#TalentiUniSR: Tommaso Scquizzato

The reasons why Tommaso Scquizzato is among the #TalentiUniSR are so numerous that here we report only a few. Tommaso is a fourth-year medical student of the MD Program. He has been actively attending the Research Center of Anesthesia and Intensive Care and the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of the San Raffaele Hospital for three years. During high school, he distinguished himself for having developed a smartphone app aimed at teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. For this reason, he was awarded the title of “Alfiere della Repubblica Italiana” by the past President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. To date, Tommaso authored numerous publications, abstracts presented at international conferences, and a book chapter on cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He was one of the seven Italians involved in developing the 2020-2025 European guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC). He also collaborated with the Italian Resuscitation Council (IRC) in the Italian translation of these guidelines, including those for the COVID-19 pandemic. He recently participated as a speaker at the first Italian presentation of the new guidelines during the IRC webinar with 1800 participants, presenting the latest guidelines on using apps to alert first responders nearby to a cardiac arrest. These recommendations are also based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of which Tommaso is the first author conducted with doctors and researchers from San Raffaele and published in the leading journal of the sector (Resuscitation). This work showed how the use of this kind of app increases the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation before ambulance arrival and patients' survival. Of UniSR he says: “I am strongly convinced that the strength of San Raffaele is being surrounded by models that are a source of inspiration for students: for me it was and continues to be every day. At San Raffaele, you can breathe an international air, where you have the opportunity to carry out clinical research of the highest level and at the same time offer high-quality care and treatments".

Tommaso Scquizzato

I enrolled in 2017 in the Master's Degree in Medicine and Surgery (International Medical Doctor Program) at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. For three years, I have been actively attending the Center for Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, the clinical research center of anesthesia and intensive care, and the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of San Raffaele Hospital

Being at San Raffaele is beautiful for many reasons. I was fascinated and inspired by the idea of studying in a prestigious campus, a point of reference in Italy, where it is offered the real opportunity to come into close contact with the world of research and clinical practice at the same time

In addition to the high quality of teaching and the excellent preparation it is providing me, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University has allowed me to become part of an environment where clinical and research are carried out in close synergy. I was extremely lucky to receive an exceptional mentorship from Prof. Alberto Zangrillo and Prof. Giovanni Landoni, to whom I will always be enormously grateful. From the very beginning, I immediately felt part of the group, and I am accompanied, guided, and advised on my journey every day. I had the opportunity to learn what it means to do research and at the same time take care of the most critically ill patients within a hospital and university setting of this dimension. Thanks to the training and mentorship I received, I reached goals that I never thought I would reach at this point in my career

I am currently attending the fourth year of the Master's Degree in Medicine and Surgery (International Medical Doctor Program). Alongside attending lectures, I carry out an intense research activity at the Center for Intensive Care and Anesthesiology and clinical practice in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit of the San Raffaele Hospital. I am also the social media editor of the social media of the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care.

My research activity mainly focuses on the study of cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation with particular attention to the role of technology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I studied the impact of the pandemic on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and the use of emergency services. I actively collaborate with the European Resuscitation Council and the Italian Resuscitation Council, scientific societies committed to improving the care of patients with cardiac arrest

I firmly believe that the strength of San Raffaele is being surrounded by models that are a source of inspiration for students: for me it was and continues to be every day. At San Raffaele, you can breathe an international air, where you have the opportunity to carry out clinical research of the highest level and at the same time offer high-quality care and treatments

Enthusiasm and determination to achieve my goals

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” – Isaac Newton

I believe that in the scientific field we are all on the shoulders of giants, that is, the experts who have preceded us or who are guiding us. The milestones we reach today or will achieve tomorrow would not be possible without their discoveries and innovations of the past and what they have transmitted to us

Lead a group aimed to develop new treatments and innovative strategies to improve survival after cardiac arrest. One day, being able to mentor some young students would be the best way to return the support I have received