Dr. Giuseppe Mascetta, attending surgeon in our unit, passed away at only 42 years old, after a long fight against cancer. 

Born and raised in Pescara, Dr. Mascetta attained his medical degree cum laude in 1998 from the University of Chieti. Afterwards, he worked in the molecular oncology laboratory of the Lega Italiana per la Lotta Contro i Tumori (Pescara section), as well as in the cell signal laboratory of the Mario Negri Consortium South, Lanciano. He received his certification in General Surgery in 2006 from the University of Verona, under the mentorship of Prof. Pederzoli and Prof. Bassi. During his residency, he spent a year at the Department of Visceral Surgery and Transplantation, University of Heidelberg, and participated to different research projects on the role of pain mediators in chronic pancreatitis. In 2006, he was appointed attending surgeon at the “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, IRCSS S. Giovanni Rotondo. In 2009 he moved back to Verona to cover an attending position at the Unit of Pancreatic Surgery. Soon after, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Dr. Mascetta faced his disease with unsurpassed courage. He underwent several surgeries to remove the tumor, but was perfectly able to work until few months before his death. His compassionate care and attention to patients, as well as his strength and dignity will serve as an example for all of us, and will never be forgotten.