Professor Claudio Bassi (1952-2023) was a distinguished Italian surgeon renowned for his expertise in pancreatic surgery and his significant contributions to the field of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.

Born in Verona, Italy, in 1952, Bassi pursued his medical degree at the University of Padua, graduating in 1977. He specialized in General Surgery in 1982 and Thoracic Surgery in 1986. Further, he completed a clinical fellowship in transplant surgery at the University of Munich.

Bassi dedicated his professional life to the University of Verona, where he became a full Professor of Surgery and chaired the Unit of Pancreatic Surgery. He was instrumental in establishing the Verona Pancreas Institute, which gained international recognition as a leading center for pancreatic surgery. Throughout his career, Bassi performed and supervised over 2,000 pancreatic resections.

Bassi authored more than 350 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to over 150 book chapters. He served as President of the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA) from 2013 to 2015 and was Vice President of the Italian Society of Surgery. His memberships included esteemed organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Surgeons, and the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.

Professor Bassi passed away on July 10, 2023, at the age of 70. His legacy endures through the Verona Pancreas Institute and the many surgeons he mentored. Bassi was also known for his passion for music, often engaging with colleagues through his love for the guitar.