On 28 May, Diaverum launched K-Camp, an EACCME-accredited learning programme developed in collaboration with the University of Bari Aldo Moro and delivered under d.ACADEMY.
Designed to build clinical excellence in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) and vascular access, the programme included an online course and a hands-on residency, both aligned to one goal: equipping nephrologists and nurses across the organisation with the practical skills needed to improve care in one of renal medicine’s most critical areas.
Following the successful launch of the K-Camp e-learning programme — which attracted over 1,500 registrations and trained approximately 600 nephrologists, shift doctors and nurses across our global network — the second phase of the initiative took place this month in Bari, Italy.
From 16–20 June, a cohort of nephrologists and medical directors representing eight countries completed a one-week, hands-on residency focused on ultrasound techniques, vascular access procedures, and real-time clinical decision-making. It included:
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Greece: Emmanouil Chaviaras – Nephrologist
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Hungary: Péter Répási – Nephrologist
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Italy: Roberto Schillaci – Medical Director
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Lithuania: Agnė Navickaitė – Nephrologist
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Portugal: Andreia Henriques – Nephrologist & Tiago Pereira – Nephrologist
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Romania: Cristina Mariana Văduva – Medical Director & Simion Emanuel Ionut – Medical Director
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Saudi Arabia: Sartaj Alam – Nephrologist
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Spain: Juan Felipe Ocampo – Docto; Juan Guillermo Vargas – Medical Director; Shaira Martínez Vaquera – Country Medical Director & Karla Espinoza Muñoz – Medical Director
This in-person programme marked a significant step in building advanced clinical capabilities across Diaverum’s network, reinforcing our commitment to continuous learning and excellence in renal care.
In modern dialysis care, kidney specialists are increasingly using Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) — a portable, bedside imaging tool that allows clinicians to perform ultrasound clinical assessments to answer focused questions to confirm a suspected diagnosis, narrow the differential, or guide a procedure.
Unlike traditional ultrasounds that require referral to radiology, PoCUS can be used immediately by the treating physician to assess a patient’s fluid levels, heart function, or the condition of their dialysis access. This enables faster, more informed clinical decisions, often avoiding delays or unnecessary hospital transfers. For patients on dialysis, PoCUS is especially valuable in avoiding complications like fluid overload, or precisely diagnose vascular access dysfunction. When combined with skilled vascular access techniques — the creation and care of the patient’s dialysis “lifeline” — PoCUS supports safer procedures and more consistent treatment delivery. These tools are now considered essential for improving outcomes in renal care, and Diaverum is investing in their widespread adoption through targeted training.
Dr Fernando Macário, GPC Chief Medical Officer, had this to say: “Empowering our teams through hands-on training is essential to turning clinical innovation into daily practice. The K-Camp on POCUS, held in collaboration with the University of Bari and Professor Gesualdo, is a strong example of how we are advancing our commitment to education and operational excellence. By investing in skills that improve vascular access care, we are strengthening safety, precision, and speed — fully aligned with our strategy to embed innovation into the frontline of care.”
Dr Carlos Lucas, Corporate Medical Vice President, M42 Global Patient Care, who was responsible for co-designing the programme together with the expert faculty from Bari University, added: “K-Camp was developed with a clear ambition — to close the gap between knowledge and clinical impact. This programme empowers our clinicians with practical, high-value tools that are transforming patient care. It’s not only about learning a technique, it’s about embedding a new mindset and a new standard across the network”.
Clinical knowledge from the programme is already being applied in-centre to improve care outcomes and reduce complications. Participants were selected for their strong engagement and potential to cascade learnings across their local teams — reinforcing Diaverum’s aim to embed PoCUS and vascular access competence more widely across its global operations.
Maria Chiara Durio, Country Managing Director for Diaverum Italy, who led the initiative, noted: “I am deeply proud of our medical team, whose unwavering dedication transformed this programme into a reality. The residency week in Bari was dynamic, practical, and deeply energising — and the level of interest it generated confirms just how relevant and necessary this kind of clinical training is across our network.”
With high demand for future training cohorts, planning is already underway to expand residency capacity in 2026. The initiative supports not only professional development, but also Diaverum’s operational readiness in a key area of renal care, driving clinical standardisation across markets.
Rafael Romanini, Group CEO of Diaverum, concluded: “K-Camp is a clear example of how we translate strategy into action. It reflects our commitment to clinical leadership, knowledge-sharing, and continuous development across our network — ensuring our teams are equipped to deliver the highest standards of care, today and tomorrow.”