Students from Ivanić-Grad University of Applied Sciences visited International Medical Center Priora last weekend and gained first-hand insight into how the hospital operates.
Robotic surgery is the focus of the student visit
The visit aimed to introduce students to the organization of hospital work, the application of modern medical technologies, and the role of nurses and physiotherapists in the diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation processes. Special emphasis was placed on robotic surgery and the advanced Da Vinci robotic system.
The first Da Vinci procedures in Croatia were performed at Priora in June 2024, in the treatment of prostate cancer. Since then, more than one hundred robot-assisted surgeries of the prostate and kidney have been successfully performed. The Da Vinci system is now also used in gynecology, marking another important step forward in Croatia. Preparations are also underway for the first abdominal procedures using this system, said Tomislav Kalem, MSc, Director of IMC Priora and Head of the Urology Department.
Da Vinci and Mona Lisa – advanced technologies in educating future healthcare professionals
Dr. Kalem also gave a lecture to the students on robotic surgery. In addition to Da Vinci, Priora also uses the Mona Lisa robot for prostate fusion biopsy, known for its exceptional precision and minimally invasive approach. Over the past two years, Priora’s medical team has successfully performed more than 300 biopsies using the Mona Lisa system.
Students of nursing, physiotherapy, prosthetics, orthotics, and robotics in physiotherapy attended the visit, accompanied by their professors and representatives of the university.
As they emphasized, the visit helped them better understand clinical practice, connect theoretical knowledge with real-world application, and develop professional behavior in a healthcare environment.
