The 8th Mediterranean Transplantation Anesthesiology and Simulation Symposium (MedTASS 2025) was held May 16–17 in Palermo, Sicily, bringing together distinguished international faculty to share developments in the perioperative care of patients undergoing solid organ transplantation and other complex abdominal and thoracic surgeries.
This biennial symposium—first launched in 2009 by Antonio F. Arcadipane, MD, Clinical Director at UPMC Palermo (IsMeTT), and Raymond M. Planinsic, MD, FASA, Professor and Director of Transplantation Anesthesiology and Transplant Quality Improvement at UPMC Presbyterian—continues to serve as a vital forum for collaboration and education in transplant anesthesiology. The 2025 Course Directors were Dr. Planinsic and Gaetano Burgio, MD, Chief of Anesthesiology at IsMeTT.
MedTASS 2025 featured a robust scientific program with presentations by local and international experts, including the following department faculty representing Pittsburgh:
- Shawn T. Beaman, MD, FASA, Associate Professor and Interim Executive Vice Chair for Clinical Operations
- Mark E. Hudson, MD, MBA, FASA, FAACD, UPMC Richard J. Kuwik Endowed Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine; Richard J. Kuwik Professor of Anesthesiology; University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and Executive Director, Anesthesiology Administration
- David G. Metro, MD, FASA, Professor, Interim Executive Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, and Senior Vice Chair for Education
- Raymond M. Planinsic, MD, FASA, Professor and Director of Transplantation Anesthesiology and Transplant Quality Improvement, UPMC Presbyterian
- Aisha P. Ullah, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Transplantation Anesthesiology
Held at the scenic Hotel Saracen, the symposium distinguished itself not only through its high-level academic content but also by incorporating medical simulation to demonstrate and teach critical intraoperative and intensive care scenarios. These sessions offered participants valuable hands-on experience in managing complex clinical events.
The symposium opened with a tribute to the late Victor L. Scott, MD, honoring his contributions to the field of transplant anesthesiology at both IsMeTT and UPMC’s Western Pennsylvania hospitals. Dr. Scott’s visionary leadership and dedication to patient care and education continue to resonate deeply within the transplant and anesthesiology communities.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the IsMeTT Clinical Innovation and Teaching Excellence Award and Educational Awards, delivered by Drs. Arcadipane, Hudson, and Planinsic. Established in 2019 by Dr. Hudson in collaboration with Dr. Arcadipane, this program aims to strengthen clinical and educational collaboration between the UPMC anesthesiology teams in Palermo and Western Pennsylvania.
This year’s award recipients were:
- Sara Coppolecchia, MD, 2023 Awardee
- Paolo Capuano, MD, 2024 Awardee
The award recognizes exceptional IsMeTT faculty members for excellence in clinical innovation or education. Each recipient receives funding to attend a major U.S. educational meeting and complete a clinical or educational leadership observership with the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC.
MedTASS continues to play a pivotal role in advancing education, research, and collaboration in transplant anesthesiology worldwide. We are proud to continue to support and participate in this important initiative.