About MFPRM
The creation of "Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine" (MFPRM) 
and its role to the development of Rehabilitation to the Mediterranean Countries.
Prof. emer. Dr Nicolas Christodoulou
October 2025. 
Since twenty or more years ago, when Mediterranean colleagues met in international congresses or other meetings of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, a great enthusiasm and a friendly approach were the prominent feelings between us. We were always thinking that we must do something in the Mediterranean Basin for our speciality, something to unite us as a family, a tool to help each other, a weapon to strengthen and maintain our relationships.
But who was going to take the most difficult decision to do the first Historical Step?   The decision was taken in Israel. Pr. HAIM RING proposed to the Israeli Association of PRM (since 1994) to organise the first Mediterranean Congress in HERZLIYA of Israel, under his presidency. His suggestion was approved and our ship started its journey. Leon Heller, Jean-Jacques Vatine and Morris Azaria helped him mainly on that effort. The First Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in May 1996 in Israel. The map of the Mediterranean Basin was adopted, with a dove of peace flying above and the motto of "Rehabilitation without frontiers" underneath. About 500 people participated from 42 countries from all continents. Especially from the Mediterranean Basin were participants from 11 countries.

During the first congress a special meeting, convened by Haim Ring, took place under the title: "A Mediterranean PM&R Society, is it viable?" At that historical meeting the following pioneers had participated:

1. Anna Bobinac (Croatia),
2. Nicolas Christodoulou  (Cyprus),
3. Christiane Roques and J.F. Mathe (France),
4. Nicos Tasiopoulos (Greece),
5. Haim Ring, Morris Azaria, Leon Heller, Jean-Jacque Vatine (Israel),
6. Luigi Tesio and Salvatore Giaquinto (Italy),
7. Khalil Al Abbad (Jordan),
8. Jorge Lains (Portugal),
9. Crt Marincek (Slovenia),
10. Ramon Gomez Ferrer and A. Moret (Spain),
11. Tansu Arasil and Onder Kayhan (Turkey)

Herzlya: meeting for the future of the Mediterranean congresses

Very important decisions were taken and further actions planned:

1. It was decided to continue the activities, based mainly on a congress every two years.
2. Haim Ring overtook the leadership of consolidating the Mediterranean organization, establishing contacts and co-ordinating the exchange of ideas, the integration of new countries, etc.
3. He was helped to an extent by Christian Roques and then Crt Marincek in successive periods.
4. In 1999 he offered to Nicolas Christodoulou to integrate into the work with the intention, to mainly establish contact with Arab countries’ colleagues.

The 2nd Mediterranean Congress of PRM was decided to take place in VALENCIA of Spain on May 1998. The congress president was Ramon Gomez Ferrer. The chairman of the scientific committee was

Pr. Antonio Hernandez Royo. The total number of participants was 650. They were present colleagues from the 12 Mediterranean countries.
The 3rd Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place on September 2000 in ATHENS of Greece (Hellas). The Congress President was Pr. Xanthi Michail. The total number of participants was 700. Represented countries from the Mediterranean Basin were 14.

The creation of the Society: "Mediterranean Forum of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine" (MFPRM) was decided. Present representatives of Mediterranean countries at that historical meeting were the following:

During the meeting, the first Committee of MFPRM was elected, consisted of 7 members:

The mission of the first MFPRM Committee and its Secretary was to:

1. Prepare a simple and functional Statute,
2. Exchange ideas with the representatives,
3. Conduct all interested colleagues to be members of the new Society,
4. Have the first meeting in Syracuse,
5. Supervise the organization of the 4th Mediterranean Congress in Syracuse - Sicily - Italy.

During that period a congress was organized, under the auspices of MFPRM, in Greek language, and under the title: "Hellenic & Cypriot Days of PRM". It took place in Limassol of CYPRUS on March 2002. The co-presidents of the organizing committee of that congress were Nicolas Christodoulou and Xanthi Michail.
The 4th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in SYRACUSE of Sicily - Italy, in June 2002.

