Level II Master’s Degree in Regenerative Medicine for the Musculoskeletal System at Humanitas University

On May 13th, the first Master’s degree in Regenerative Medicine for the musculoskeletal system at Humanitas University, lasting 18 months, was concluded with a virtual ceremony.

This is only one of the many important educational opportunities recently activated by Humanitas University (both in Italian and in English), with the aim of providing future medical practitioners with the necessary skills to use regenerative medicine when treating pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

To find out more, we interviewed Professor Elizaveta Kon, Director of the Master, together with Professor Maurilio Marcacci and Deputy Directors Professor Alessandro Castagna, Dr. Maria Cristina D’Agostino, Dr. Ezio Lanza and Dr. Stefano Respizzi.

Professor Kon, to which category of doctors is the Master addressed to?

As this is a level II Master, candidates for one of the 15 places available must have a degree in Medicine and Surgery, a specialization diploma – mainly in Physiatry, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Radiology, Rheumatology – as well as a qualification to practice the profession and must be enrolled in the Professional Register.

How does the selection process take place?

Access is based on merit, so candidates are evaluated according to their qualifications and their interview. Following the initial evaluation, a ranking of the most deserving and motivated students is established.

How is the curriculum structured?

The study plan includes class lessons, clinical and surgical internships at Humanitas Research Hospital’s clinics and operating rooms, as well as exercises on 3D manikin or corpses at the Simulation Center and Cadaver Lab. In addition to the Master’s teachers, the lectures are also held by professors from various Italian universities and by international lecturers connected remotely. The Master also offers the opportunity to participate in international events within its field, which take place at the University.

What is the aim of the professional training offered by this Master?

The Master aims to provide its participants with knowledge of the main conservative methods (for example infiltrative therapies and rehabilitation techniques, such as shock waves, magnetotherapy, etc.), surgical techniques (cartilage and bone reconstruction with innovative biomaterials, stem cell implants), as well as any medical-legal aspect related to the use of regenerative medicine techniques.

How did the graduation ceremony take place this year?

Since this year it wasn’t possible to host a traditional graduation, the ceremony for all the participants of the Master took place on May 13th via Microsoft Teams. Participants presented their own thesis developed during the course of study, and discussed it in front of the committee formed by Professor Alessandro Castagna, Professor Elizaveta Kon, Dr. Ezio Lanza, Professor Maurilio Marcacci and Dr. Stefano Respizzi.

Is a second edition of the Master planned? Yes, at the moment we have planned a second edition which should start in early 2021.  We aim to strengthen the Master’s international outlook, by involving an increasing number of doctors from all over the world and by establishing new partnerships with prestigious European universities.