1977: Scientific High School Diploma from the A. Einstein Liceo Scientifico in Palermo with a grade of 60/60 and scholarship recipient
1983: Degree in Medicine & Surgery with a grade of 110/110 cum laude from the University of Palermo
1987: Completion of specialty in Gastroenterology with a grade of 50/50 cum laude from the University of Palermo
1994: Completion of specialty in Internal Medicine with a grade of 50/50 cum laude from the University of Palermo
1980-87: Completion of Fellowship in Gastroenterology in the Department of Internal Medicine, under the guidance of the Chair of Gastroenterology, Prof. L. Pagliaro, V. Cervello Hospital, Palermo
1987-2020: Subsequently, worked at the Buccheri La Ferla, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Palermo in the following roles in the Department of Internal Medicine:
- 1987-1989 – Contracted physician
- 1989-1992 – Promoted to 1st Level Assistant Physician
- 1992-1998 – Promoted to Executive Medical Assistant
- 1998-2020 – Chief of Gastroenterology & Diagnostic/Therapeutic Endoscopic Department (with 8 hospital beds)
During his tenure, Dr. Vassallo
- Trained in both the ambulatory and hospital departments, while also overseeing his clinic. This led to his being recognized as the principal coordinator of the Gastroenterology unit.
- Acquired considerable expertise in the utilization of various diagnostic and therapeutic methodologies, specifically in:
- Diagnostic and surgical gastrointestinal endoscopy,including biliary and pancreatics ystems, with extensive experience: Over 10K EGDs, 10K colonoscopies (of which 20% were surgical in nature), and 2K therapeutic ERCPs
- Therapeutic and diagnostic abdominal ultrasound (targeted biopsies and alcohol injections of hepatic lesions, etc.) from 1990. Received Certification from the University of Palermo with advocacy of Ultrasound Italian Society in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB)
- Liver biopsies (more than 1000)
Fields of interest:
- Urgent endoscopy (Coordinator of Sicilian Dependent-Time Network)
- Viral Hepatitis (HBV, HCV) and chronic liver disease (member of Hepatitis Sicilian Network) .
- Inflammatory bowel disease (member of Sicilian IBD Network)
- Diverticular disease
- Dyspepsia and helicobacter pylori infection
Author and co-author of more than 40 publications
- Reviewer and referee of Journal “Digestive and Liver Disease” and “Hepato-Gastroenterology”
- Responsible and/or member in the faculty of several Scientific Meetings
- Member of leading Italian Gastroenterology Association
- Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) from 1983
- Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED), from 1998; during 2006-2010, Sicilian secretary during 2006-2010.
- Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologist (AIGO) from 2006:with the duties of Sicilian Advisor from 2002, Sicilian President from 2014 to 2019; member of the National Scientific Committee from 2014 and member of National Board of Society from 2020