On the Front Line Against the Virus

This moment is dramatic for everyone, but if you work in the health sector it is even worse, at any level. Federico Guidoni, SDA Bocconi Master in Healthcare Management class of 2003/2004, is the CEO of Korian Italy, the national branch of the French giant which, with 850 structures including residences for the elderly, nursing homes, rehabilitation clinics, polyclinics, home care and apartments for the elderly, is leader in Europe.

"Our days are punctuated, among other things, by the official declarations of the Prime Minister and the governors of the regions", explains Guidoni, "because every new provision involves an adaptation of our actions and sometimes it is not easy to extricate ourselves as we try to convert the indications into actions, as they are not always consistent across all regions."

In Italy Korian is present with around 70 facilities and services in 10 regions, overseeing the entire supply chain of the group. "We are operating in a situation of great emergency and difficulty at all levels, we have organized a crisis unit that also involves the other European countries. We are the leaders in it, having the greatest experience considering that Covid-19 has manifested in a very aggressive way in our country ", Guidoni continues," and this is a great responsibility, but at the same time it is a stimulus to give our best".

Working with a managerial role in a sector like this, especially in a situation that no one would have ever imagined having to face, poses difficult choices because they also involve the human aspect. “Limiting access to facilities means taking away the comfort of visits by family members, which for many are the most keenly awaited moment, but we have tried to remedy this by providing the Residences with smartphones with which the elderly can make video calls, supported by the staff, "says Guidoni. “And it's nice when, as happened the other day, you receive a letter from a family member who compliments you on how you are trying to protect everyone. And also seeing the response of the staff, with very low absenteeism rates, makes you understand the sense of responsibility and professionalism of everyone working in the large Korian family.”

“In our facilities in Italy we have strongly contained and avoided the spread of the virus," thanks also ", the manager recalls," to our timeliness since already on February 22, before the official provisions, we had put in place preventive measures ".

As for the SDA Master, Guidoni has only positive memories: "It was fundamental for my career and also for the network of people that it allowed me to build and with whom I collaborate even in these difficult circumstances".