50 Years of Building Bridges: Historic Medical Conference Unites Continents, Disciplines, and Generations in Service of Global Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 10, 2025 – For half a century, bridges have been built—invisible but unbreakable connections spanning the Atlantic, linking Italian medical tradition with American innovation, and transforming scientific discovery into human healing. On Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 8:30-10:00 AM at the Washington Hilton (Georgetown West Room, Concourse Level), those bridges converge at the SHRO Giovan Giacomo Giordano Medical Conference, opening the National Italian American Foundation’s historic 50th Anniversary Gala Weekend.

The conference theme—”BRIDGE” (Biomedical Research Innovation Delivering Global Healthcare Excellence)—embodies NIAF’s founding mission: the greatest achievements emerge when we unite cultures, continents, and fields of knowledge to serve humanity.

“When NIAF was founded in 1975, and when I founded SHRO in 1993, we shared the same dream: creating bridges between continents, between laboratory discovery and patient healing, between generations,” said Dr. Antonio Giordano, MD, PhD, President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization and Professor at Temple University and University of Siena. “This conference celebrates 50 years of bridge-building that has saved lives, advanced science, and proven that Italian and Italian-American healthcare leaders continue lighting the path forward for the entire world.”

“As Vice President of SHRO, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the partnership between Italian and American institutions creates exponential impact,” said Giancarlo Arra, Vice President of SHRO. “This conference isn’t just a celebration—it’s proof that when we build bridges between Philadelphia, Siena, Naples and Candiolo, between NIAF’s community and SHRO’s laboratories, we create a force multiplier for medical innovation that serves patients worldwide.”

These bridges manifest across five critical dimensions:

Five Bridges That Change Lives

The conference showcases bridge-building across five critical dimensions:

Between Countries: Dr. Giordano’s laboratories span Temple University and the University of Siena, Naples, SHRO Italia, where scientists collaborate on cancer research crossing borders. Francesco Rocca, Governor of Regione Lazio and former President of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2017-2023), coordinated humanitarian responses across 192 nations during COVID-19, natural disasters, and conflicts affecting millions.

Between Medical Disciplines: The symposium unites translational gynecology, reproductive immunology, robotic surgery, and sport genomics—proving breakthroughs accelerate when fields converge.

Between Suffering and Healing: Approximately 190 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis, waiting 8-10 years for diagnosis. Dr. Andrea Vidali, MD—world-renowned endometriosis surgeon and founder of Endometriosis Surgical Specialists International—has dedicated 25 years to bridging dismissed pain and restored fertility. His keynote “Mastering Endometriosis” reveals revolutionary surgical approaches transforming women’s lives.

“As Director of SHRO’s Clinical and Translational Medicine Program, I see women’s health as one of medicine’s greatest opportunities and most urgent responsibilities,” said Dr. Canio Martinelli, MD. “Conditions like endometriosis have been understudied, underfunded, and misunderstood for too long. Dr. Vidali’s recognition today isn’t just an award—it’s a statement that women’s suffering matters. Every breakthrough honored today began with a mentor believing in a young scientist. Dr. Giordano believed in me, taught me that research without clinical application is incomplete. Now I have the privilege of mentoring the next generation. This is the bridge between generations that ensures progress accelerates rather than resets.”

Between Past and Future: Italian Renaissance physicians would recognize their intellectual descendants in today’s speakers.

Between People: Every medical breakthrough bridges one person who suffers and another dedicated to healing. Every conference attendee—researcher or aspiring student—joins a network of bridge-builders advancing global health.

Conference Program Highlights

8.30 AM – Introduction from Antonio Giordano and greetings from the President of NIAF Robert V. Allegrini, President, NIAF, Dominic A. Caglioti, Executive Committee, NIAF, Joseph Gulino, Executive Committee, NIAF, Alan A. D’Ambrosio, Executive Committee, NIAF and Joseph V. Del Raso, Board of Director, NIAF.

8:50 AM – Healthcare Leadership Award to Governor Francesco Rocca

9:10 AM – Translational Gynecology Program bridging lab research to patient care (Dr. Canio Martinelli)

9:15 AM – Giovan Giacomo Giordano Award for Medical Excellence to Dr. Andrea Vidali

9:20 AM – Keynote: “Mastering Endometriosis” (Dr. Andrea Vidali)

9:40 AM – Sport Genomics: Precision Medicine in Athletics (Shendi Shani, MSc)

A Living Legacy

Founded in 1975, NIAF represents over 20 million Italian Americans, having awarded millions in scholarships and strengthening US-Italy ties across culture, science, and diplomacy. SHRO, established in 1993, operates laboratories at Temple University and the University of Siena with 200+ scientists producing 600+ publications and 20 patents advancing cancer treatment. Dr. Giordano’s discovery of tumor suppressor gene pRb2/p130 has transformed cancer diagnosis worldwide.

The conference launches NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala Weekend, continuing with the NIAF Forum (public events), Campari Cocktail Reception (5:30 PM), and black-tie Gala Dinner (7:00 PM) featuring tenor Andrea Bocelli and Stellantis Chair John Elkann.

CONFERENCE DETAILS:

Event: SHRO Giovan Giacomo Giordano Medical Conference – “BRIDGE”

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 | Time: 8:30-10:00 AM

Location: Georgetown West, Concourse Level, Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

Registration & Information: [email protected] | www.shro.org | www.niaf.org