“Infermieri, a viso aperto”, a photographic project bringing to light the faces and stories of those who help patients every day

• At infermieriavisoaperto.it shots taken by photographer Settimio Benedusi visually tell the story of nursing professionals who are fundamental to our healthcare service.
• This virtual photographic exhibition was promoted and set up by the Chiesi Group under the patronage of the FNOPI, the National Federation of Orders for Nursing Professions.
• The Campaign forms part of the “Empathy Manifesto” project run by Chiesi, the largest pharmaceutical multinational group to receive B Corp certification.

Parma, January 14^th, 2021 – “Infermieri, a viso aperto” (T.N. Nurses unveiled), an awareness-raising Campaign focussing on the nursing profession with the aim of highlighting the human aspects and the empathy and kindness of those helping millions of people throughout our country every day: professionals rather than heroes.

The virtual photographic exhibition, which can be viewed at www.infermieriavisoaperto.it, has been promoted and set up by the Chiesi Group, under the patronage of the FNOPI, the National Federation of Orders for Nursing Professions.

Creator of the project is Settimio Benedusi, a professional photographer who has worked throughout his career with top publishers and is one of the leading figures in Italian photography. The platform managing the virtual photographic exhibition also features the stories of the nurses on whom the Campaign centres: a collection of photographs and stories highlighting the commitment of health professionals who have come to the fore during the pandemic as “heroes”, but who in actual fact have always carried out their duties with pride and professionalism for our healthcare service.

“Photography may seem a static form of art, yet dynamism is actually its true essence. It is able to help us uncover the most intimate aspects hidden behind the masks that have to be worn every day by our nurses, at times with great difficulty – explains Settimio Benedusi, photographer and creator of the Campaign –. This is precisely what the “Infermieri, a viso aperto” Campaign aims to do: to take a profound look at the faces which are concealed from us, yet which are always ready to take on and embrace challenges every day, as faces unmasked”.

“Transforming the concept of empathy into concrete actions. This is the objective we set ourselves at Chiesi when we launched the first Empathy Manifesto, which was drawn up with the help of “our” people not only to meet the goals relating to our sector but also to become a driving force for change in our future society – states Ugo Di Francesco, CEO at the Chiesi Group –. The ‘Infermieri, a viso aperto’ Campaign represents an example of how the concept of empathy can be turned into a tangible activity, sharing the values shown by nurses in their care of patients and to whom our sincere thanks go for the fundamental role they play regardless of the pandemic”.   

“Nurses are there for us, they always have been and always will be. The people who recognise them as professionals caring for patients and their every need, guaranteeing humane care and dignity for those are nearing life’s end in the pandemic are fully aware of this. For us, as the Deontological Code states, ‘time spent relating to others is time spent caring’ - comments Barbara Mangiacavalli, President of the FNOPI -. Commitment, professionalism and dedication shine through: we work without filters, even when we are wearing containment suits and triple latex gloves for protection, paying a high price, coping with healthcare facility problems and the staff shortages we have been warning about for years: Italy needs 53 thousand nurses right now, most of whom are required as family/community nurses in order to be able to provide real care for all its citizens”.

About Chiesi Group

Based in Parma, Italy, Chiesi is an international research-focused pharmaceuticals and healthcare group with over 85 years’ experience, operating in 30 countries with more than 6,000 employees (Chiesi Group). To achieve its mission of improving people’s quality of life by acting responsibly towards society and the environment, the Group researches, develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in its three focus areas: AIR (products and services that promote respiration, from new-born to adult populations), RARE (treatment for patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases) and CARE (products and services that support specialty care and consumer-facing self-care). The Group’s Research and Development centre is based in Parma and works alongside 6 other important research and development hubs in France, the U.S., Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden to pursue its pre-clinical, clinical, and regulatory programmes. In 2018 Chiesi has changed its legal status to a Benefit Corporation, according to the law in Italy, USA and, more recently, in France, by incorporating common benefit objectives into its bylaws, to generate value for its business, for the society and the environment. Since 2019, Chiesi has been the world’s largest B Corp certified pharmaceutical group. B Corps are global leaders convinced to leverage business as a force for good. Moreover, as a Benefit Corporation, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. is required by law to report annually in a transparent way about its progress in achieving the common benefits objectives it has set forward. The Group is committed to becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2035.

Contacts for the press:

The Chiesi Group
Alessio Pappagallo

Global Communication Manager

Tel: +39 339 5897483

Email: a.pappagallo@chiesi.com

HAVAS PR
Davide D’Avenia

Tel: +39 346 3024607

Email: davide.davenia@havaspr.com