From DW Documentary.

The Onsernone Valley is often called the "most beautiful cul-de-sac in Switzerland." Located in the canton of Ticino, this wild, green valley was historically defined by bitter poverty and mass emigration. While the region experienced a brief revival in the 1970s through an influx of people seeking alternative lifestyles, today it faces the quiet challenge of an aging population.

Dr. Josef "Beppe" Savary Borioli has served as the valley’s mountain doctor for over 40 years. Despite having opportunities for a prestigious academic career or to take over a practice in the capital city of Bern, Beppe chose the rugged life of the Onsernone to find "spirit and beauty" in nature.

Medical care in this terrain demands physical stamina. The villages rise like "islands" from the forest, and many homes are inaccessible by car. A single house call can take up to three hours: a steep hike down into the valley, a visit with the patient, and a strenuous climb back up. For patients like 81-year-old Laura, who lives without internet or television on a mountain pasture, Beppe is a lifeline.

Now 72, Beppe is facing his biggest challenge: finding a successor. He is championing a "doctor-sharing" model with regional hospitals to attract young physicians who might be willing to trade city comforts for a life of community and nature. His story is a testament to the value of a life lived in harmony with the environment, prioritizing purpose over profit. As Beppe says: "I wouldn’t want to live in Locarno for all the money in the world."

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