GISE is Italy’s leading scientific society dedicated to advancing interventional cardiology, with a strong tradition of scientific excellence, clinical innovation, and patient-centred care.
For over five decades, GISE has promoted research, training, and the dissemination of best practice in cardiovascular interventions, establishing itself as a trusted reference point for healthcare professionals, institutions, and patients.
As part of the European-funded RESIL-Card project, GISE is providing scientific expertise and organisational capacity to support the identification and development of the resilience assessment tool. This ensures that the instrument is scientifically sound, clinically relevant, and aligned with the real needs of hospitals and healthcare systems.
Beyond its scientific contribution, GISE will also play a leading role in the communication and dissemination campaign to promote the resilience assessment tool at multiple levels:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities, to encourage adoption and integration into clinical practice;
- National and regional health authorities, to inform decision-making and health policies;
- Citizens and patients, with the support of Fondazione GISE ETS and Cittadinanzattiva, to raise awareness, foster engagement, and empower the public regarding the importance of resilience in cardiovascular care.
Through its dual commitment to scientific validation and strategic communication, GISE will contribute to the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the RESIL-Card project. This will ensure that the resilience assessment tool has a concrete impact on healthcare systems and patient outcomes across Europe.
Dr. Francesco Saia, MD, PhD
President of GISE
MD PhD Interventional Cardiologist, Director, Interventional Cardiology Unit – Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Department – IRCCS University Hospital of Bologna – Policlinico di S. Orsola
Dr Francesco Saia holds a medical degree (1995) and a specialisation in Cardiology (2000) from the University of Bologna, as well as two PhDs—one in Heart Failure Pathophysiology from Bologna and another in Interventional Cardiology from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Since 2003, Dr. Saia has been part of the Cardiology Unit at IRCCS Sant’Orsola in Bologna. For the past fifteen years, he has led its Structural Interventional Cardiology Program—consistently the top-performing public centre in Italy for TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) procedures. He also leads the only Italian centre capable of performing pulmonary angioplasties in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare and serious condition that often affects younger patients and significantly impacts quality of life.
As GISE President, Dr. Saia’s two-year mandate focuses on four key strategic priorities:
– Expand access to structural interventions through training, infrastructure, partnerships, and innovative device procurement
– Use digital tools and AI for better diagnostics, personalised care, telemedicine follow-up, and stronger links with primary care
– Leverage existing AMI networks to improve treatment of severe conditions like pulmonary embolism and cardiogenic shock
– Promote gender-based research in interventional cardiology
As Principal Investigator of the RESIL-Card Project in Italy, Dr Saia ensures GISE’s scientific leadership and strategic contribution to the development and dissemination of the resilience assessment tool.
Dr. Anna Franzone, MD, PhD
MD PhD Associate Professor of Cardiology – University of Naples Federico II
Dr. Anna Franzone is Associate Professor of Cardiology and Interventional Cardiologist at the University of Naples Federico II. She earned her MD degree summa cum laude, specialised in Cardiology, and completed a PhD in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, with international training at Bern University Hospital. She combines patient care with academic activity, contributing to innovation and outcome-oriented research in interventional cardiology. Her expertise focuses on coronary and structural interventions, including transcatheter valve therapies.
Within the RESIL-Card project, Dr. Franzone serves as National Coordinator for Italy, leading the project’s scientific and organisational efforts to ensure the successful development and implementation of the resilience assessment tool across the Italian healthcare system.
Giuliana Ballo
Head of GISE’s National Scientific Secretariat
Giuliana Ballo holds a degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures and an Executive Master in Political Marketing and Institutional Communication. As Head of the National Scientific Secretariat of GISE, she oversees and coordinates the society’s institutional activities.
Her expertise in communication supports the successful implementation of initiatives within the RESIL-Card project, contributing to the development and promotion of the resilience assessment tool across healthcare systems.
