It was either engineering or medicine at university,” recalled Dr. Elena Azzolini, a graduate of the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA (EMBA) programme and current Deputy Medical Director at Humanitas Spa, one of the largest Italian private hospital groups, with its main hospital based in Milan. While her early dream was to follow in her engineer father’s footsteps, she ultimately chose medicine to fulfil her deep-seated desire to improve the lives of others, inspired by her parents’ unwavering commitment to their community.
“They would never hesitate to help the homeless by giving them food when people avoided them,” said Elena, who emphasised the lessons of compassion and generosity that she learned from them.
Helping others through medicine
At medical school, she specialised in gynaecology. “Gynaecology represents the beauty of life. You get to bring a new, special being into the world,” described Elena. However, her aspirations extended beyond the hospital walls.
Driven by a passion for public health, Elena volunteered for a year as a medic with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and World Food Programme in South Sudan. There, she provided essential medical care to millions displaced by the ongoing civil war.
“Africa has always held a special place in my heart, even though conditions were tough,” shared Elena. She reflected on her time there: “There were instances when we successfully managed complicated childbirths with basic equipment. It seemed impossible sometimes, and you cannot fathom the mothers’ gratitude and joy in their eyes.”
A New Challenge
Years later, Elena’s CEO at Humanitas encouraged her to pursue an EMBA to further develop her leadership skills. Despite initial apprehension about returning to academia, since she had recently completed an additional master’s degree and a PhD, Elena chose the UCLA-NUS EMBA for its global perspective and flexible format, which allowed her to work while studying.
Tragedy struck just before the programme began when her father passed away, but Elena channelled her grief into her studies, finding solace and strength in the rigorous curriculum. Elena immersed herself in her studies to cope, even though subjects like accounting and business operations were unfamiliar.
Yet, she persevered and excelled, earning both the C.H. Wee Medal for best contributor in class discussions and the See Lai Ngor Prize as the top student in the UCLA-NUS EMBA programme. Elena’s EMBA journey proved to be not only an educational pursuit but also a form of healing. “My studies were a form of salvation,” she reflected. Though subjects like accounting and business operations were new to her, Elena persevered, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Upon returning to Humanitas, the impact of the EMBA was evident. Elena approached leadership with renewed clarity and a broader perspective. “I am now able to analyse healthcare challenges from multiple angles, considering factors such as financial sustainability alongside patient outcomes. I am also able to better improve the healthcare in the community as I have a more holistic understanding of the complex healthcare and global landscape,” shared Elena.
Elena’s extraordinary journey, marked by compassion, resilience, and the transformative power of education, is an inspiration. As she continues to explore innovative ways to enhance public health, her story serves as a testament to the unwavering human spirit and the profound impact one individual can make.