The congress President was Franco Cirillo. Supporting President of SIMFER was Pr. Carlo Bertolini.

The total number of participants was 770. Represented countries from the Mediterranean Basin were 16.

During that congress the MFPRM Statute was accepted, containing the following provisions:
A. Mission and Goals: 
1. MFPRM to be the scientific Mediterranean body for physicians working in 3 Continents,  Europe, Asia and Africa, around or with close vicinity with the Mediterranean Sea, in the fields of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
2. To facilitate Mediterranean exchange regarding:
a. Different aspects of Rehabilitation research,
b. Multi-centre trials,
c. National and Mediterranean projects, meetings and congresses.
3. To organise a biennial Mediterranean Congress of PRM in one of the countries having active members of the Forum.
4. On national level:

1. To influence national governments, in close co-operation with the national society of PRM,
2. To support initiatives and co-operation in the field of teaching, development of services and research in PRM.
3. To provide information to national governments about the contents and evidence based efficacy of PRM.

B. Membership: 
1.Open free (no fees) to all qualified physicians specialised in PRM who are working in any Mediterranean country or a country with close vicinity with Mediterranean Sea, irrespective of race, religion or community. 
2. Those who wish to become active members of the "Forum" must have an e-mail address & should apply to any Board member. 
3. Active members are eligible to participate to the General Assemblies, have the right to be candidates for representatives of their countries and to vote for the election of their country representative to the Council. 

C. A Board conducts the works of the Society:

1. The Board consists of 7 active members: The President, the Vice-President (who is the Organiser in charge of the next Mediterranean Congress), the Secretary, the Treasurer, and three members of the Board.
2. The term of the Board is for two years. Its members are elected directly by the countries-representatives (The Council) during the G.A. by a secret ballot.
3. President becomes the nominee who receives the most votes of the Council at the General Assembly.

The 7 members of the first MFPRM Board (2002-04) were the following:

Obtaining the Society's official journal: On March 2003, after a close co-operation between Alessandro Giustini, Franco Franchignoni, Paolo Di Benedetto and the Board of MFPRM, we reached an agreement, to transform the name of the journal: "EUROPA MEDICOPHYSICA" to "EUROPA MEDICOPHYSICA - The Mediterranean Journal of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine" and announce it as the official journal of our Society also. Members of the Society were involved at the journal's Editorial Board with an effort to upgrade it, increase its circulation and to be indexed. All these targets were gained within two years. 
During that period a Regional Italian congress was organized, under the auspices of MFPRM, under the title:"Giornate Mediterraneo di Riabilitazione".

It took place at Napoli from 19-21 June 2003. The presidents of the organizing committee were Pr. Cafeiro and Pr. Raffaele Gimigliano.
The 5th Mediterranean Congress of P.R.M. took place in ANTALYA of Turkey, from September 30 to October 4, 2004. The congress President was Pr. Tansu Arasil, and the President of the Scientific Committee was Pr. Gulseren Akyuz.

The total number of participants was 800. Represented countries from the Mediterranean Basin were 22.

2004 During gala dinner with Pr. Tansu Arasil and others
The new (current) Board of MFPRM (2004 - 2006) was consisted of:

In November 2005, the Euro-Mediterranean Rehabilitation Summer School (EMRSS) opened its gates, under the auspices and involvement of our Society and thanks to the active and successful efforts of our Italian colleagues Franco Cirillo and Alessandro Giustini who was that period the SIMFER president. The School is run by a consortium consisted by: (1) the national society "SIMFER" and the Sicilian regional group, (2) the University Association "Archimede" which represents the town council and the Regional province of Syracusa with the Catania University and (3) the University Association "Megara Ibleo" which represents the twenty-two town councils, which make up the province of Syracusa with the Messina University. At the Board of Governors of this consortium (association) are Franco Cirillo and Salvatore Baio. The School operated under the guidance of the: 
1) Mediterranean Forum of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (MFPRM)
2) European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM)
3) International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM).
The Scientific Committee which organizes the training courses is made up from personalities of the Scientific Associations. The Association is financially supported by the Syracuse Town Council, the regional Province and the tourist Board of Syracuse. Thanks to their contributions, it is possible hospitality to be given to the students who will have to pay only for their flying tickets. The subscription fee, food and lodging will be free. Every year the Course is going to deal with a specific topic which will be treated by specialists in the subject. Every year lectures and topics will be chosen by the scientific Committee. Every year the Course will be attended by 40 students (Italians and foreigners).The Italians will be chosen by the Directors of the Schools of specialization in Italy, the foreigners by the Chairman of the Scientific Committee. The announcement of the course will be published at the beginning of every year. The Courses will be held in Syracuse for a week. English will be the official language of the courses.

