On the occasion of the Easter holidays, the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma would like to extend their sincere Easter wishes to the entire community.
This period represents a valuable moment for rest and reflection, taking place at a particularly significant time for the Master’s programs, marked by the conclusion of the previous academic year and the beginning of the new 2025/2026 academic year. A transitional moment that invites us to look to the future with renewed energy, awareness, and a spirit of growth.
Easter, a symbol of renewal and hope, reflects the values that guide daily commitment to the education of healthcare professionals: person-centered care, responsibility, collaboration, and a continuous drive for improvement.
💬 “I would like to extend my sincere Easter wishes to all students, faculty members, and professionals involved in the Master’s Programs in Healthcare. May this time represent an opportunity for personal and professional renewal, in view of the beginning of the new academic year, to be faced with enthusiasm, commitment, and openness to change.” — Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare.
On Monday, March 30, 2026, the Inauguration Ceremony of the 2025/2026 academic year of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma took place in the Aula Magna, marking the official start of educational activities and welcoming the new student community.
The day opened with institutional greetings from Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma and President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare, who highlighted the value of a continuously growing educational project, capable of engaging an increasing number of professionals from different areas of the health and social care system each year. Prof. Bonacaro emphasized how the Master’s programs represent a space for the development of advanced competencies, designed to address the emerging needs of contemporary healthcare through pathways structured across clinical, community, managerial, educational, and innovation areas.
During his speech, he also outlined the key distinguishing features of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare: person-centered care, interprofessional collaboration, quality and safety of care, the development of critical thinking and research skills, along with a strong focus on values such as equity, inclusion, and social responsibility. Particular attention was also given to the role of technologies, artificial intelligence, and new digital tools, underlining the importance of their conscious and critical integration into care processes.
This was followed by the institutional greetings of the Rector, Prof. Paolo Martelli, who extended his best wishes to the students at the beginning of their educational journey and reaffirmed the importance of advanced education for the development of healthcare professions and systems.
A central moment of the morning was the lectio magistralis delivered by Prof. Loredana Sasso, Full Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Genoa, entitled “Community and Advanced Nursing: The Contribution of the Profession to a Modern, Inclusive, and Resilient Healthcare System”.
In her lecture, Prof. Sasso reflected on the transformations currently affecting healthcare systems at a global level, characterized by increasingly complex demographic and social challenges, including population aging and the rise in chronic conditions. In this context, she highlighted the shift from a performance-based model to an approach focused on person-centered care, grounded in continuity of care, service integration, and patient centrality. Referring to key directions of the global health agenda, she emphasized the strategic role of primary care and the need for healthcare systems capable of ensuring accessibility, equity, and responsiveness to complex scenarios.
Within this framework, nursing emerges as a fundamental pillar, ensuring continuity, coordination of care pathways, and the promotion of patient autonomy. Significant attention was also given to the importance of advanced nursing education, considered essential for addressing emerging needs and developing competencies in managing complexity, ensuring continuity of care, and using data to support decision-making processes.
The lecture also addressed the theme of patient involvement, noting that it is still not fully integrated into decision-making and research processes, and highlighted the need to strengthen participatory models based on trust and collaboration. The morning concluded with a message to students, emphasizing education as a key driver to face future challenges and encouraging them to become professionals capable of combining competence, responsibility, and vision.
In the afternoon, the day continued with meetings between tutors and students of each Master’s program, aimed at presenting the educational offer, the organization of teaching activities, and the tools that will support students throughout the academic year.
The inauguration of March 30 thus marks the beginning of a new year of education, exchange, and professional growth, confirming the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma as a reference point for the development of competencies in healthcare professions.
On Friday, March 27, the second and final day of the Graduation Ceremony of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma took place, celebrating the completion of the educational pathways for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The morning session featured students from the First-Level Master’s in Palliative Care and Pain Therapy for Healthcare Professionals, the First-Level Master’s in Family and Community Nursing and Integrated Care for Public Health, and the Second-Level Master’s in Educational Strategies in Social and Healthcare Settings: European Standards and Innovation.
