Recognition for the generosity of entrepreneurs in Emilia

On Saturday, November 25, the Gala Dinner of the Modena ARTS Foundation (Academy for Robotic and Transplant Surgery) took place at the Palazzo Ducale in Modena to celebrate the donation of a robotic surgical console for the operating block of the University Hospital of Modena Policlinico.

The fundraising project was initiated in December 2022 during the event marking the first year of the Foundation's establishment, presided over by Prof. Fabrizio Di Benedetto. Throughout 2023, several local entrepreneurs supported the Foundation's project for the benefit of the University Hospital and the community. The project culminated in the installation of the console on September 28, 2023, at the operating block of the Modena Policlinico.

The Modena ARTS Foundation coordinated a fundraising campaign that began in December 2022 during the first-year event of the foundation, sponsored by the Pavarotti Foundation. During this event, a charity auction of paintings donated by renowned artists took place. The collaboration of entrepreneurs from Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Parma, along with companies such as Transmec, Interacciai, Montecchi SPA, FinMasi, Trancerie Emiliane, Imal Group, Sfem Italia, Com.Int.El., Navy Group, and the Banco di San Geminiano e San Prospero Foundation, allowed the ambitious project of acquiring the robotic console to be realised within a year.

Equipping the surgical team with a second console contributes to faster and safer training for young surgeons. Thanks to a configuration similar to that of a driving school, the trainee surgeon performs the procedure alongside the more experienced surgeon, who can control their movements and take full control at any time. The donated console is also equipped with a simulator that allows young surgeons to practise before surgeries and refine their technical skills.

The evening, hosted by Federica Galli of TRC in the splendid setting of the Military Academy of Modena, included the award ceremony for the entrepreneurs who contributed to this extraordinary act of generosity. The master lecture was delivered by Prof. Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, an internationally renowned scientist in the field of computer and electronic engineering, who spoke about the importance of technological development and the approach to innovations such as artificial intelligence. Finally, Prof. Fabrizio Di Benedetto and Prof. Stefano Di Sandro presented the progress and results achieved by the Transplant Centre of Modena in recent years.

"I want to thank everyone who supported us on this journey," declared Prof. Fabrizio Di Benedetto, director of Oncological, Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, and Liver Transplants at the University Hospital of Modena and Full Professor at UniMoRe. "The foundation's activity is made possible by the passion of Emilio Mazzoli, the generosity of entrepreneurs from Emilia-Romagna, and all those who contributed with a donation to the robotic console project, demonstrating their concern for the quality of healthcare and education. Modena ARTS Foundation's future goals will continue to support young medical students with scholarships, promote the development of advanced technologies integrated with the robotic platform, and assist patients and their families. There are still many patients who travel up and down Italy for treatment, facing significant expenses, or who, due to these costs, forgo accessing reference centres like ours. I also thank the entire surgical, anesthesiological, medical, and nursing staff of the Transplant Centre for their daily passion and dedication to patient care."

The event also featured speeches by the General Director of the University Hospital of Modena, Dr. Claudio Vagnini, the Magnificent Rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Prof. Carlo Adolfo Porro, and the Mayor of Modena, Giancarlo Muzzarelli.