From general hospital to excellence in neurorehabilitation
Villa Beretta was established in 1946 as a general hospital under the guidance of the Congregazione delle Suore Infermiere dell’Addolorata. In 1959, following the polio epidemic, it transformed into a rehabilitation center dedicated to individuals affected by this disease, with a holistic approach to care that begins with physical therapies and ends with the social and professional reintegration of the patient. The fundamental principle of rehabilitative medicine was already evident at that time: not only addressing disability and illness but also nurturing the individual in their entirety.
Since the 1970s, Villa Beretta has specialized in treating disabilities resulting from traumatic and vascular injuries, as well as genetic disorders of the nervous system. Beginning in 1985, the hospital pioneered groundbreaking methods, such as non-invasive mechanical ventilation for home use. These methods have significantly contributed to innovation and improved the effectiveness of treatments for respiratory issues associated with neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. In the 1990s, significant advancements in technology and engineering emerged, largely due to the financial support of the Fondazione Valduce.
Established in 1996 by several local entrepreneurs, including Luigi Agrati, Giovanni Battista Limonta, and Eufrasio Anghileri, the foundation played a pivotal role in fostering innovation. The Center for Bioengineering was created through partnerships with the Unione Italiana Lotta alla Distrofia Muscolare (UILDM), the Telethon Foundation, and the Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta in Milan. These collaborations enabled the implementation of groundbreaking treatment methods, including implantable neuromodulation systems, intrathecal baclofen pumps, and deep brain stimulation.
The biotechnological approach has become increasingly robust since the 2000s, primarily due to numerous collaborations with esteemed institutions such as the Politecnico di Milano, the National Research Council (CNR), the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa, the Institute of Biorobotics in Pisa, and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), along with various startups and pharmaceutical companies.
On June 30, 2023, the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute was inaugurated. This institute is dedicated to advancing research and innovation in Rehabilitation Medicine and collaborates closely with the Rehabilitation Center. It embodies the natural evolution of the synergy between Rehabilitation Medicine and technology.