In the afternoon, the ceremony continued with the awarding of diplomas to students from the First-Level Master’s in Case/Care Management in Hospital and Community Settings for Healthcare Professionals, the Advanced Training Course in Infection Control Link Nurse, and the Second-Level Master’s in Management/Coordination of Healthcare-Associated Infection Risk Services.
Both sessions of the day were enriched by a lecture delivered by Prof. Stefano Bettati, Director of the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Parma, entitled “Interprofessionality and Patient-Centered Care: Added Value for a Competent, Compassionate and Contemporary Healthcare System?”. The lecture provided a reflection on the value of interprofessional collaboration and the importance of a person-centered approach in healthcare systems, highlighting the strategic role of advanced education in the development of health and social care services.
The ceremonies concluded with the awarding of diplomas, a symbolic moment marking an important milestone for the students, followed by the traditional group photos, an opportunity for sharing among graduates, faculty, and coordinators. With this day, the cycle of graduation ceremonies for the Master’s Programs in Healthcare comes to an end, reaffirming the value of educational pathways focused on advanced competencies, interprofessional collaboration, and the quality of care.
“This day represents the culmination of a journey of growth that brings together skills, values, and responsibilities. Our graduates are called to bring an increasingly integrated, innovative, and person-centered vision into healthcare settings.” — Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences, University of Parma, and President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare.
On Monday, March 23, the first of two days dedicated to the Graduation Ceremony of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma took place, marking the conclusion of the educational pathways for the 2024/2025 academic year. The morning session was dedicated to the First-Level Master’s in Critical Care Nursing, while the afternoon ceremony was held for the First-Level Master’s in Management of Healthcare-Associated Infection Risk.
Both sessions opened with welcome remarks by Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma and President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare, who highlighted the value of the educational journey and the importance of the competencies developed by students within health and social care services. This was followed by a lecture delivered by Prof. Elena Giovanna Bignami, Full Professor of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine at the University of Parma, entitled “Interprofessionality and Patient-Centered Care: Added Value for a Competent, Compassionate and Contemporary Healthcare System?”. The lecture offered a reflection on the role of interprofessional integration and the importance of a person-centered approach in today’s healthcare systems.
The ceremonies continued with the awarding of diplomas to the students, a symbolic moment marking the achievement of an important academic and professional milestone. Representing the graduates, a student spokesperson shared a message reflecting on the experience of the Master’s program and highlighting the personal and professional growth achieved throughout the journey. The day concluded with the traditional group photos, an opportunity for sharing and celebration among students, faculty, and coordinators.
“This day represents not only the conclusion of an educational journey, but also the beginning of a new professional phase for our students, who are called to bring skills, responsibility, and core values into healthcare settings for the future of health and social care services”. — Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma and President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare.
The next Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 27, with additional sessions planned both in the morning and in the afternoon to celebrate the completion of the remaining Master’s Programs in Healthcare.
The conference FINE Europe 2026 – Strengthening Nursing Education for a Safer Tomorrow, hosted by the University of Parma and dedicated to nursing education and the development of competencies in the health professions, concluded with strong international participation. For two days, Parma became a meeting point for the scientific and professional community in the field, welcoming around 200 participants from more than 30 countries across Europe and beyond. The event provided an important opportunity for dialogue among university lecturers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and students, all engaged in discussing the key challenges currently shaping the education and evolution of the nursing profession.
The scientific program featured more than 140 contributions, including oral presentations and posters, organized into several parallel thematic sessions. The discussions addressed central issues for the future of nursing education, such as the development of innovative pedagogical approaches, the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in educational processes, and the definition of shared educational standards at both European and international levels. The conference was promoted by the European Federation of Nurse Educators (FINE) in collaboration with the University of Parma, further strengthening the University’s role as a space for cooperation and dialogue between academic institutions and professional communities involved in the development of healthcare education.
The opening ceremony was attended by several institutional representatives, including Vincenzo Colla, Vice President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Massimo Fabi, Regional Councillor for Health Policies, Michele Guerra, Mayor of Parma, and Albertina Soliani, former Senator of the Italian Republic. Their presence highlighted the strategic importance of nursing education for strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring high-quality care for communities.
The success of the event was made possible through the collaboration of several structures within the University of Parma, including the Rector’s Office, the Press Office, the Ceremonial Unit, the SELMA Center, which managed the live streaming of the conference, and the Security Unit, which provided logistical support throughout the event. The opening ceremony was also enriched by musical performances organized by CAPAS – Center for Activities and Professions of the Arts and Performing Arts.
