Lourdes Staff Member Selected as One of Four Rotary International Group Exchange Team Members

Team recently traveled to Milan, Italy to further international understanding,

goodwill and peace 

Maria Pinardo, assistant director of The Bridge at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, a program that addresses the needs of at-risk adolescents in Camden and its surrounding communities, was recently selected as one of four team members to travel to Milan, Italy, as part of the Rotary International District 7640 Group Study Exchange program.  

Rotary District 7640, which includes Rotary Clubs in Camden, Salem, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, is participating in the exchange program with Rotary District 2040 of Milan, Italy.

From April 6 to May 4, the Group Study Exchange Team from Milan, Italy, was hosted by Rotary Clubs from throughout South Jersey’s Rotary District 7640. 

According to the International Rotary Group Study Exchange, the program is designed to “develop professional and leadership skills among young adults so that they can address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.”

During the exchange, teams visited local businesses, government offices, and community organizations in the host district, toured historical and cultural sites, stayed with Rotarian host families, and made presentations about their home countries and professions.

In particular, Pinardo visited a variety of programs for youth throughout Milan.