The UAB Healthcare Service celebrates its 50th anniversary with a tribute and recognition ceremony
On 17 September, the conference hall of the Rectorat building of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona hosted the institutional ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Healthcare Service (SAS), a pioneering service in the university setting that has become essential in providing care and promoting health within the UAB community.
The event, which brought together some one hundred people, was presided by UAB Rector Javier Lafuente, accompanied at the table by Secretary General Esther Zapater, and director of the SAS, Arantza Igartua.
Rector Lafuente welcomed the attendees and emphasised the importance of highlighting the service's track record. Esther Zapater then spoke about the fact that the SAS has been able to adapt to changing times over the course of five decades, incorporating specialties such as gynaecology, dentistry, occupational health and psychology, and demonstrating its ability to respond to critical moments such as the pandemic. The secretary general highlighted the role of proximity and humanity played by the service's staff and also gave thanks to the work carried out by the members of the First Response Teams in Emergency Situations (EPAS), who altruistically and voluntarily assist with first aid in the different UAB centres.
Rosa Maria Peleato, who directed the SAS until 2017, highlighted the pioneering nature of the service, which introduced new areas and promoted health campaigns and preventive programmes, such as defibrillators and vaccination campaigns. She also evaluated the quality of the service through user surveys. “The challenge for the next 50 years”, she said, “is to maintain this spirit and continue to be a benchmark in preserving university health”.
Anselmo López, pulmonologist and coordinator of the SAS Primary Care Unit, emphasised the close relationship with users and the constant effort to keep staff up to date. He recalled, for example, the success of the anti-smoking campaigns, acknpwledged for their importance at medical conferences, and highlighted the appreciation and recognition that the service has earned over the years.
Arantza Igartua, current director of the SAS, took the opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to making the service grow over the past fifty years. She made special mention of the first director of the SAS, Rosa Maria Peleato; her predecessor, Joan Manel André; the staff of the Prevention and Assistance Department, and key figures such as Anna Borfo, who accompanied her during her first months in office. She also highlighted the SAS's ability to overcome recent challenges such as the pandemic and the cyberattack.
Finally, Rector Javier Lafuente closed the ceremony by highlighting that “people are at the centre” and that health is a fundamental principle enshrined in the new statutes of the UAB, which are committed to promoting healthy environments and habits. On behalf of the entire university community, he expressed his gratitude to all those who have contributed to making the SAS an essential and benchmark service.
The event concluded with a gathering that allowed attendees to share memories and celebrate this half-century of history.