The future of the Italian healthcare system is increasingly dependent on a new generation of clinicians and caregivers capable of navigating a demographic shift toward an aging population. In Cremona, this transition took center stage during the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 academic year for the professioni sanitarie (health professions) programs at the University of Brescia.
Gathered in the Aula Magna of the Cremona Hospital, 279 students across three specialized degree paths—Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Health Assistance—marked the beginning of a journey that is as much about clinical skill as it is about social responsibility. The event, attended by university leadership, regional health directors, and municipal officials, served as a reminder that the training of these professionals is no longer just an academic exercise, but a critical infrastructure project for the region’s public health.
As a physician, I recognize that the arrival of these students comes at a pivotal moment. Italy is facing a systemic shortage of healthcare personnel, particularly in nursing, which has created a precarious gap in both hospital care and community-based assistance. The commitment of these students to enter the “care professions” represents a vital infusion of human capital into a system struggling to balance increasing patient complexity with a shrinking workforce.
Addressing the Crisis of Longevity and Fragility
The academic year opened with a lectio magistralis delivered by Alessandro Morandi, Associate Professor of Geriatrics at the University of Brescia, titled “Longevity and Healthy Aging.” Morandi’s presentation shifted the focus from the mere extension of life to the quality of those additional years, emphasizing a holistic approach to geriatric care.
The statistics presented highlight the staggering scale of the challenge facing the National Health Service (SSN). Currently, approximately 32.3% of individuals over the age of 65 live with severe chronic pathologies or multimorbidity—a figure that climbs to 47.7% for those over 85. Across the country, an estimated 3.8 million elderly citizens suffer from a severe reduction in autonomy for daily activities, with roughly one million requiring constant assistance or specialized aids for personal care.
Morandi argued that the role of the student is decisive in this landscape. He pointed to initiatives like “frAgilità al Centro,” promoted by the Fondazione Longevitas ETS in collaboration with the Lombardy Region, where students participated in screenings and awareness campaigns. Such integration between the university and the territory allows for the early detection of cognitive deficits and the promotion of preventive measures that can delay the onset of total dependency.
A Robust Pipeline to Employment
Despite the challenges of the training period, the professional outlook for those entering the professioni sanitarie remains exceptionally strong. Ezio Belleri, Director General of ASST Cremona, noted that the employment rates for these graduates are among the highest in the higher education sector.
Data indicates that over 84% of new graduates are integrated into the workforce within one year of completing their degree, with some disciplines seeing placement rates nearing 90%. While Physiotherapy remains a highly sought-after path, Belleri emphasized that Nursing is currently the most critical need for hospitals and local health districts to combat chronic staffing shortages.
The training ecosystem in Cremona is designed to mirror the reality of the clinic. The University of Brescia has established a dense network of support to ensure that theoretical knowledge is immediately applied in a clinical setting. This is supported by a significant ratio of mentors to students, ensuring that the “art of care” is passed down through direct supervision.
| Course of Study | Student Enrollment | Faculty/Staff Support |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Sciences | 152 | 193 Professors (Total) |
| Physiotherapy | 92 | 575 Internship Assistants |
| Health Assistance | 35 | Clinical/Professional Tutors |
| Total | 279 | 768+ Educators |
Integrating Hospital and Territory
A recurring theme of the ceremony was the necessity of breaking down the walls between the hospital and the community. Stefano Manfredi, Director General of ATS Val Padana, highlighted the specific role of Health Assistants in prevention and health education. The goal is to move away from a reactive “sick-care” model toward a proactive “health-care” model where the community is the primary site of intervention.
This vision is echoed by the students themselves. Giorgia Pedrinazzi, representing the Health Assistance students, described the path as one of significant responsibility. She noted that the various disciplines are learning to work as a single integrated system, emphasizing that the future of healthcare lies in the seamless transition of a patient from an acute hospital ward to a home-based rehabilitation program.
The city of Cremona is further investing in this infrastructure. Plans are underway for a new hospital and the potential activation of a Degree in Medicine, both of which are expected to increase the territory’s attractiveness for young professionals and strengthen the local healthcare ecosystem.
Supporting the Next Generation
The ceremony similarly recognized the financial and emotional support systems that sustain students. Scholarships were awarded in memory of Mariangela Folesani to Elisa Cavalera and Zamira Selenica, both second-year Nursing students. Additional support is provided through the Telli Prize for the best thesis in Physiotherapy and scholarships from the “Siamo Noi” Association for Nursing excellence.
These awards underscore a community-wide investment in healthcare education. When local foundations and private donors support medical students, they are essentially investing in the future health of their own neighbors, and families.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For health concerns or professional guidance, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.
The academic year now moves into its clinical phase, with students beginning their rotations across the ASST Cremona network. The next major milestone for the local health system will be the further development of the new hospital project and the formal review of the proposal to introduce a local medical degree, which would complete the educational pipeline for the region’s healthcare workforce.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the current state of healthcare staffing and the importance of geriatric specialization in the comments below.
