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OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR FOR THE MASTER IN HEALTHCARE PROGRAMMES

February 20, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

On March 30, the opening ceremony of the new academic year of the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma will take place, marking the official start of educational activities and the beginning of a new path of growth for students, faculty members, and professionals involved.

The event represents an important opportunity for meeting and sharing within the entire Master in Healthcare community, offering a space for reflection on the value of advanced education in the healthcare and social care context and on the challenges facing health professionals. The opening ceremony will also be an opportunity to reaffirm the University’s commitment to promoting high-quality educational pathways that integrate scientific knowledge, practical skills, and attention to the needs of individuals and communities.

During the day, the objectives of the academic year, the main development lines of the training programmes, and the opportunities offered to students in terms of learning, interdisciplinary exchange, and professional growth will be presented. The meeting will also encourage dialogue between coordinators and participants, strengthening the sense of belonging to a community focused on innovation and continuous improvement of services.

The opening ceremony on March 30 marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Master in Healthcare programmes, confirming their role as a privileged space for education, research, and skills development to address the transformations of the healthcare system with responsibility and vision.

Further information about the event programme will be communicated in the coming days.

FINE EUROPE 2026 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PARMA

February 19, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

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.

PROGRAMME

TOWARDS THE CONCLUSION OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR

February 12, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

The academic year of the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma is drawing to a close, following months of intensive training activities, study and field-based practice. It has been a journey that engaged students, faculty members and professionals in continuous growth, in-depth learning and the development of competencies aimed at enhancing the quality of health and social care services.

As the programmes approach their conclusion, a particularly significant phase now begins: the discussion of the Project Work, which represents the outcome of the work carried out throughout the year. The Project Work is a central component of the training pathway, as it allows students to apply the tools they have acquired in a concrete way and to propose innovative solutions for services. The discussion of the projects will be followed by the final graduation ceremony, a symbolic and shared moment in which students, faculty members, coordinators and families come together to celebrate the completion of the academic journey. The graduation ceremony represents not only the formal recognition of the achievement reached, but also an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment, dedication and personal and professional growth of the participants.

This concluding step marks the beginning of a new phase for the graduates of the Master in Healthcare programmes, who are now called to bring the competencies, values and experiences gained throughout the programme into their professional contexts. The Master in Healthcare programmes thus reaffirm their role as a space for advanced education, professional networking and continuous development, supporting professionals throughout their growth journey.

Further details regarding the schedule of the Project Work discussions and the graduation ceremony will be communicated soon. These events will represent an important moment of sharing for the entire Master in Healthcare community.

INNOVATION IN INTERGENERATIONAL CARE MODELS

February 6, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

In a health and social care context increasingly shaped by population ageing, multiple vulnerabilities and complex care needs, intergenerational care models are emerging as effective approaches to promote integration, social cohesion and widespread well-being. These models aim not only to respond to the health needs of older adults, but also to build networks of relationships among different generations, healthcare services and communities, in order to support quality of life, social participation and continuity of care.

Innovation in intergenerational care models is based on key elements such as:

co-design of services involving older adults, family members, caregivers and citizens;
integration between health and social care services and community services, fostering exchange and synergy across different levels of care;
relational and social support programmes;
personalised care approaches that value the life stories, skills and aspirations of the people receiving care.

Experiences implemented in different contexts show how building broad and collaborative networks can reduce social isolation, improve the management of chronic conditions and strengthen community resources for health promotion. These models offer valuable insights not only for direct elderly care, but also for the social cohesion of entire communities.

The Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma address issues related to innovation in care pathways, with particular attention to dynamics involving diverse populations and integrated services. The analysis and design of intergenerational models are key features of the training programmes, providing students with the tools to understand, develop and evaluate integrated, sustainable and person-centred interventions.

The ability to interpret emerging needs, engage with complex service networks and promote participatory processes represents a key competence for professionals who wish to contribute to the evolution of health and social care systems.

“BEYOND THE WHITE COAT”: A NEW BOOK BY LEOPOLDO SARLI

February 3, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

“Beyond the White Coat” is the newly published book by Leopoldo Sarli, Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Parma. The volume offers a broad and articulated reflection on the deeper meaning of caring, going beyond the purely technical dimension of the healthcare profession.

The book weaves together experiences, contexts and perspectives, guiding readers along a journey that spans diverse places and situations: from highly specialized hospital settings to care contexts in areas of the world marked by social fragility, and from community services to spaces dedicated to education and research. Through this journey, health emerges as the result of an encounter between different bodies of knowledge, cultures, relationships and life experiences.

Beyond the White Coat invites readers to rethink care as a process that does not end with the clinical act alone, but rather involves listening, sharing, responsibility and the construction of meaning. Healthcare practice is thus reinterpreted as a profoundly human and social experience, capable of generating knowledge, justice and awareness for both those who provide care and those who receive it. The volume aligns closely with the values that have long inspired the Master in Healthcare programmes, promoting a vision of education as a space for critical reflection, interdisciplinary dialogue and the development of competencies that bring together technical expertise, ethics and humanity.

A book presentation event with the author is currently being planned and will offer students and professionals the opportunity to further explore the themes of the book and engage in direct dialogue with Leopoldo Sarli. Further details regarding the date and format of the event will be communicated soon.

