Milan, January 23 – Two dedicated nurses from Biella ASL Hospital, Alessio Bernardi, 42, and Elisa Michela Della Selva, 32, have been selected to join the medical team for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Both have been serving in the Resuscitation Department since 2020 and will be instrumental in providing healthcare services throughout the prestigious international sporting event.
Collaboration with ASST Niguarda Milan
Their participation is facilitated through an agreement with ASST Niguarda of Milan, the leading entity responsible for the event’s healthcare organization. This arrangement mandates twelve-hour shifts for a minimum of five days, ensuring continuous and comprehensive medical support during the Games.
Fabio Bertoncini, Director of Healthcare Professions (DiPSa), expressed immense pride in the nurses’ involvement. “As the Directorate of Healthcare Professions, we are proud to have staff who choose to make their skills available in extra-hospital contexts of national and international significance,” Bertoncini stated. “Experiences like this represent an important opportunity for professional growth, allow for comparison with other realities, and contribute to making our Company attractive to those who wish to combine high clinical specialization with quality of life.”
Professional Growth and Experience
For both Bernardi and Della Selva, the Olympic experience offers a unique platform for professional development. It will allow them to interact with colleagues from diverse healthcare institutions and gain direct insight into the intricate healthcare organization required for a major event. This exposure is expected to bring positive repercussions in terms of procedures, operational methods, and teamwork, which they can then integrate into their daily practice at Biella ASL Hospital.
Elisa Michela Della Selva, in particular, brings a wealth of experience from international emergency contexts. She has previously participated in rescue operations following the earthquake in Turkey and took part in a simulation exercise in Lisbon that involved rebuilding a field hospital after a catastrophic event. This background underscores her readiness for the demanding environment of the Olympic Games.
Local Roots and Personal Passions
Both nurses share a strong connection to the Biella region and its mountainous landscape. They are avid winter sports enthusiasts and chose to return to Biella after a period in Milan, drawn by the opportunity to balance their professional lives with their passion for nature and outdoor activities. This personal alignment with the spirit of winter sports further enhances their suitability for the Milan-Cortina Games.
Biella ASL Hospital’s Commitment to Growth
The participation of Bernardi and Della Selva is not an isolated event but rather a reflection of Biella ASL Hospital’s long-standing commitment to fostering professional growth and specialization among its staff. Unlike many other healthcare organizations, Biella ASL has for years engaged in projects and agreements that involve its personnel in external contexts. This includes collaborations for radiological services in Lake Maggiore and Valle d’Aosta, as well as providing assistance at sporting events, such as those at the Juventus women’s stadium.
This organizational strategy provides staff with additional opportunities for development and specialization, simultaneously strengthening the hospital’s role within the regional healthcare system. It highlights a forward-thinking approach that values continuous learning and exposure to diverse medical environments.
Impact on Local Healthcare
The knowledge and experience gained by these nurses at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games are expected to have a tangible positive impact on the quality of care provided at Biella ASL Hospital. By observing and implementing best practices from a large-scale international event, they will contribute to enhancing the hospital’s operational efficiency, emergency response protocols, and overall team effectiveness.
The hospital’s proactive engagement in such initiatives not only benefits its employees but also reinforces its reputation as an attractive institution for healthcare professionals seeking advanced specialization and a high quality of life. This strategic vision aligns with the broader goals of regional healthcare improvement and innovation.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics represent a significant opportunity for these two Biella nurses to contribute their expertise on a global stage, bringing valuable experience back to their local community and further elevating the standards of healthcare in the Biella region.