The first year the course lasted only two days (6th and 7th November) since the Italian National Conference started on the 8th November 2005. Nicolas Christodoulou and Haim Ring were the lecturers of the course the first day. The second day the lectures were given by the Italian colleagues: Luigi Tesio, Franco Franchignoni, Michele Vecchio, Marco Franceschini and Franco Molteni. The sessions were on Education and also on Research in Rehabilitation (prospective for technological, clinical and organisational development of Rehabilitation Internationally).
The 6th Mediterranean Congress of P.R.M. took place in VILAMOURA of Algarve - Portugal, from October 18 to 21, 2006. The congress President was Dr. Jorge Lains. The Portuguese Society of PRM with president Dr. Pedro Pinto Cantista contributed a lot to the organization and success of the congress.

The number of participants was 620 coming from 46 countries. The Portuguese colleagues were 316, representing the 51% of all the participants. 40 colleagues came from Spain, 38 from Turkey, 29 from Israel, 20 from Greece, 15 from Serbia and 12 from USA. All the colleagues from the developing countries had free or a waved registration (equal to the amount of the expenses). During the Congress 248 posters were presented and 272 lectures. According to the relevant decision of our General Assembly, the Forum inaugurated Pr. Haim Ring as the first honorary active member of our Board.

The new Board of MFPRM (2006 - 2008) was consisted of:

MFPRM has gained the support of  World and International Bodies: Since the first Mediterranean PRM Congress in Herzliya on 1996, the "in-between congresses meetings" of the International Rehabilitation Medicine Association (IRMA), the International Federation of PM&R (IFPMR) and their merge body: International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM), as well as the European Federation of Research in Rehabilitation (EFRR), were taking place during the works of  the Mediterranean PRM congresses, until ISPRM decided to organise an annual congress.
The activities of the current Board aim to: 
1. Increase the number of the Society members and the countries participating:
(till now we have 300 members from 22 different countries of the 3 Continents)
2. Help the organizing committee of the next Mediterranean Congress.
3. Support the official journal of the MFPRM : "EUROPA MEDICOPHYSICA - the Mediterranean Journal of PRM". With our support the journal is indexed since July 2005.
4. Support the Euro-Mediterranean PRM School operation: The 3rd School is planned to take place in Syracuse from 19 -23 November 2007 and host about 40 students. The topic of this School will be "Emergency Medicine and Rehabilitation".

The future activities of the Mediterranean Family (MFPRM) and our dreams had focused on:

1. Best organization of the 7th Mediterranean Congress of PRM in Portorose of Slovenia in 2008 and the future congresses.
2. Encourage our members to send their scientific work for publication to our official journal "Europa Medicophysica."
3. Efforts to encourage editors of PRM electronic books to offer them free to our members, like the book: "Advances in Rehabilitation - Assessment in PM&R" of Franco Franchignoni and Michel Barat.
4. Efforts to develop & empower the "Euro-Mediterranean PRM School" in Syracuse, helping the residents and the young specialists in PRM to enlarge their knowledge to specific areas of scientific interest.
5. Auspice and encourage national PRM Societies to organize congresses for continuing medical education & professional development: CME/CPD
6. Substantial help to developing Mediterranean countries to upgrade their Rehabilitation Services, in close co-operation with the PRM specialists of each country. 
7. Efforts to develop our own WEB SITE, www.mfprm.org to become an important tool of communication.

