Friday, February 18, 2011

Alberto's Story

Press Releases
From: Taipei Medical University Hospital
Alberto’s Story

Alberto Zaffaroni, a 47 years old Italian technician, came to Taipei Medical University Hospital with a reward, which he had received last November 30th after a 4 hours and 47 minutes run over a 42-kilometer marathon (Firenze Marathon, 2008) in Florence. This reward will be dedicated to the medical team which was led by Dr.
Chih-Hsiung Wu, the Superintendent of Taipei Medical University and Dr, Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Chairman of Department of Neurosurgery in July of 2007.
On June 15th, 2007, Alberto Zaffaroni was installing machinery in Tao-Yuan County Guan-Yin Township during his second visit to Taiwan when he suffered severe trauma from a 770 pound poll falling over his head. Alberto was rendered unconscious with severe skull fracture and cerebrospinal fluid leakage of more than 100ml, daily. After resuscitations and surgical intervention under the meticulous care of the medical team, his family and his employer, Alberto returned to Milan, Italy on August 15th, 2007. “Statistically, 85% of patients with your condition could not recover.” Alberto remembers Dr. Chiang’s words as he woke up.
After returning to Milan, Alberto received 6 months of rehabilitation in Besta Milano Hospital where Dr. Carlo Lazzaro Solero told him, “There are only about 2-3 neurosurgeons capable of performing this operation in Italy.” Post-rehabilitation evaluation by physicians estimated a remaining 45% work performance. Alberto not only returned to work with determination, now with more focus on management and interpersonal communications, he maintains his love for engineering work and continues to install state-of-the-art machinery around the world.
Alberto says, “Taiwan is my second home, people here care for me very much. If I were anywhere else, I am afraid I couldn’t receive such care. I am so Fortunate.”
Under the support of his friends, Alberto participated in the international Marathon in Florence on November 30th, 2008. Thinking he wasn’t able to complete his full run,
Alberto crossed the finish-line with a stunning result of 4 hours and 47 minutes. On that moment, he shed tears of appreciation and decided to dedicate this honor to Taipei Medical University Hospital.

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