UniCamillus and the Fondazione Giglio in Cefalù are strengthening their ties. The Rector of UniCamillus, Gianni Profita, has officially joined the Board of Directors of the foundation that runs the hospital in the town in the province of Palermo, a centre of excellence in Sicilian and national healthcare.
Last year the two organisations began a close collaboration that led to the opening of a university campus in Cefalù, with the launch of the MSc in Medicine and Surgery for the academic year 2024-25. This further step allows UniCamillus to become one of the founding partners of the Fondazione Giglio itself, on the same footing as the Regione Sicilia, Asp 6 Palermo and the municipality of Cefalù.
“We are launching an experiment in public-private management, following the indications of the Regione Sicilia. This will strengthen our ability to provide high-quality care, scientific research and excellent educational training,” said Victor Mario Di Maria, President of the Board of the Fondazione Giglio, who officially appointed Rector Profita as Vice-President in charge of research and education. He is an institutional figure of high academic and professional prestige who will enrich the management of the Giglio”, added Di Maria. Simona Vicari and Giuseppe Guercio are also members of the Board. It is also thanks to their work that UniCamillus and Rector Profita were chosen, at the end of a public procedure, as reliable partners to work alongside the public shareholders of the Sicilian hospital.
“It is a great honour for me to be appointed to this position,” said Rector Profita. It is an endorsement not only of me, but of UniCamillus as a whole, and of the quality work that our entire academic community has been doing for years, always striving for excellence. This is not out of gratification, but out of a sincere commitment to a cause inspired by the values and legacy of Saint Camillus De Lellis, and aimed exclusively at caring for people. Becoming an active part of a reference hospital for the entire national health system, like the Giglio Hospital in Cefalù, makes myself and our entire University proud of the commitment we have shown since the very beginning of our activity”.
The President of the Regione Sicilia, Renato Schifani, also welcomed the fact that UniCamillus has joined the Fondazione Giglio and that the Rector is a member of the Board of Directors. Congratulations were also extended to Dr. Giovanni Albano, former President of the foundation, who has now been appointed General Director by the same Board. With this new organisation, and thanks in particular to the contribution of UniCamillus, the Fondazione Giglio is now preparing to strengthen its health services in order to meet the needs of users throughout Sicily with greater efficiency and quality. We will rely on technological, clinical and organisational innovation, which UniCamillus University will help us to implement with its experience in this field,” concluded President Di Maria.
Photo credits: Fondazione Istituto G.Giglio di Cefalù