Sant’Anna

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:20:21 +0000
Num. 33

The history of the hospital and the financial support of the Foundation and Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara

The magazine "Vere Novo..." published in Ferrara in May-June 1910 on the occasion of the visit by King Vittorio Emanuele III, mentions three events: the inauguration of the water-scooping plant in Codigoro, the new Palazzo della Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara and the laying of the foundation stone of the new hospital.

An extended article describes the Bank's operational guidelines for the Ferrara economy and its support for the major cultural and charitable initiatives in our city. The Sant'Anna hospital has a long history. Building began in 1443 following a Papal Bull by Pope Eugenio IV dating back to October 1440, solicited by Nicolò III and Leonello d'Este. The bishop of Ferrara, Beato Tavelli da Tossignano, supervised and financed the work which was located in the area of the Sant'Anna dei Brasiliani church and cloisters.
Construction was completed in 1446, a few months before the bishop's death. It was a modern hospital for those times, large enough to be called first "magnum" then arcispedale (Main Hospital). Poet and writer Torquato Tasso featured among its many illustrious patients. Five centuries later, in 1927, the hospital was moved to its current site in Corso Giovecca. The old hospital buildings were demolished making room for the construction of the Natural History Museum, Alda Costa School, Boldini centre and the Frescobaldi Conservatory. The financial commitment of the Bank was notable, not only by contributing to the modernization and building of many important structures, but also by defining loans and creating favourable conditions for the benefactors who enriched the new buildings with their donations. On the occasion of the centenary of the Bank in 1938, several new wards were built and funds were allocated to the various hospitals in the province and in support of the most important charities and cultural/scientific associations. In his first speech on June 13th 1938, President Pietro Niccolini announced: "Tomorrow morning I will present the Hospital Chairman with 210 ml of radium, for which the Bank has spent 220,000 lire; in this manner our Hospital will be at the forefront in fighting the scourge of cancer, this will also benefit the poor who would otherwise be denied such expensive treatment. This was the deliberation of the Board of Directors". Many years later it became clear that a new hospital equipped with the latest technology was needed. The Ministry of Health rejected the idea of restructuring Sant'Anna and decided to build a new hospital near Cona. In the meantime the banking world, and the Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara in particular, underwent profound changes. Up until 1990, savings banks raised capital whilst providing mutual assistance and funding charitable activities. During the nineties the process of liberalizing and privatizing the economy began, and the banks - through their association ac ri - asked for a legal structure that was more appropriate to the times. The Governor of the Bank of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, instigated a major reform: the separation of public law and business law. Savings banks became limited companies under the control of foundations, who could place their shares on the financial markets and had control of the bank, without exercising banking activities. Foundations are independent no profit entities that exclusively administer public benefit programs and promote economic development. Almost all of the foundations have discharged with the majority control of their respective banks. The Foundation of the Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara administers approximately 2/3 of the Bank's capital. The new structure has led to increased support and benefits for all the various areas of Health assistance. I personally requested that the two deceased Presidents of the Bank be commemorated with important contributions for Sant'Anna and the new ospedale del Delta. The Foundation's funds have contributed to improving the Ferrara health service with the most up to date equipment: nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, computerized axial tomography, cobalt therapy, Cath Lab, studies for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, ambulances and defibrillators. The Bank and the Foundation are also committed to sustaining scientific meetings, elaboration of important research projects and aid for the University Support Committee. Actions that are not dictated by marketing policies, but respectful of the commitment that the Bank has made with Ferrara and its citizens since its institution.