The Syracuse School in 2007 was organized successfully from the 19-23 of November, with the following topics: PRM and High Care, Emergency Medicine, Osteoporosis, Oncology, Drugs, Physical Therapy.

On March 2008, our official journal “EUROPA MEDICOPHYSICA”, after 44 years of publication had changed its name to “European Journal of PRM” (EUR J PHYS REHABIL MED). The Chief-Editor has sent us a letter underlining that the journal will remain Mediterranean for ever and the name “Mediterranean Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine” will be retained. The journal editors and the publisher wish to strengthen even more their collaboration with the MFPRM.
On July 2008, the MFPRM WEB-SITE (www.mfprm.org), thanks to our Turkish colleagues started operating, where anyone interested can find a lot of information.

Death of Prof. Haim Ring from Israel was announced with great sorrow on the 15/09/2008. A lot of decisions were taken to support his family and express our appreciation to the late Prof. Haim Ring as well as to honour him.

The 7th Mediterranean Congress of PRM (Sept.18-21, 2008) in PORTOROSE of Slovenia, was a great success of both the scientific and social events. The president of the congress, Pr. Crt Marincek, the supporting president of the Slovenian Society of PRM was Dr Klemen  Grabljevec and the Board members of the Slovenian Society have done their best to organize everything in a warm Mediterranean environment and we all lived unforgettable moments. During the Gala dinner we had the opportunity to honour the late Prof. Haim Ring and to honour Dr Franco Cirillo by giving him the first “MFPRM AWARD” for his contribution to the Forum members by operating the Euro-Mediterranean PRM School in Syracuse for four continuous years till now.

Furthermore, the Forum General Assembly decided unanimously to inaugurate Franco Cirillo to Honorary Active Board member. Also, a “Special Mention” was done for the operation of the European School of Marseille by Pr. Alain Delarque, which hosts every year Mediterranean residents as well. Our Society organized during the Congress two interactive sessions, which gave the opportunity to the Mediterranean colleagues to present what is happening in their countries and to take back home useful ideas from what is happening in the rest Mediterranean countries. The two sessions were: 1. “Towards the implementation of a minimal network for Rehabilitation Services in the Mediterranean Countries, 2. “Education and Research in the Mediterranean Countries”.

During the General Assembly in Portorose (09/08) it was announced with great sorrow the death of Prof. Haim Ring on the 15/09/2008. A lot of decisions were taken. The members of the new Board and their positions are the following:
1. Nicolas Christodoulou        (Cyprus):         President
2. Jorge Lains                          (Portugal):      Vice President
3. Xanthi Michail                    (Greece):        Vice President
4. Gulseren Akyuz                  (Turkey):         Secretary
5. Amparo M. Assucena         (Spain) :           Treasurer       
6. Franco Cirillo                      (Italy):             Honorary Active Member
7. Francesca Gimigliano        (Italy):             Deputy Secretary
8. Klemen Grabljevec             (Slovenia):       Deputy Treasurer

The Syracuse School in 2008 was organized by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 20th to 24th of October. The topics were: Neurological Rehabilitation, Orthotics & Prosthesis, Psychological support in Rehabilitation, Biometrics. The School was headed to the late Pr. Haim Ring. About 40 young colleagues, members of the Forum, from Italy, Greece, Portugal, Bosnia, Israel, Slovenia, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Algeria, Montenegro and Spain met for a week and were trained both theoretically and practically. They paid only their flying ticket and the rest of the expenses were covered by the local authorities. Besides the scientific benefit, a friendship between the colleagues from the Mediterranean countries started, which will help for better understanding of different cultural approaches in the Area.

The Syracuse School in 2009 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 19th to 23rd of October. The topics were: Anatomy-Physiopathology & Clinical Spine Application, ICF & Spinal diseases, Instrumental Diagnostics, Pain of Spinal diseases, Scoliosis.

