Six women in the health industry receive Hospitals Assn. award

By John McPhaul

jpmcphaul@gmail.com

Six leading women in the health industry received the “2022 Outstanding Women in Health Award” granted by the Puerto Rico Hospitals Association.

The honorees have distinguished themselves by their enthusiasm and dedication in various areas within the health field, such as private medical practice, hospital administration, in the academic field, as well as medical directors or supervisors in hospitals.

“The granting of the ‘Outstanding Women in Health 2022’ Awards considers the career, leadership, achievements, innovation and absolute commitment to health in Puerto Rico of each of the nominees,” said Jaime Plá Cortés, president of the Hospitals Association. “The Hospital Association of Puerto Rico established this recognition in 2017 as part of the efforts to keep alive each year the contribution of these professionals in the health industry, which according to their own statistics, women dominate this field of work with almost 70%.”

“For their achievements and contribution to the complex health industry, we are awarding Dr. Aracelis Nieves (medical director, Manatí Medical Center), Dr. Maruja Santiago Vélez (director of the Dr. Pila Metropolitan Hospital Imaging Center), Dr. Michelle M. Martínez Montemayor (associate professor, Central University of the Caribbean), Dr. Ilia Zayas Toro (head and medical officer at the San Pablo Medical Group diagnostic and treatment center), Dr. Elba Arroyo Camuñas (infectious diseases specialist and president of the Pavía Santurce Hospital medical faculty) and Margarita Rentas (director of the General Castañer Hospital Nursing Department),” said Marta Rivera Plaza, the moderator of the ceremony and creator of the awards. “All are worthy examples of self-improvement as health professionals, mothers, and exemplary citizens.”

The Hospitals Association also recognized in a special way Dr. Judith Román, the first Puerto Rican to graduate in neurology after having studied in Paris and Harvard, who at 92 years of age maintains her position as professor of Neurology at the School of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. The other special recognition went to Dr. Iris Cardona, chief medical officer of the island Department of Health.