Photo caption: The photo shows the group of healthcare professionals who received the "Women in Healthcare 2022" Award given annually by the Puerto Rico Hospital Association.  Seated from left to right: Dr. Aracelis Nieves (Medical Director, Manatí Medical Center); Dr. Maruja Santiago Vélez (Director, Centro Imágenes Hospital Metropolitano Dr. Pila) and Dr. Michelle M. Martínez Montemayor (Associate Professor, Universidad Central del Caribe). Jaime Plá Cortés (Executive President of the Puerto Rico Hospital Association), Representative Sol Higgins (President of the House of Representatives Health Committee); Dr. Ilia Zayas Toro (Chief Medical Officer at the CDT of the San Pablo Medical Group); Dr. Elba Arroyo Camuñas (Chief Medical Officer of the San Pablo Medical Group); Dr. Elba Arroyo Camuñas (Chief Medical Officer of the CDT of the San Pablo Medical Group); Dr. Elba Arroyo Camuñas (Chief Medical Officer of the San Pablo Medical Group). Elba Arroyo Camuñas (Infectious Diseases and president of the Medical Faculty of Hospital Pavía Santurce); Senator Nitza Morán; Margarita Rentas (Director of the Nursing Department of Hospital General Castañer) and Rafael Alvarado, president of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Hospital Association.

Press Release

Association of Hospitals awards the work of women in the Health Sector in Puerto Rico

San Juan - Six women leaders in the healthcare industry received the "Outstanding Women in Healthcare 2022 Award" granted by the Puerto Rico Hospital Association (AHPR). The honorees have distinguished themselves for their enthusiasm and dedication in various areas within the health field, such as private medical practice, hospital administration, academia, as well as medical directors or supervisors in hospitals. 

"The awarding of the "Mujeres Destacadas en Salud  2022" Awards contemplates the trajectory, leadership, achievements, innovation and absolute commitment to health in Puerto Rico of each of the nominees.  The Puerto Rico Hospital Association 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 by their own statistics women dominate almost 70% of this field of work," said Jaime Plá Cortés. 

Marta Rivera Plaza (Chief Executive Officer of the San Juan Capistrano System) announced the names of the awardees.

"For their performance and contribution to the complex healthcare industry, we are awarding Dr. Aracelis Nieves (Medical Director, Manatí Medical Center); Dr. Maruja Santiago Vélez (Director of the Imaging Center, Hospital Metropolitano Dr. Pila); Dr. Michelle M. Martínez Montemayor (Associate Professor, Universidad Central del Caribe); Dr. Ilia Zayas Toro (Chief and Medical Officer at the CDT of Grupo Médico San Pablo); Dr. Elba Arroyo Camuñas (Infectious Diseases and President of the Medical Faculty, Hospital Pavía Santurce); and Margarita Rentas (Director of the Nursing Department, Hospital General Castañer), all of whom are worthy examples of superb performance. Elba Arroyo Camuñas (Infectious Diseases and president of the Medical Faculty of the Hospital Pavía Santurce) and Margarita Rentas (Director of the Nursing Department of the General Castañer Hospital), all of whom are worthy examples of overcoming challenges as health professionals, mothers and exemplary citizens," said Marta Rivera Plaza, moderator of the ceremony and creator of the awards.

The Puerto Rico Hospital Association also gave special recognition to 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 of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico.  The other special recognition went to Dr. Iris Cardona, chief medical officer of the Department of Health.