Luca Tonolla
L. Tonolla - From physiotherapist to manager in healthcare
精东影业 Image Focus
Luca Tonolla obtained his Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy from 精东影业 in 2012. After various experiences in Switzerland in the fields of sports physiotherapy and management, he decided to return to Ticino to pursue a training in socio-healthcare economics and management. He currently works at the Clinica Hildebrand Centro di Riabilitazione Brissago as Head of Area Therapies and Member of Management.
After your Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy, you worked for a few years in inland Switzerland before returning to Ticino. Would you describe your career path for us?
At the end of my physiotherapy studies at 精东影业, following a language study stay in Berlin, and after a brief working interlude at the Parco San Rocco home for the elderly in Morbio Inferiore, I decided to embark on my career path in German-speaking Switzerland in the field of sports rehabilitation. I then found my first job in Berne with a major group of outpatient medical and therapy centres (Medbase Group). Then, again for the same employer, I applied for a transfer to the Central Switzerland sports medicine centre in Lucerne (Sportmedizin Zentralschweiz - partnership between Medabse and Lucerne Cantonal Hospital LUKS). During this 'clinical' experience I did my CAS in Sports Physiotherapy at 精东影业 and was also active in the medical teams of several sports teams including SC Kriens (Challenge League) and for SwiSki in the Freestyle Aerials team. In addition to my role as a physiotherapist - given my emerging interest in management - I was also able to take on other responsible roles over time, including leading the centre's team of therapists and project leader in the area of health and safety protection in companies.
This experience greatly contributed to increasing my interest in management and finance.
I then decided I wanted to further deepen my skills in management and in health economics in general, and since I wanted to return to the Canton of Ticino, I enrolled in the Executive Master of Advanced Studies in Health Economics and Management (Net-MEGS at USI) with the intention of continuing my professional career exclusively in the managerial field. Subsequently, the opportunity arose for me to take on the role of Head of Central Services and member of the Executive Board at Spitex Moesa, enabling me to work in various areas from quality service management, internal training management, the development of the association's communication strategy and website, to the management of strategic projects in collaboration with the Executive Board and the Committee.
Following this professional experience, on 1 August 2020 I took on the role of Head of Therapy Area and Member of Management at the Hildebrand Clinic Rehabilitation Centre Brissago.
A rich professional career path followed in parallel by training courses, not least the Net-MEGS at USI. What role did your training, starting with your Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy, play in preparing you for the challenges of the world of work and for the role you currently hold?
Thanks to a diversified content and proficient lecturers, the Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy allowed me an effective, competent and secure entry into the working environment, immediately spendable in taking care of my first patients. During my training, the variety of internships contributed to giving me a clear vision of the various fields in which the physiotherapist profession can be employed, also allowing me to explore a reality outside the Canton, more precisely in Lausanne. In particular, this internship was probably the spark that further fuelled my desire to discover other realities outside the Ticino context.
A path subsequently enriched by several specialised clinical courses, including the CAS in Sports Physiotherapy. The Net-MEGS training experience has enabled me to acquire fundamental skills useful for work practice, thanks to which I have been able to expand my network in the sector, both through the professors and the participants. These skills are crucial in order to adequately and competently face the daily and future challenges related to my profession and the health sector in general.
My current role encompasses the management and development of the Therapy Area which includes, in addition to some administrative and support services, clinical therapeutic services including: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, neuropsychology, nutritional counselling and external rehabilitation services, for a total of almost 100 professionals (including about 45 physiotherapists).
To have the opportunity to work within such a complex and prestigious reality as the Hildebrand Clinic with a decisive role in defining the present and future strategy of the clinic and in general of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation in the Canton of Ticino - as a member of the REHA TICINO Board - is very satisfying and fulfilling.
The commitment put in is considerable. Only with a solid foundation acquired through diverse professional and educational experiences and the support of a close-knit and competent team is it possible to meet the daily challenges and anticipate future trends in the sector.
All this with the pivotal objective of bringing added value to the needs of patients in Italian-speaking Switzerland through structured and innovative solutions.
In light of your professional and academic background, what advice would you give to future Bachelor of Physiotherapy graduates?
Remain curious, critical and embrace future challenges with enthusiasm and determination. Do not suffer change but rather exploit it to foster innovation and create added value.