“Beyond the White Coat is a book that calls on all of us to look at healthcare in its most authentic dimension: the encounter between people, knowledge and responsibility. It is a valuable contribution for those involved in education and for those working in services, as it encourages the integration of professional competence and humanity, fully in line with the vision of the Master in Healthcare programmes”. — Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes, University of Parma

INNOVATIVE TEACHING AWARD: RECOGNITION FOR ANTONIO BONACARO

January 28, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

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 SHOOTING OF ALEX PRETTI: SHOCK AND SOLIDARITY

January 27, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

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

THE ROLE OF THE CASE MANAGER IN CARE NETWORKS

January 23, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

In today’s social and healthcare services landscape, integration between hospital and community care and the effective management of care pathways represent one of the main challenges in ensuring continuity, quality, and appropriateness of care. In this context, the role of the Case Manager emerges as a key element in coordinating and supporting patients’ clinical and social pathways, promoting a person-centered approach focused on individual needs.

The Case Manager operates across different care settings with the aim of facilitating continuity of care, reducing service fragmentation, and ensuring integrated management of complex needs. This professional figure acts as a link between different levels of care, contributing to the reduction of avoidable hospital admissions, the effective management of chronic conditions, and the promotion of personalized care pathways.

The Case Manager role requires a combination of clinical, organizational, and relational competencies, including:

clinical skills to understand and interpret health needs;
coordination skills to organize complex interventions;
communication skills to encourage active participation of individuals in their own care pathways;
the ability to work within multidisciplinary teams, fostering cohesion among professionals from different sectors.

The Master’s Programme in Case / Case Management in Hospital and Community Settings for Healthcare Professionals at the University of Parma responds precisely to the need to train professionals capable of undertaking this role with competence and strategic vision. The educational pathway integrates:

up-to-date theoretical knowledge on the dynamics of integrated care;
methodological tools for managing complex cases;
practical exercises, Project Work, and simulations that make the training immediately applicable in everyday service practice;
opportunities for dialogue and exchange with professionals and operational settings.

Participating in the Master’s Programme means acquiring skills that are increasingly required by today’s care models, which are characterized by growing clinical complexity, service fragmentation, and the need for strong coordination between hospital and community care. In a social and healthcare system that is evolving toward increasingly integrated models of care, the Case Manager represents not only a functional response to care needs, but also a bridge between professions, contexts, and services.

THE HEALTHCARE MASTER’S PROGRAMMES: AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THE SKILLS OF THE FUTURE

January 21, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

Applications for the Healthcare Master’s programmes at the University of Parma are open until January 30. These advanced training pathways are designed to address the current and future challenges of the social and healthcare system. In a context marked by organisational transformation, technological innovation, the development of community-based care and the increasing complexity of health needs, investing in advanced education represents a strategic choice for healthcare professionals.

The Healthcare Master’s programmes offer a multidisciplinary approach, combining solid theoretical foundations with project work, practical exercises, case studies and opportunities for discussion and exchange among faculty members, students and professionals. The curricula address key areas such as service management, leadership, research, patient safety, sustainability, organisational innovation and the development of transversal skills required to operate effectively in complex settings.

Taking part in a Healthcare Master’s programme means joining a dynamic learning community, where dialogue between academic knowledge and professional experience supports both individual and collective growth. Participants have the opportunity to develop skills that can be immediately applied in practice, strengthen their analytical and decision-making abilities, and acquire tools to lead change within healthcare and social care organisations.

With applications open until January 30, now is the time to invest in your professional pathway and actively contribute to the evolution of the healthcare system. The Healthcare Master’s programmes at the University of Parma represent a concrete opportunity for those who wish to expand their skills, take on new challenges and become key drivers of innovation in health and social care services.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY NURSING: ADVANCED EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE

January 21, 2026 Federica Sorrentino

The Master’s Programme in Family and Community Nursing, part of the Master in Healthcare courses at the University of Parma, represents a highly relevant educational pathway for strengthening community-based care and for the evolution of models of care for individuals, families, and communities. In a socio-healthcare context increasingly focused on proximity, service integration, and continuity of care, the role of the family and community nurse plays a strategic part in health promotion, prevention, and the management of complex population needs.

The Master’s Programme is fully embedded in this scenario, offering advanced education that integrates clinical, organizational, relational, and public health competencies. It prepares professionals to operate in community settings, work within multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable healthcare services.

Within this framework of openness and dialogue, on February 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a study morning and roundtable discussion dedicated to the role of the family and community nurse will take place. The event is conceived as an inter-university study day, involving the University of Parma together with international partner universities, including the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and the University of Rio de Janeiro.

During the morning, academics and experts will share contributions and reflections on community-based care models, the competencies of family and community nurses, and the future development of the profession at both national and international levels. The exchange between different experiences and contexts will provide a valuable opportunity for dialogue and mutual enrichment, in line with the international vocation of the Master in Healthcare programmes.

The study day will also include the participation of professionals from the Local Health Authorities of Piacenza and Parma, who will share contributions and experiences developed within community care settings, offering a concrete perspective on the evolving role of the family and community nurse in healthcare services. The Master’s Programme is also built upon the continuous contribution of faculty members and students, who play a central role in a learning pathway based on the integration of academic knowledge and professional experience, critical reflection, and the shared development of competencies aimed at strengthening community-based care.

This initiative confirms the commitment of the Master in Healthcare programmes to promoting high-quality education that is attentive to changes within the socio-healthcare system and capable of enhancing the role of healthcare professions in building services that are increasingly close to people and communities.

“Investing in the education of family and community nurses means investing in a healthcare model that is closer to people, capable of responding in an integrated and continuous way to the health needs of communities. This Master’s Programme represents a fundamental element in supporting the ongoing transformation of community-based services,” emphasizes Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma.

PROGRAMME OF THE STUDY DAY