A particularly appreciated contribution came from the Students Ambassadors, students from the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Nursing at the University of Parma, who welcomed delegates and institutional guests and supported the organization of the conference with enthusiasm and professionalism.
“The extraordinary participation recorded – stated Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science at the University of Parma, Chair of the Scientific Committee of the conference, and President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare – demonstrates the growing importance of the debate on nursing education and the need to strengthen international academic cooperation. Events such as FINE Europe 2026 represent a key opportunity to share knowledge, promote educational innovation, and contribute to the development of safer and more effective healthcare systems”.
With FINE Europe 2026, the University of Parma further reinforces its commitment to promoting research, international collaboration, and innovation in the education of healthcare professionals, confirming its role as a reference point within the European landscape of nursing sciences.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Magnificent Rector, Prof. Paolo Martelli, and Prof. Cecile Dury, together with all members of the Executive Board of FINE Europe, for their incredible support and commitment in making this important international event possible”. — Antonio Bonacaro
As the 2024/2025 academic year approaches its conclusion, the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma are preparing for a particularly significant transition: on one side, the completion of the current educational activities and training pathways; on the other, the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, which will be officially inaugurated on Monday, March 30, 2026. This moment represents not only an organizational transition between two academic cycles but also an opportunity to reflect on some of the strategic directions that characterize the Master’s Programs in Healthcare, including the growing commitment to the internationalization of education.
In recent years, the Master’s Programs have developed an increasingly extensive network of academic and scientific relationships with universities, research centers, and international healthcare institutions. Scientific conferences, research collaborations, academic exchanges, and the participation of lecturers and speakers from different countries contribute to building a learning environment open to global dialogue. Internationalization represents a fundamental element for the growth of professionals in the health and social care sector. Engaging with different care models, healthcare systems, and educational approaches makes it possible to broaden perspectives on the transformations currently affecting services, fostering the development of increasingly advanced competencies that can be adapted to complex contexts.
From this perspective, the Master’s Programs in Healthcare promote an educational approach that integrates both local and international dimensions, encouraging dialogue among diverse experiences and supporting students’ participation in initiatives with a global outlook. The aim is to train professionals who are able not only to operate effectively within local healthcare services but also to understand the transformations taking place in healthcare systems at both the European and international levels.
The inaugural day on March 30, 2026 will therefore be an opportunity to welcome new students and share the perspectives of the upcoming academic year, reaffirming the role of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare as a space for advanced education, research, and international cooperation in the field of health, social care, and community services.
On March 5–6, the University of Parma will host the international conference FINE Europe 2026 – Strengthening Nursing Education for a Safer Tomorrow, one of the most important scientific events dedicated to nursing education at the European and international level.
The event will bring together more than 200 delegates from numerous European countries and other international contexts, providing a space for dialogue among lecturers, researchers, professionals, and students on the key challenges related to the development of nursing education and the evolution of care models. The conference will include a plenary session and five parallel sessions, featuring more than 140 scientific contributions, including oral presentations and posters, along with keynote lectures from internationally recognized professionals.
During a radio interview with Radio Duchessa, Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma and promoter of the initiative, highlighted the scientific and educational value of the conference: “This conference is addressed to a very broad audience: lecturers, researchers, tutors, and professionals, but also the large student community of our University. It will be an important opportunity to reflect on the most relevant issues concerning the evolution of teaching and nursing education”.
The initiative represents an important opportunity for international dialogue, where educational models, academic experiences, and care practices from different contexts can be compared, contributing to the development of new perspectives for the profession. During the interview, Prof. Bonacaro also emphasized how Italy is playing an increasingly significant role in the scientific field of nursing sciences: “In recent years, our country has begun to play a leading role in nursing sciences, thanks to the development of doctoral schools and a growing scientific production, supported by increasingly strong collaborations with universities and research centers abroad”.
Among the topics that will be discussed during the conference is the study of innovative care models, capable of responding more effectively to citizens’ needs and to the transformations of healthcare systems: “We are witnessing growing attention toward innovative care models designed to provide more timely and effective responses to people’s needs, also through the development of advanced nursing competencies”.