The 2010 (8th) Mediterranean Congress was held in Limassol of Cyprus from Sept. 29 to Oct. 02. President of the congress was Prof. Nicolas Christodoulou. It was a wonderful congress both for the scientific and social events. The members of the Forum had a special discount for the registration fees. The number of the registered participants was 584. A special prize (Haim Ring Mediterranean PRM Prize) was given to the best oral presentation.

During the congress, the ISPRM Interim Board of Governors meetings took place, upgrading even more the congress, since distinguished colleagues from all parts of the world came and given lectures on subjects of their interests and research.

During the General Assembly, the MFPRM president Nicolas Christodoulou, decided to retire from president after 10 years, since he considered the Forum was grown safely enough with 529 members from 25 countries and a new Board was elected.

The new Board president Pr. Jorge Lains suggested Pr. N. Christodoulou to become the second Board Honorary Active Member for his valuable services to the Forum for 10 years and the GA accepted unanimously his suggestion. Vice president was nominated Pr. Raffaele Gimigliano. The other elected members were Gulseren Akyuz (secretary), Amparo Assucena, Francesca Gimigliano, Klemen Grabljevec and Milica Lazovic. Another important decision taken in Limassol between the MFPRM president Pr. Nicolas Christodoulou and the ESPRM president Pr. Alessandro Giustini was to change the organization of the Mediterranean congresses to the uneven years after the 2012 congress, instead of the even years, in order not to coincide with the European congresses. The suggestion was presented to the Forum GA and validated.

The Syracuse School in 2010 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 25th to 29th of October with the topics: The Stroke from “A” to “Z”.

The Syracuse School in 2011 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 24th to 28th of October. The topics were: Rehabilitation in Genetically and Non-Genetically determined Rare Diseases.
The Syracuse School in 2012 was organized as a Course in conjunction with the Sorrento PRM Mediterranean Congress from the 21st to 25th of October.
The 9th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in SORRENTO of Italy from 21-25 October 2012. The congress president was Rafaelle Gimigliano. The Scientific Committee was consisted of a panel of distinguished international experts including all the MFPRM and SIMFER Board Members and leaded by Pr. Raffaele Gimigliano, Francesca Gimigliano and Giovanni Iolaskon. A pre-session of the congress had been dedicated to prof. Haim Ring, the honorary member and one of the founding members of the MFPRM. The event also had a Haim Ring memorial session: “Research and education in the Mediterranean area”. The Haim Ring Award was won by Dr Antimo Moretti, resident at the II year in PRM.

There were 306 oral presentations, and 288 posters. The congress all over hosted 1021 participants from 35 MFPRM countries, participants also came from: Austria, Belgium, China, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Japan, Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, United States of America and Ukraine. The Executive Board of MFPRM and the Executive Board of SIMFER organized their general assemblies during the congress. The 9th Mediterranean Congress of PRM was successfully organized on the demanded level with many satisfied participants. During the MFPRM GA it was decided the members of the Board to remain the same till the next congress in one year. So Pr. Jorge Lains remained president of the Forum and Pr. Milica Lazovic was nominated Vice president of the Forum, as she was going to organize in Budva the next Mediterranean PRM congress.

The 10th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in BUDVA of New Yugoslavia (Montenegro) from the 29th September to 2nd October 2013 (change to uneven years). The congress president was Pr. Milica Lazovic, the president of the Serbian Society of PRM.

The number of Congress participants was 401 from 24 countries (20 countries having MFPRM members). 291 paid registration fees and for 72 their registration fees had been waived. 187 were coming from Serbia. There were a lot of oral presentations, and posters. Jorge Lains, on behalf of the MFPRM, congratulated the Serbian Society and especially Milica Lazovic and the organizing committee for their efforts to present an excellent congress in less than one year. During the MFPRM GA Jorge Lains was re-elected as president and members of the Board were elected Francesca Gimigliano, Milica Lazovic, Klemen Grabljevec, Gulseren Akyuz and Amparo Martinez Assucena. Vice president was nominated Dr Tarek Shafshak as the organiser of the next MFPRM congress. In the Board members were included as well the 2 honorary active members F. Cirillo and N. Christodoulou.
The Syracuse School in 2013 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 21st to 24th of October. The topics were: Recent Trend in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation.

