Born in 1953. Prague. Faculty of General Medicine of Charles University, graduated in 1978. Physician in Prague Hospitals, 1979-1992. Certificate in Executive Health Care Management Wharton University, USA. Master of Business Administration Sheffield Hallam University, 1997. Director General of Vinohrady University Hospital, 1990-1997. Minister Of Health, 1998. Member of the Senate of Parliament of the Czech Republic, 1998-2004. Chairperson for the Senate’s Health and Social Policy Committee 2000-2002. Member of the permanent delegation of the Czech Parliament to the WEU - temporary assembly for European security and defence. President of the European Movement in the Czech Republic, 2000-2002. Vice-President of KDU-ČSL, 2001-2003. Vice-President of the IMCO Commitee in 2004-2009, the 1st Vice-President in 2007-2009. Charles University Jubilee Medal, 1998.European of the Year 2006. MEP since 2004.