The conference therefore represents a significant opportunity not only for the academic and professional communities but also to strengthen the dialogue between research, education, and health and social care services, promoting a vision of the nursing profession increasingly oriented toward innovation, international collaboration, and quality of care.
The University of Parma will host the International Conference “FINE Europe 2026 – Strengthening Nursing Education for a Safer Tomorrow” on March 5 and 6, one of the leading biennial scientific events dedicated to nursing education at both European and international levels.
Promoted by the European Federation of Educators in Nursing Science (FINE) in collaboration with the University, the conference represents a platform for dialogue and cooperation among lecturers, researchers, managers, and professionals from universities and academic institutions across Europe and beyond, with more than 140 scientific contributions presented to the academic community. The initiative involves the direct participation of Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma, as Organizer and Chair of the Conference Scientific Committee. The sessions will address strategic topics for the future of the nursing profession and advanced education, including governance and leadership in training pathways, curriculum development, quality and innovation in teaching, interprofessional education, and transversal skills, as well as the humanistic and cultural dimensions of teaching.
The opening session, scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m., will feature institutional greetings from the Rector of the University of Parma, Paolo Martelli, the Regional Councillor for Health Policies of Emilia-Romagna, Massimo Fabi, Senator Albertina Soliani, and the Mayor of Parma, Michele Guerra. The conference aims to promote advanced scientific dialogue, encouraging the sharing of best practices, innovative models, and strategies for harmonising educational policies in nursing at the European level, with a focus on the global challenges of contemporary healthcare.
The University of Parma celebrated the first edition of the Awards for the Development of Innovative Teaching during a ceremony held in the Aula Magna at the University’s main campus. The initiative, promoted by the University to recognize faculty members’ commitment to experimenting with new and meaningful teaching practices, awarded both individual projects and group proposals that introduced advanced educational methodologies aligned with students’ needs and the challenges of contemporary teaching.
Among the individual award recipients is Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma, recognized for his commitment to innovating teaching practices and for integrating active, participatory learning approaches aimed at building professional competencies.
The awarding of this recognition reflects the University’s strong focus on teaching models capable of responding to the needs of advanced educational pathways and enhancing the learning experience for students. Within the Master in Healthcare programmes, educational innovation translates into a training offer that combines theory and practice, the use of educational technologies, Project Work and opportunities for professional dialogue, with the aim of developing high-level competencies. At a time when education for healthcare and social care professions is required to continuously evolve in response to transformations within the socio-healthcare system, the promotion of innovative teaching experiences represents a key factor in improving teaching effectiveness and the quality of acquired skills.
In this context, it is worth noting that applications for the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma are open until January 30, offering the opportunity to enroll in highly specialized training pathways that combine advanced learning with practical skills for today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare system.
“It is a true honor to have received this recognition, for which I am immensely grateful. This award for innovative teaching is not only a personal acknowledgment, but also a confirmation of the direction we want to give to the Master in Healthcare programmes: high-quality education, the development of skills applicable within healthcare and social services, and a continuous dialogue between academic knowledge and professional experience, fully aligned with the University’s strategic guidelines”. Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes – University of Parma
The tragic shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse in Minneapolis, has caused shock and deep sadness, particularly within the professional nursing community. Pretti, known by family, colleagues and friends as a compassionate healthcare provider dedicated to patient care, was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.
The incident occurred amid widespread protests against federal immigration enforcement actions and has heightened national tensions over the use of force by law enforcement. The shooting of Pretti has led to public outcry and renewed calls for transparency and accountability in how the events unfolded.
As a nursing and health-care community, we are saddened and deeply affected by what happened. The nursing profession is founded on profound ethical values, including the protection of life, safeguarding the most vulnerable, and respect for human dignity. In moments of great sorrow such as this, we extend our solidarity to those affected and reaffirm the importance of conducting objective, transparent and thorough investigations so that the circumstances can be clearly understood.
“As the community of the Master’s programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma, we express our deepest sympathy to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy. We join in the call for truth and clarity, without any form of political instrumentalisation, in respect of human dignity and the ethical values that guide our profession.” – Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master’s programmes in Healthcare