The Syracuse School in 2014 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 10th to 13th of November. The topics were: Diagnostic and therapeutic role of the instrumental approach in rehabilitation medicine.

The 11th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in ALEXANDRIA of Egypt from the 1st to 4th of October 2015. The congress president was Pr. Tarek Shafshak. There were participants from 24 countries and it was a very successful congress. The General Assembly in Alexandria decided to grant the status of Emeritus Membership to 5 members for the MFPRM, who have been members of the Forum more than 10 years and they had retired from full tie professional activity. These members were the following: Prof. Antonio Hernandez Royo (Spain), Prof. Xanthi Michail (Greece), Prof. Carlo Bertolini (Italy), Prof. Tansu Arasil (Turkey) and Prof. Crt Marincek (Slovenia). The Emeritus Members are entitled to attend all meetings and other activities of the Forum but cannot vote or hold office. The above 5 Emeritus Members were officially informed by the new Board and a special Certificate was sent to them. Also, it was decided to give the status of Honorary Active Board member to Pr. Jorge Lains for his contribution to the Forum and who was completing his second term as president.

New president was elected Prof. Gulseren Akyuz and vice president was nominated Dr Stephen Zammit, as the organizer of the next MFPRM congress. Other members elected to the Board were Khalil Al Abbadi, Tarek Shafshak, Calogero Foti, Milica Lazovic (secretary) and Klemen Grablijevec (treasurer).
The Syracuse School in 2015 was successfully organized by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 9th to 12th of November. The topics were: The role of functional assessment and rehabilitation in parkinson'sdisease and parkinsonisms.

The 16th Syracuse School in 2016 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 7th to 10th of November.

The 12th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in VALETTA of Malta from the 9th to 12th of November 2017. The congress president was Dr Stephen Zammit.

They had the support of the Maltese PRM Association, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism of Malta. In 2017 the new Rehabilitation facilities in the country were ready. The congress scientific committee reviewed all the abstracts submitted and the congress was very successful both for its scientific and social events. The congress venue was at the Grand Hotel Excelsior (Hotel & Mediterranean Conference Centre).

During the opening ceremony the president Prof. Gulseren Akyuz gave the Diplomas to the 5 Emeritus Members of the MFPRM according to the decision of the previous GA in Alexandria.

The Syracuse School in 2017 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 27th to 30th of November. The topics were: Manual Medicine in the treatment of pain of vertebral origin.
The Syracuse School in 2018 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 12th to 15th of November. The topics were: Injections and interventional therapy in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

The 13th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in MARRAKESH of Morroco from the 7th to10th of November 2019. The congress president was Hafid Meliani. There were 318 official registrations. 22 workshops held for this congress. The opening ceremony did not contain any Morrocan cultural events but a beautiful show was prepared and presented in the gala dinner.

During the GA Pr. Milica Lazovic was elected as the new MFPRM president. Also, they were elected as new members of the Board the following: Ilker Yagci, Calogero Foti (vice-president), Hafid Meliani, Klemen Grabljevec and Iuly Treger and of course the Board is completed with the 3 Honorary Actice Members (Cirillo, Christodoulou and Lains).

The Syracuse School in 2019 was provisionally organized but eventually has not take place due to the pandemic covid-19.

The Syracuse School in 2020 was organized by Dr Franco Cirillo as a Webinar on the 11th of November. The topics were: Pharmacological Management in PRM: set-up, synergies, uncertainties and evidence based knowledge in various pathologies.

The 14th Mediterranean Congress of PRM was organized in AMMAN of Jordan from the 13-16 of October 2021. It was an online congress (virtual meeting) because of the covid-19 pandemic. The congress president was Khalil Al Abbadi. A lot of efforts were done in order to increase the participation. Despite the problems, it was a good virtual congress. No elections were done for the MFPRM.

