasna Matić, Biserka Bratoš, Ljerka Slade-Šilović, Vesna Podolšek, Zdenka Đelošević, and Iva Pašalić.
Thanks to the dedicated work of these individuals, the High School for Health Technicians was established in 1958 by Prof. Tanodi, Prof. Črepinko, Prof. Ruždić, and Prim. Tomašić in Medvedgradska Street in Zagreb. This later evolved into the Health Education Center and ultimately the present-day Health School.
Recognizing the need for higher-level education, in 1966 the College for Nurses and Health Technicians was established in Mlinarska Street in Zagreb, providing training for various health professions (nursing, laboratory diagnostics, sanitary services, radiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy). In 1984, the school was renamed the Higher Medical School, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb.
In 1985, the Association conducted a systematic review of job descriptions and classifications in laboratory diagnostics to update the national Job Classification System across medical disciplines.
In 1986, the Association successfully contributed to updating professional titles within the sixth education level through the Health Sector Advisory Board. This decision was formally implemented at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb in July 1990.
Professional work was carried out through expert sections of the Association, with documented proceedings from relevant professional gatherings (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, and 2003).
In 1996, the Higher Medical School became independent from the Faculty of Medicine and was renamed the College of Health Sciences, which allowed the transition of all programs to a three-year structure starting from the academic year 1999/2000.
Leaders of the laboratory diagnostics program included Dipl. Eng. Dušanka Mikac-Dević and Prof. Ksenija Kljaić, who made a significant contribution to enhancing the quality of teaching in collaboration with the Association and its secretary Đurđica Jurin, as well as program coordinator Biserka Bratoš. Together, they introduced key morphological subjects into the curriculum such as Histology with Practical Exercises and Techniques in Histopathology, thanks to efforts by Jasna Matić and Đurđica Jurin, founders of the Association’s Histopathology Section. Later leadership included Prof. Melita Nakić and program coordinator Ljerka Slade-Šilović.
Since December 2002, a newly elected Management Board led by President Jasna Matić, Vice-President Mirjana Stupnišek, and Supervisory Board President Đurđica Jurin – with Sanja Kuštreba joining as Secretary in June 2003 – has continually worked to formalize and implement legal and regulatory standards governing the Association’s operation.
After the sanitary sector formed a separate association, the legacy of the joint organization HUMSIT was carried forward under a new name: CALM – Croatian Association of Laboratory Medicine (cro: HULM – Hrvatska udruga laboratorijske medicine), which the Association still bears today.
Following months of dedicated work, negotiations, and lobbying, the Croatian Chamber of Health Proffessionals was officially established in February 2010 as an independent professional body with legal status and public authority. The founding decision was adopted in January 2010, and the Constituent Assembly held on 3 February 2010.
Founding members, alongside the Ministry of Health, included: the Croatian Association of Laboratory Medicine, the Croatian Sanitary Association, the Croatian Society of Medical Radiology Engineers, and the Croatian Association of Occupational Therapists. CALM was represented by then-president Jasna Matić and secretary Sanja Kuštreba.
The Assembly elected the members of the Chamber’s Presidency and Council, and the first president of the Croatian Chamber of Health Proffessionals was Jasna Matić.
Keeping pace with developments in laboratory science education and ongoing advancements in medicine, the University of Osijek – Josip Juraj Strossmayer University – launched undergraduate and graduate university programs in medical laboratory diagnostics in the 2010/2011 academic year, enabling crucial progress in postgraduate education.
In 2014, Marica Semijalac assumed the role of CALM President, with Jasna Matić as Vice-President and Neven Sučić as Secretary. From 2022 onward, the leadership remains: President – Marica Semijalac, Vice-President – Jelena Lozić Erent, and Secretary – Neven Sučić.
In 2023, CALM established two new societies: the Society of Histotechnologists and Cytotechnologists and the Society of Masters in Medical Laboratory Diagnostics.
All individuals serving in official capacities have consistently demonstrated great enthusiasm, dedication, and professional expertise in advancing the development, recognition, and working conditions of medical laboratory professionals across all levels of education.