Ophthalmology excellence in Irpinia: Professor Lucio Zeppa to lead the new high-complexity center at Casa di Cura Santa Rita
Ophthalmology excellence at Santa Rita in Atripalda: Professor Lucio Zeppa, formerly director of the Complex Operating Unit of Ophthalmology and Corneal Transplants at the Azienda Ospedaliera Moscati in Avellino, takes on from today the role of operating director of the outpatient and surgical ophthalmology activities of the healthcare facility of the NefroCenter group, and will lead the first high-complexity ophthalmology center opened in Irpinia.
THE PROJECT
“With his arrival – says Giovanni Lombardi, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of the group – a project of the highest medical and scientific profile takes shape, aiming at the creation of the most important center in Southern Italy dedicated to the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, a cutting-edge facility that aims to become a point of reference for early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these serious eye complications.” Professor Zeppa will also coordinate the outpatient ophthalmology activities at the group’s 8 accredited diabetes clinics.
THE GROUP
This step marks a new important milestone for the NefroCenter Group, which was founded in 2003 with the acquisition of its first dialysis centers and gradually developed into other sectors of private and accredited healthcare, widening the range of its activities first to diabetology and then to research and development (with the creation of Nefrocenter Research) dedicated to metabolic and kidney diseases, with the first important research partnerships with the University of Naples Federico II, Vanvitelli, Sapienza University of Rome and the CNR. Then came the expansion into research and development projects, also in collaboration with the ministries of Economic Development, Education and Research (since 2022). Recently there has been a series of acquisitions of prestigious and historic healthcare facilities such as the Rome American Hospital (RAH) and the RSA Longoni in Rome, Villa Arianna in the province of Naples (40 beds), and S.I.S.Me.R. in Bologna (a reference center for assisted reproduction). Then, a year ago, the purchase of three other private clinics: Santa Rita in the province of Avellino, Villa Anna Maria in Rome and Villa Arbe in Milan, and more recently Santa Lucia in the province of Naples, with more than 100 beds. Finally, this year, the purchase of Casa di Cura Ospedale Internazionale in Naples and of Villa dei Fiori in Mugnano (150 beds), forming a network that competes with the largest groups in private and accredited healthcare in Italy.
The new ophthalmology center in Irpinia will focus in particular on the management and treatment of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, conditions that affect millions of people and are among the leading causes of low vision and blindness in the world, relying on the most modern diagnostic and therapeutic technologies (such as the latest-generation laser treatments, the most advanced technologies for vitreoretinal surgery and for the treatment of all glaucoma disease including its neovascular forms). The team will be led by Professor Zeppa, known for his extensive experience in ophthalmology and his skill in treating retinal diseases. With the opening of this new center, Casa di Cura Santa Rita and the NefroCenter Group aim to become the main point of reference in Southern Italy for the treatment of retinal and macular diseases.