The Syracuse School in 2021 was organized successfully  by Dr Franco Cirillo, again as a webinar on the 10th of November (due to the covid-19 pandemic). The topics were: What functional damage? What rehabilitation paths? Comparing experiences.

The Syracuse School in 2022 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 13th to 16th of November.

The topics were: Long Covid Silent Damage. Telerehabilitation. Special practical session on Prolotherapy.

The 15th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in ROME of Italy from the 6th to 8th of July 2023. The congress president was Pr. Calogero Foti. There were 500 official registrations and around 100 members of the faculty. The congress was of great success. During the congress a MoU between MFPRM and ISPRM was signed and also a MoU between MFPRM and Cochrane Rehabilitation was signed.

During the GA there were elections. The members of the new Board were: Calogero Foti (president), Frane Grubicic (vice-president),
Klemen Grabljevec, Ilker Yagci (secretary), Hafid Meliani, Milica Lazovic, Iuly Treger (treasurer) and the 3 honorary active Board members (F. Cirillo, N. Christodoulou and J. Lains).

The Syracuse School in 2023 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 29th of October to 2nd of November. The topics were: CERVICAL SPINE DISORDERS: capsular / legamentus / osteo / muscular / Fascial dysfunction.

The Syracuse School in 2024 was organized successfully by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 27th to 30th of October. The topics were: Hydrotherapy in PRM. Theory and Practice course.

The 16th Mediterranean Congress of PRM took place in Sibenik of Croatia from the 18th to 21st of September 2025. The congress president was Pr. Frane Grubisic. The title of the congress was: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine for All: “Roots in the Past, Wings for the Future”.

It was a very successful congress organized at Dalmacia Adriatic coast of Croatia on the sea. Both the scientific and cultural programs were of high standard.

During the GA, president was re-elected Pr. Calogero Foti and vice-president was nominated Pr. Markos Sgantzos (the organizer of the 2027 congress in Kos). Other Board members elected were Ilker Yagci from Turkey (secretary), Iuly Treger from Israel (treasurer), Milica Lazovich from Serbia, Asmaa Mahmoud from Egypt, and Ahmed Amine El Oumri from Morroco. Additionally, for the Board operation paricipate 3 honorary active members (F. Cirillo, N. Christodoulou and G. Lains)

The Syracuse School in 2025 was successfully organized by Dr Franco Cirillo from the 16th to 19th of October. The topic was: REHABILITATION: Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow.

The 17th Mediterranean Congress of PRM was decided to take place in the island of KOS of Greece, the birthplace of Hippocrates, with organising congress president Prof. Dr Markos Sgantzos. 

Besides all the above, through the years passed, our Board has created a list with the benefits of someone to be a member of the MFPRM, which is shown in our current website and has been circulated to the national Mediterranean Societies of PRM. The enlisted benefits are shown as follows:

1. You are informed for many important issues of our speciality around the Mediterranean Basin.
2. You have a special discount on registration fees for the Mediterranean Congresses of PRM.
3. You can be subscriber of our official indexed journal "European Journal of PRM” with a special discount.
4. To be a member of MFPRM you don't have to pay any membership fee. You must be a specialist of PRM, working in one of the Mediterranean countries or a country with close vicinity with a Mediterranean country and have your personal e-mail address. Furthermore, you contribute to the creation of the Mediterranean solidarity between the PRM specialists and you are a part of our Mediterranean Family.
5. You can have free some electronic books of our speciality.
6. You can participate to the established EMRSS "Euro-Mediterranean Rehabilitation Summer School", if you are a young specialist or at the final stage of your specialisation in PRM or if you are a senior, to suggest some of your trainees to participate to the School.
7. You can seek for the help of the Forum for the further development of Rehabilitation Services in your country, or for the organization of specific courses for the improvement of the educational standard and the harmonization of the specialty curriculum around Mediterranean.
8. With the support of your national society of PRM you can be a candidate to organize in your country a Mediterranean Congress.