Valdis Zatlers was elected as a President of Latvia for one term from 2007 until 2011. Valdis Zatlers is a NGIC member.
During the late 80s and early 90s, he was an active member of the Popular Front of Latvia, a political organisation that led to regaining the independence of Latvia, and also served as a member of its council. In addition to this, Mr Zatlers took part in the meeting of the three national movements of the Baltic states that later gathered people for the history-changing act – The Baltic Way.
His educational background includes graduating from the Riga Institute of Medicine in 1979 as well as professional orthopaedic training at Yale and Syracuse Universities in 1991. After completing his medical studies, Mr Zatlers became a traumatologist-orthopedist (1979-1985). Mr Zatlers worked as a doctor in Chernobyl following the failure of the nuclear power plant in 1986. Later on, his career in medicine led him to other opportunities and leadership roles, including serving as Head of the Traumatology Department (1985-94) at the 2nd Hospital of Riga, becoming the Director and Chairman of the Board of the State Hospital of Traumatology and Orthopedics (1994-2007), and being appointed President of the Association of Traumatologists and Orthopedists in Latvia (2003-2008).
After his presidency, President Zatlers formed a political party and ministered as deputy at the Parliament of Latvia (Saeima), where he served on and chaired the National Security Committee.
After retiring, Mr Zatlers began working on his first book Kas Es Esmu (Who am I) which was first published in March 2015 and has been printed in two languages – Latvian and Russian.
President Zatlers has received several recognitions for his work including the Commander of the Order of Three Stars; the Order of Viesturs, First Class; and the Cross of Recognition, First Class. In 1993, Mr Zatlers received a prize from the International Arthroscopy Association for the largest contribution to the development of arthroscopy in emerging countries.
He remains active in both local and international affairs.
