On the Olympic Front Lines: IAOMS Members Support Milano–Cortina 2026
- IAOMS | IAOMS Foundation
- 16 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Article from USA
As the world has its attention on the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, elite athletes and trainers will not be the only professionals performing at the highest level.
For the first time in Olympic history, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has established a dedicated surgical team composed exclusively of oral and maxillofacial surgeons as part of the official medical services for the Games. This specialized team will provide expert trauma care across multiple competition venues, with particular focus on high-risk sports such as ice hockey.
Among those selected are leading Italian oral and maxillofacial specialists, including IAOMS members, who are helping redefine how maxillofacial trauma is managed in elite international sporting events.
A Historic First for Maxillofacial Surgery
Winter Olympic sports present unique risks for facial and cranio-maxillofacial injuries, particularly in disciplines involving high speed, physical contact, and protective equipment.
Recognizing this, the IOC worked with Italian medical authorities and professional societies to form a specialized response team focused exclusively on oral and maxillofacial trauma. The team is embedded within the broader Olympic medical system and is prepared to respond to injuries across multiple venues and disciplines.
While ice hockey represents a particularly high-risk environment for facial trauma, the team’s mandate extends beyond a single sport, supporting athletes throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This initiative represents a major milestone for the specialty, positioning oral and maxillofacial surgeons at the center of Olympic medical preparedness.
Leadership and Coordination
The team is coordinated by:
Gabriele Canzi, Head of Maxillofacial Surgery at Niguarda Hospital, Milan
Giorgio Novelli, Associate Professor and senior surgeon at Niguarda and the University of Milano-Bicocca
Together, they oversee clinical protocols, emergency response pathways, and interdisciplinary coordination with orthopedic, neurosurgical, and trauma teams.
Under their leadership, participating surgeons receive specialized preparation for high-speed injury scenarios, on-site triage, and the complex medical logistics required for a multi-venue international event. Congratulations and THANK YOU to all participating OMF Surgeons on the Olympic Medical Team.
Apolloni Federico (Vicenza) | Morganti Valeria (Monza) | Dessy Margherita (Sassari) | |
Audino Giovanni (Genova) | Novelli Giorgio (Milano) | Dosio Camilla (Torino) | |
Baserga Camilla (Milano) | Moscato Guido (Genova) | Ferragina Francesco (Catanzaro) | |
Bertoglio Chiara (Monza) | Panozzo Giorgio (Brescia) | Ferrari Luca (Brescia) | |
Bonaso Mila (Legnano) | Passalacqua Fabio (Torino) | Ferrari Mario (Milano) | |
Calvanese Carlo (Napoli) | Poggio Andrea (Milano) | Filippi Andrea (Monza) | |
Canzi Gabriele (Milano) | Rabagliati Marco (Milano) | Fossati Chiara (Padova) | |
Castellani Andrea (Brescia) | Saponaro Gianmarco (Roma) | Griffa Alessandro (Orbassano) | |
Consorti Giuseppe (Ancona) | Scarsella Secondo (L’Aquila) | Lemma Francesco (Terni) | |
Corio Chiara (Legnano) | Terraneo Vittoria (Milano) | Liberatore Gian Mauro (Pisa) | |
Corradi Federica (Milano) | Tieghi Riccardo (Ferrara) | Liviero Fabio (Milano) | |
Crimi Salvatore (Catania) | Morganti Valeria (Monza) | Mannucci Nicola (Pordenone) | |
Cullati Federico (Milano) | Novelli Giorgio (Milano) | Mazzoleni Fabio (Monza) | |
Da Pozzo Filippo (Milano) | Moscato Guido (Genova) | Mazzucato Camilla (Milano) | |
De Simone Elisabetta (Milano) | Panozzo Giorgio (Brescia) | Moretti Mattia (Monza) |
IAOMS Representation on the Olympic Team
Three members of the Olympic maxillofacial surgical team are active members of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS):
Giovanni Audino (Genoa)
Riccardo Tieghi (Ferrara)
Salvatore Crimi (Catania)
Dr. Tieghi has been recognized in regional media for his appointment to the Olympic medical team, reflecting the high level of professional achievement required for selection.
Dr. Crimi brings additional leadership experience to the group as Vice Chair of the IAOMS NextGen Committee, representing the next generation of global oral and maxillofacial surgery leaders. His participation underscores IAOMS’ commitment to leadership development, professional growth, and international engagement.
Together, these members represent IAOMS’ expanding influence in trauma care, academic medicine, and global health systems.
Preparing for Olympic-Level Trauma Care
In January 2026, the team gathered for an intensive preparatory meeting focused on:
Injury simulation and emergency response protocols
Rapid referral and imaging pathways
Coordination with hospitals in Milan, Bormio, Livigno, and Cortina
Integration with Paralympic medical services
Communication standards with Olympic officials and team physicians
These sessions ensure that athletes who experience facial trauma can receive specialized evaluation and treatment within minutes, minimizing complications and supporting safe return to play whenever medically appropriate.
Elevating the Global Profile of the Specialty
The creation of this specialized surgical team reflects growing international recognition of the central role oral and maxillofacial surgeons play in trauma care, sports medicine, and multidisciplinary treatment.
For IAOMS, this milestone reinforces the organization’s mission to advance excellence in patient care worldwide and highlights the impact of its members beyond traditional clinical settings.
As Milano–Cortina 2026 continues, these surgeons will be working behind the scenes to ensure that athletes receive world-class care when it matters most.
Their presence at the Games is not only a professional achievement, but a powerful reminder of the specialty’s leadership, adaptability, and global relevance.
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