In December, UTMB hosted an Italian delegation visiting to discuss a potential collaborative relationship with the University of Palermo. UTMB’s Dr. Luca Cicalese accompanied the visitors as they called on numerous members of the UTMB community, including Dr. David Callender, UTMB president. The visitors included Antonio Bono, president of Ente Regionale Study Universitari, the organization that assigns student and faculty grants for universities in the Sicily region; Francesco Cappello, director of international relationships for the University of Palermo; Enzo Graci and Maria Audenzia Giacone of the Confederation of Sicilians in North America; Commander Vincenzo Arcobelli, president of the Committee of Italians Working Abroad and Fabrizio Nava, Consul General of Italy in Houston.

Dr. Luca Cicalese, professor of surgery and John Sealy Distinguished Chair and director of the Texas Transplant Center at UTMB; Enzo Graci, president of the Confederation of Sicilians in North America; Antonio Bono, president of Ente Regionale Study Universitari of Palermo; Vincenzo Arcobelli, president of the Committee of Italians Working Abroad; Dr. Donald Prough, Interim Vice President and Dean of UTMB’s School of Medicine; Francesco Cappello, director of international relationships for the University of Palermo; Dario Matranga, press officer for the University of Palermo.

Dr. Callender shakes hands with Dr. Cicalese as the two welcome a delegation of Italian representatives to UTMB in early December.

Clockwise: Antonio Bono, Enzo Graci, Dr. Callender, Vincenzo Arcobelli. Presentation of official gift to Callender.

Arcobelli presents Callender with a ceremonial medal as Bono looks on.

Francesco Cappello, Enzo Graci, Antonio Bono, UTMB’s Dr. David Callender, Vincenzo Arcobelli, UTMB’s Dr. Luca Cicalese and Dr. Cristiana Rastellini.