Medicine and Surgery, congratulations to the first Double Degree graduates

The graduation ceremony was intense and exciting: Dr D'Souza and Dr Vandebroucke ‒ who presented their capstone projects at the end of their training in the USA, entitled “Innovations in Antiplatelet reversal and bleeding management” and “Latest evidence and strategies for renal risk reduction in type 2 diabetes” respectively ‒ are the first two students from Università Cattolica to complete the Double MD Degree programme with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, completing a project that is currently unique in the world.

“I am truly thrilled to be able to celebrate this achievement, and my first thoughts go to my colleagues and friends on both sides of the Atlantic who initially imagined this path and who, for various reasons, are unable to celebrate with me today” ‒ commented Prof. Giovanni Gambassi. “Vic and Ryan both chose to continue their postgraduate training in the US because they were able to showcase their talents and excel. This is evidenced by the fact that they were selected as postgraduates at prestigious institutions. This excites me even more when I think of the ten other students who are currently in Philadelphia and the many others we are selecting from among the dozens who have applied.” “We will not limit ourselves to the achievements made so far” ‒ he concluded ‒ “and, building on the experience gained to date, we are actively working to make further opportunities for dual degrees in medicine with other prestigious US institutions available to the best students at Università Cattolica very soon. Today, for the best medical students at Università Cattolica who are considering a professional future in the United States, a unique opportunity is opening up that immediately places the University in a position of global leadership.”

The degree programme in Medicine and Surgery at Università Cattolica began with its first cohort of students in 2013. The degree curriculum, which complies with all the requirements of the Ministry of Education, has been modelled on that of the best international medical schools and has an interdisciplinary structure with early integration of knowledge between the basic and medical-surgical disciplines. Starting with the admission of 30 students, it has now grown to offer 110 places, of which 70 are for non-EU students and 40 for EU students. Over two-thirds of students come from non-European countries, from Japan to Brazil, including India, Israel, Egypt, Canada, the USA and many Persian Gulf states.

Thanks in part to legislation that now allows students in Italy to enrol in multiple university courses simultaneously, this project enables students at Università Cattolica to obtain both an MD degree in the United States and a degree in Medicine and Surgery in Italy, guaranteeing them the opportunity to study in the US while maintaining their student status at Università Cattolica.

“I would like to thank Professor Gambassi and all my colleagues on the degree programme for their decisive contribution to this pioneering project, for supporting our students with passion and for working tirelessly to make this dream come true” ‒ concluded Prof. Gasbarrini. “Thank you to everyone who made this historic day possible. Together, we are writing a new page in the history of international medical education.”