34 years of the Women’s Unit of the Ruber International Hospital are turned

On April 1, 1991, the Directorate of International Ruber Hospitalthen made up of Mr. José Mª Bergaz as managing director, the Dr. Eloy Fernández Corral as medical director and Mrs. María Luisa Cuadrado As financial director, he entrusted to Dr. Juan José Vidal Peláez The creation of the Women’s Unit, a pioneer initiative not only in Spanish medicine, but also in the international environment.

«Accepting this challenge (recalls Dr. Vidal Peláez, specialist in Gynecology) required a reflection, since it implied exclusive dedication and at that time occupied the positions of Chief of Gynecology of the Puerta de Hierro Hospital and Professor Professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid. However, it soon decide, because the project was passionate for many reasons that I will present below. In addition, in those years, The woman acquired more and more prominence in societyand I was excited about creating a unit that attended all stages of his life ». A performance to serve patients from puberty and adolescence, with hormonal changes and the arrival of menstruation, to the first sexual relations and the challenges involved in the transition from girl to woman.

«Pregnancy control (adds) has always been a fundamental pillar in our unit. From the first trimester it is essential to detect possible fetal alterations by prenatal diagnosis, for which genetic ultrasounds and tests are required. Weight, blood pressure and periodic controls are also monitored to prevent gestational diabetes and preeclampsias. In the last quarter, fetal monitoring allows to detect contractions and evaluate the heart rate of the fetus, contributing to prevent premature births ».

And in the case of childbirth “considered by some scientists such as” the most dangerous journey of the human being “, it must be done in a hospital with adequate facilities and a specialized medical team that includes gynecologists, midwives, anesthesists and neonatologists pediatricians. Avoiding the risks of home delivery, increasingly in vogue, is essential to guarantee the safety of mother and child. In this regard, Dr. Peláez highlights the work of the institution during all these years when the natural conception is not possible, since the unit has a Assisted reproduction equipment which offers solutions such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and ovules or semen donation, allowing many women to achieve the dream of being mothers.

In the case of treatments for menopause, the director of this unit highlights how «since the beginning of my professional career, I have defended the use of substitute hormonal therapy (THS), provided there are no medical contraindications. However, in 2002, the Whi report, endorsed by the FDA, alarmed the medical community and the public by associating this therapy with an increased risk of breast and endometrium cancer. The media dissemination of these conclusions generated a generalized fear, taking many women and professionals to reject treatment ». «However (adds), numerous gynecologists, including the prestigious Dr. Lauridsen, analyzed the report in depth and found methodological and scientific deficiencies. In the following years, it continued to investigate and, in 2022, the American scientific community rectified, recognizing the mist errors and again recommending THS due to its benefits in the quality of life of women ».

Great teamwork

Dr. Vidal Peláez wants to thank the work of the entire team in full during this trajectory, with mention «to the support of the Hospital Management, key to our growth, first with Mr. José María Bergaz as managing director, with Dr. Ángel Ruíz de Aguiar as medical director and with Ms. Mari Cruz de la Torre as financial director until 2014 and since 2015 with the Quirónsalud group. I especially thank Dr. Manuel Conde and Javier Feijoo for his management, as well as Dr. Mercedes Cuesta Ya Ms. Amparo French, who have contributed to the success of the unit ». «However (continues), my greatest recognition is for the team of professionals who have worked with me. In the beginning, I had Dr. José Miguel Villar Sáez and Dr. Rafael Jiménez Ruiz, who were joined by Dr. Elena Carrillo de Albornoz, Dr. Elena Meliá and Dr. Esther Suárez. Thanks to them and the rest of the team, the unit grew in prestige and collaborations ».

At present, the unit has the following specialized sections:

–Prenatal diagnosis: Dr. Ángel Lorenzo and Dr. Sara Rubio.

–Menopause and gynecological checks: Dras. Elena Meliá and Esther Suárez.

–Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: Dras. Esther Suárez and Vega Cabezuelo.

–Diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancer: Drs. Álvarez and Duke.

–Ginecoesthetic: Dras. Cabezuelo, Meliá and Dr. Alfonso Duque.

–General Gynecology: Dr. Isabel Rodríguez-Piñero, Dres. Sebastián Sessa and Carlos de Granda.

As Dr. Vidal Pelás points out: «In gynecological surgery, we have the Drs. Julio Álvarez Bernardi and José Rubio Valtueña, recognized nationwide. In assisted reproduction, led by the Embriógog Yosu Franco, the Dras stand out. Meliá, Cabezuelo, Suárez, Beatriz Bueno and Silvia Iniesta ».

A magnificent team work on which the veteran specialist concludes: «I feel deeply proud to have created and directed this unit of women, and greatly grateful to the entire team that has made this reality possible. Happy anniversary, Women’s Unit of the Ruber International Hospital!