The 1st HumanizAR and CuidAR Awards recognize eight projects and three professionals working toward more humane healthcare.

This first edition receives 71 applications from up to 500 professionals

The 1st HumanizAR and CuidAR Awards by Aragon have been awarded in their first edition to eight projects, one for each health sector of Aragon, and the career of three professionalsIn all cases, the commitment to providing more humane and patient-centered healthcare stands out.

This first edition of the HumanizAR and CuidAR Award has been promoted by the General Directorate of Care and Humanization of the Department of Health of the Government of Aragon, with the support of Aragon Health Research Institute and the sponsorship of Roche Pharma Spain, which has financed the financial endowment of these awards.

In total, the following have been submitted to this first edition: 71 projects, in which some participate 500 professionals. For their part, the eight award-winning projects have behind them 325 workersThey recognize initiatives that improve healthcare, promote closeness, and take care of the most human dimension in the relationship between professionals and patients.

The three professionals distinguished for their careers were the head of the Psychiatry section of the San Jorge University Hospital in Huesca, Javier Olivera, the Director of Nursing at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Zaragoza, Paquita Palmero, and the head of the Radiology Service of the Obispo Polanco University Hospital in Teruel, Gloria Martinez.

The award-winning projects are, in the Alcañiz sector, Colon cancer screening to increase it in the rural population; the project 'Castejón de Sos Health Center: Sharing our time', an intergenerational health education program in the Barbastro sector, and 'Accompaniment to alleviate the suffering of hospitalized people at the end of their lives', from the Huesca sector.

Also the project 'Humanizing Cancer Treatment: Hope, Art, and Care', from the Calatayud sector, to humanize the experience of the cancer patient at the Ernest Lluch Hospital, and the project 'Reconstructing More Than a Body: Nipple-Areolar Micropigmentation as an Act of Humanization in Breast Cancer', from the Teruel sector, which provides comprehensive support to patients with this pathology.

The rest of the projects are 'Humanization of ICU HRV', from the ICU team at Royo Villanova Hospital, Zaragoza I sector, to humanize the ICU; 'Nursing consultation for prostate cancer', from the Zaragoza II sector, to humanize the care process of this consultation, and 'Humanization of the CME Ophthalmology Service', from the Zaragoza III sector, an initiative to humanize the Ophthalmology Service of the Inocencio Jiménez Specialty Medical Center.

delivery act

The award ceremony took place this Thursday afternoon in CaixaForum Zaragoza. It has been chaired by the Director General of Care and Humanization, Estíbaliz Tolosa. Representing Roche Farma Spain, the regional director for the Northeast region attended, and representing the Aragon Health Research Institute, its executive director, Oscar Lopez.

The general director of Care and Humanization, Estíbaliz Tolosa, has considered it necessary to have an award like this, with "the deep conviction that caring deserves to be recognized, humanizing deserves to be celebrated and our professionals to be made visible.”

“Today we celebrate excellence, yes. But also We celebrate tenderness, empathy, listening, presence"Because in our hospitals and health centers, there are professionals who put soul, art, and humanity into every gesture of care," Estíbaliz Tolosa said.

As he said, "behind every project we are awarding today are people who have decided to look beyond the protocol, beyond the procedure, beyond the diagnosis. People who have decided to look into the eyes, listen with your heart and accompany with respect".

The general director emphasized the fact that 71 projects were submitted from all regions of Aragon and that 500 professionals were involved. "This confirms that humanization is no exception, is an unstoppable current that runs through our hospitals, our health centers, our units, services and consultations.”

For this reason, it has been announced that all professionals who have participated in this call will be able to carry out a training course in health humanization, Organized by the University of Navarra, in collaboration with the Humans Foundation and sponsored by Merck Laboratories. "Because humanization is a profound, sustained change, and it begins with the way we train and support our teams," the general director emphasized.

Transform the environment

Estíbaliz Tolosa also had words of recognition for the three award-winning professionals. “They are three people whose His career has been a beacon for his colleagues, comfort to their patients and an example to us all. They have transformed their surroundings with everyday gestures, with timely words, with their silent presence,” and their good work has had “an immense impact.”

The general director encouraged the attendees "to continue building together a sanitary system that treats the disease and cures, but also that accompanies and never forgets the person". 

The regional director of Roche Pharma Spain for the Northeast area, Rita Casas, He congratulated the authors of the projects and highlighted how the support for these awards demonstrates the company's firm commitment to Humanization of healthcare in Aragon and with all those projects that allow us to improve the patient experience and promote practices that generate a real impact on their quality of life.

