IAP256: Inspired by Ancestral Gratitude- The Story of Dr. Rosemary Intili Ferdinand

Sometimes in life, we have occasions to pause and take stock of the good we can do in the world around us. For this week's guest, it was two particular occasions (when she received TWO double lung transplants at University of South Florida-Tampa General Hospital) that inspired her to say "Grazie" to both the hospital that saved her life and the ancestral island that gave it its culture! Dr. Rosemary Intili Ferdinand's ancestors came from Cerami, Sicily, and her family's traditions have been a part of her life from a young age. A nurse by profession, Rosemary wanted to do something to unite the heritage she loved with the career that became her passion. Through her efforts, the University of South Florida's Health College of Nursing is now expanding its educational reach through new collaborations with two universities in Sicily: Kore University of Enna and the University of Catania. A program you too can support today! Rosemary shares how finding the Italian American Podcast helped to inspire this amazing undertaking, and explains how this program will help create deeper ties between the institutions, such as establishing visits and exchanges of faculty, scholars, and administrators as well as fostering the development of research collaborations, lectures, and symposia, among other initiatives designed to strengthen this newly created bond. We also discuss why an initiative such as this is vital for Southern Italy, especially when it's younger generations are moving to more affluent areas in search of work. And, we'll examine what learning in today's global environment could look like, and why it is important for the Italian diaspora to do what it can to help the Madre Patria. Join us for a very special episode that will leave you inspired by "Ancestral Gratitude" and the good works one "passionate Paesana" can achieve!