#TalentiUniSR: Annalisa Bernabei

At just 27, Annalisa Bernabei graduated in Medicine from UniSR, passed the steps for American qualification, was selected as a visiting student for three rotations "hands on" in cardiothoracic surgery from Harvard Medical School in Boston and Icahn School of Medicine in New York; in addition, she was spotted by the Harvard cardiac surgery team at Brigham and Women's Hospital and, before she even graduated, she was proposed to return as a Junior Fellow. A #TalentiUniSR who has recently received further recognition: to be among the 100 young people under 30 leaders of the future according to the Forbes ranking. She currently resides in Boston but, speaking of the pandemic emergency, declares: "Given the delicate international and especially Italian health situation, I am seriously considering returning to Italy to give my contribution as a volunteer doctor".

Annalisa Bernabei

I attended the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University from 2011 to 2017. I became very passionate about Cardiac Surgery and in the third year I started my internship with Prof. Alfieri. In the meantime, after passing the steps for American qualification, in the sixth year of the course, I was selected as a visiting student for three "hands on" rotations in cardiothoracic surgery from Harvard Medical School in Boston and from the Icahn School of Medicine in New York. I was spotted by the Harvard cardiac surgery team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and, before I even graduated, I was proposed to return as a Junior Fellow

I decided to enroll in Medicine with the idea of ​​becoming a surgeon. The day of the San Raffaele Open Day was decisive in my university choice. I was stunned by the presentation of Dr. Thsomba, a vascular surgeon, who illustrated what the real life of the surgeon was and what to expect after taking that path seriously. It was clear that San Raffaele aimed at a teaching approach not only theoretical, but also, and above all, highly practical, which was exactly what I was looking for

Certainly the possibility of entering the department to gain practical experience from a very young age. It was thanks to a summer internship in orthopedics in the first year of the course that I set foot in the operating room for the first time. The ability, later, to work in Prof. Alfieri's department for a long time allowed me to develop early a specific level of preparation far superior to my overseas "peers"

After a short period of research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (MN) as a Research Trainee in Cardiac Surgery with Dr. Crestanello, I landed in Boston (MA) as a Junior Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I am part of the Cardiac Surgery team and I manage all aspects of the department, from intensive cardiac surgery, to consultations, to the operating room. However, given the delicate international and especially Italian health situation, I am seriously considering returning to Italy to give my contribution as a volunteer doctor

In my experience, what makes the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University "special" is the combination of highly qualified international teachers and cutting-edge facilities. San Raffaele is recognized as a leading center also abroad and this certainly facilitates networking with colleagues from all over the world

Determination and endurance in working on long-term goals. I have a past as a competitive swimmer that has certainly influenced my character since I was very young

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get” (Michael Phelps)

Become an excellent cardiac surgeon and actively contribute to the future evolution of this sector of medical science