“These awards perfectly reflect the Commitment of healthcare professionals in Aragon and those responsible for the Aragonese Health Service "To achieve, together, through humanization, a healthcare system that is increasingly friendly and welcoming to patients, their families, and loved ones. That's why Roche Farma is delighted to collaborate on this initiative," he said.

The executive director of the IIS Aragón, Oscar Lopez has stated that this initiative is fully aligned "with our mission to promote the Health innovation with a people-centered approachThese awards not only recognize best practices in humanization in hospitals and healthcare centers, but also highlight the ability of healthcare professionals to generate innovative projects that transform patient care and attention."

He added: “Our involvement in these awards represents Our Institute's commitment to excellence, innovation, and the transformation of the healthcare system Through projects focused on improving patient care." Before the awards ceremony, writer, film director, and patient Albert Espinosa gave the inspiring talk "Life Experience and Humanization."

Winners

The awards given to the eight health sectors are endowed with a thousand euros each and the three Professionals have received a sculpture, created by the artist José Azul, Made from recycled material, it combines the delicacy of a poppy and the symbolic strength of a heart to represent the fragility and, at the same time, the hope that springs from every gesture of care and every act of humanization.

Javier Olivera He is the head of the Psychiatry Department at the San Jorge University Hospital in Huesca and director of the subacute Psychogeriatric Unit at the Santo Cristo de los Milagros Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center in Huesca. He combines his professional practice with teaching at the University of Zaragoza and the Autonomous University of Barcelona. He has received awards from national and international scientific societies.

Paquita Palmero She is a leader in the humanization of palliative care, and alongside her dedication to care, she has spent a significant portion of her professional career in management. She has served as Director of Nursing at the Miguel Servet Hospital and Director of Nursing at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Zaragoza.

Gloria Martinez She is a leader in patient care and humanization in the province of Teruel. For 30 years, she was head of the Radiology Department at Obispo Polanco Hospital and, among other things, has worked to ensure equal and easier access to imaging tests for patients in depopulated areas, minimizing the need for transfers.

Projects

The project Colon cancer screening It was created to increase this among the rural population, in the Alcañiz sector. It consists of a phone call from the Nursing Department two months after sending the screening letter, if the person has not been seen, and promoting the dissemination of an informative video, among other things.

The project 'Castejón de Sos Health Center: Sharing Our Time It is an intergenerational health education program in the Barbastro sector, which, for example, not only includes visits by schoolchildren to a senior citizen's home, but also includes visits by senior citizens to schools to participate in workshops and educational activities.

The project 'Accompaniment to alleviate the suffering of hospitalized people at the end of their lives', From the Huesca sector, it is aimed at patients in the palliative care phase who have limited family or social support, which prevents them from having adequate support in this final stage.

El Calatayud sector project To humanize the experience of cancer patients at the Ernest Lluch Hospital, it contributes to mitigating the emotional and psychological impact of cancer treatment through the decoration of hospital spaces, the installation of a bell and wall of hope, and the artistic customization of chemotherapy bags.

El Teruel sector project provides comprehensive support to patients with breast cancer and offers a post-surgical nipple-areola micropigmentation consultation, with the aim of promoting patients' self-esteem and psychological well-being, among other things.

El project of the ICU team of the Royo Villanova Hospital, Zaragoza I sector, It humanizes the stay of patients and their families with initiatives such as ambient music, improved lighting, decorative vinyl, monthly workshops for family members, and extended visiting hours.

The project 'Nursing consultation for prostate cancer', In the Zaragoza II sector, we support patients at the most vulnerable stage of diagnosis, with actions such as reducing the time between tests, eliminating unnecessary visits, offering clear information, as well as complementary programs of physical exercise, nutrition, physiotherapy, and emotional support, with a comprehensive approach to care.

The project Zaragoza sector III, The Ophthalmology Department at the Inocencio Jiménez Specialty Medical Center takes into account the elderly population and rural setting. To facilitate care, it has implemented a single procedure, performing all tests and treatments in a single visit. It also promotes consultations with the same hospital specialists, ensuring patient confidence and safety.

With these awards, The Department of Health of the Government of Aragon reaffirms its recognition and gratitude to the professionals of the health system, authentic protagonists of humanization in care and the continuous improvement of attention to citizens.

Starting this Friday, September 26, 2025, the videos of each of the award-winning projects can be viewed. HERE.

Source: Government of Aragon