MIMI was established in the early 2000s, inspired by the vision of Prof. Andrew K. Burroughs and his collaboration with Paolo Montalto, a physician from Montecatini Terme. Their partnership began during Dr. Montalto’s international fellowship at the Royal Free Hospital in London and led to a shared conviction: the patient must be placed at the center of the discussion. The congress adopts an interactive format in which authentic clinical cases are presented by young doctors and discussed alongside experienced specialists. The audience becomes an active participant, voting in real time and directly engaging in clinical reasoning — an approach designed to reflect the most genuine form of daily medical practice.
The journey began with the inaugural edition in Montecatini Terme in 2005, which immediately stood out for its innovative educational model and high level of participation. Since then, MIMI has become a leading event for Italian gastroenterology, held every two years and constantly evolving. Over time, the congress has welcomed international experts, introduced simultaneous language interpretation, and expanded sessions to include practical workshops and debates. The support of major scientific societies, both from Italy and abroad, has helped reinforce MIMI’s reputation as a benchmark for professional growth and knowledge exchange.
One of the major strengths of MIMI is the emphasis on fostering the professional development of young doctors and students. Through the MIMI-No Profit association, the event offers scholarships for participation, mentoring opportunities, and exclusive sessions such as the dynamic “MIMI Boxing Ring,” where innovative techniques and treatment strategies are debated in a lively setting. In the most recent editions, even patients themselves have joined the conversation, sharing their perspectives and enriching the discussion — demonstrating that truly patient-centered medicine requires the participation and voice of those directly affected.
After the challenges faced during the pandemic, the congress managed to renew itself with fresh energy and a greater focus on contemporary issues. Recent editions have introduced interactive round tables on crucial topics such as healthcare sustainability, technological innovation, and the increasing prevalence of chronic digestive diseases and cancers. Today, the MIMI congress is held regularly towards the end of October, maintaining its biennial rhythm: a valuable opportunity to foster interdisciplinary learning, professional collaboration, and the sharing of experiences. The event continues to welcome students, experts, and healthcare practitioners into a dynamic and passionate community, ready to face together the challenges of modern medicine.
In parallel with this renewal process, MIMI has also succeeded in strengthening its role at the European level, thanks to active participation in the National Societies Forum of United European Gastroenterology (UEG) — the widely recognized common home and authoritative, unified voice of European gastroenterology within institutions, and the sole interlocutor of the Digestive Health Group with the European Parliament. This collaboration has been consolidated by the presence of UEG delegates at recent MIMI editions and the organization of round tables dedicated to topics of European relevance, such as sustainability and the impact of chronic and neoplastic diseases of the digestive system. These opportunities for dialogue have made it possible to bring best practices and international research data directly to the Italian audience, involving European specialists and encouraging genuine integration between different experiences and healthcare systems. Thanks to these collaborations, MIMI now offers its participants a broad and updated perspective on the challenges gastroenterology must face in Europe, fostering the growth of a professionally and internationally connected community.