Benvenuto a Roma and to the 10th Annual International ECMO Network Meeting
Dear colleagues, collaborators and friends,
ECMONet was born to increase our understanding of the science of ECMO through international teamwork and collaboration. Our 2026 Rome meeting follows that principle, highlighting the global presence of our group as we welcome emerging and established researchers, visitors, and returning industry peers and colleagues. Gracie Mille for making the journey here – though let’s be honest, travelling to beautiful Rome is never a terrible penance.
Roman philosopher and writer, Publilius Syrus, perhaps best known for Sententiae, his magnum opus of moral maxims, said “Where there is unity, there is always victory.” For our Rome meeting, we have adopted this as our mission statement, as a key tenet for our discussions over the forthcoming days.
For Rome 2026, we will continue to provide brief updates on existing projects as well as proposals for new studies and sub-studies. However, we task you with one question throughout the meeting and that is “How can we work together to safeguard and ‘future proof’ ECMONet? How can we think innovatively and approach studies and collaborations for maximum impact?”
As we announced in Abu Dhabi last year, our emperors and imperators, Dan Brodie and Art Slutsky have stepped away from the day-to-day running of the Network and annual meeting. We are grateful for their ongoing interest and support, and for their guidance in preparing for this meeting.
Thank you to Darryl Abrams and Tai Pham who, together with Lauren Kelly, have been instrumental in shaping this year’s ambitious program. They have intentionally created as much space as possible for discussion, knowing this is where the real ‘magic’ happens. While some conversations will continue offline or over dinner and drinks, we hope the real momentum generated at the meeting will carry forward long after we board our homeward planes, trains and automobiles.
We welcome specifically new, young and emerging research leaders and welcome those who are joining the meeting for the first time and are confident that they will be made very welcome and inspired by your leadership.
Thank you also and welcome to our Sponsors and Members for their support for the meeting and other initiatives throughout the year - Fresenius, Medtronic, Vantive Baxter and ChinaBridge Lifemotion.
As always, the success of ECMONet is through the sharing of ideas – of robust discussions, and even dissent – our strength is our togetherness and it is that that can change outcomes in the sickest of the sick.
FORZZAAA!!
Professor Carol Hodgson
PhD FACP FAHMS
Co-Director, Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre
Head, Division of Clinical Trials, SPHPM, Monash University
Executive Director, Monash Partners
Chair, Australian Health Research Alliance
NHMRC Investigator L2
Professor John F Fraser AO
MB ChB, PhD, FRCP(Glas), FFARCSI, FRCA, FCICM FELSO
Professor & Pre-Eminent Specialist in Intensive Care Medicine, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane
Director, Critical Care Research Group, University of Queensland & The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane
Director of Intensive Care Unit, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane
Professor Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Queensland
Professor, School of Medicine, Griffith University
Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology
Adjunct Professor, Monash University