In a country where over half of medical practitioners are aged over 55 and one in four are over 65, Italy’s national health service is at risk of losing tens of thousands of professionals in the next five years (source: FNOMCeO–ENPAM).
Against this backdrop, UniCamillus University is reaffirming its commitment to the future of Italian healthcare by welcoming a new generation of medical professionals. In a deeply meaningful ceremony, 400 fourth-year MSc Medicine and Surgery students received their white coats on Saturday 8 November, in the Sala Sinopoli at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome. The event was once again attended by Francesco Rocca, President of the Regione Lazio.
“At a time of intense pressure on the Italian healthcare system, the white coat ceremony is a ritual of renewal and collective trust for our University”, says Gianni Profita, Rector of UniCamillus.
“Wearing a white coat signifies a commitment to caring for life and embracing vulnerability”, explains the Rector. “It is the first tangible gesture of a promise to society, a symbol of hope and a public pact of responsibility. We celebrate the future of medicine by remembering that healing is a mission, not just a skill”.
Recent European research shows that around 45% of young people under the age of 20 are interested in a career in healthcare (source: IPSOS). This figure reveals more than just a trend; despite the uncertainty of the job market and the complexity of training courses, the desire to help others and contribute to collective well-being remains a strong calling among younger generations.
“UniCamillus’ internal data also confirms this trend”, adds Rector Gianni Profita. “From 2018 to the present day, the University has experienced a fivefold increase in enrolments on the MSc in Medicine and Surgery course, and a sevenfold increase in enrolments on the BSc Nursing programme. These figures show that young people are choosing to embark on a challenging yet deeply motivating path, guided by human values even more than professional ambition”.
Browse the Gallery
