The Leone d’Oro al Merito for the NefroCenter Group

The International Grand Prize of Venezia has awarded the NefroCenter Group the prestigious Leone d’Oro al Merito (Golden Lion of Merit), an honor that celebrates Italian excellence in a range of professional and social fields.

The prize was awarded “for Italian excellence in the healthcare sector, for its steady commitment to research, prevention and care with an innovative model that combines high professionalism, humanity and attention to the patient. Venezia pays tribute to an organization that contributes significantly to the progress of medicine and to the well-being of the community at the national level.”

The award was collected by Dr. Giovanni Lombardi, founder of the NefroCenter Group, a leader in Italy in the management of chronic metabolic diseases and in dialysis. He was presented with the Institutional Plaque of Venezia and the Lion of Saint Mark, in the historic headquarters of the Veneto Region.

The President of the Leone d’Oro, Dr. Sileno Candelaresi, emphasized how the 2025 edition gathered a mosaic of excellence from all over Italy, highlighting organizations that contribute decisively to the country’s development. Also taking part in the ceremony was Dr. Catello Maresca, magistrate and President of the Leone d’Oro for Legality, who stressed the importance of recognizing and rewarding the commitment of those who work every day for the common good.

The award is a tribute to the path that has consolidated the role of the NefroCenter Group as a national point of reference in nephrology, dialysis, and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

With more than 100 facilities across the country and more than 60,000 patients followed each year, NefroCenter also stands out for its strong ties to the Veneto, where it has built the two main Italian dialysis centers geared to tourism, in collaboration with the local health authority (ASL) and the Veneto Region. A unique model that allows patients to access care without giving up the possibility of traveling.

“This initiative is a source of great pride for us, and receiving the Leone d’Oro in Venezia, a city that symbolizes art and tradition, confirms the value of a path that combines healthcare excellence, innovation and quality of life,” said Dr. Lombardi.

With the Leone d’Oro al Merito awarded to NefroCenter, Venezia celebrates an Italian excellence that contributes in a concrete way to the progress of medicine and to the well-being of the community.