The event began with the presentation of the Dr. Ferran 2026 Grants, promoted by the Dr. Ferran Foundation, a non-profit entity committed to advancing biomedical research in the region. The foundation's president, Maria Rosa Ripollès, praised the quality of the submitted projects and the dedication of professionals from Terres de l’Ebre, emphasizing the importance of fostering local research to improve public health.
This year, two grants of 3,000 euros and one honorable mention of 1,500 euros were awarded among six research projects. The Dr. Ferran Grant for emerging groups went to the project “Network-based modeling of the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer,” led by Alba Fischer Carles and developed by the Hospital Universitari de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta. The Grant for starting groups recognized the project “Development of a Multidimensional Predictive Model of Dystocic Birth (MPM-PD),” headed by Aloma Antolí Forner, also from the Tortosa hospital. The honorable mention distinguished the project “Effect of available social resources on discharge planning in an Intermediate Care Hospital,” led by Francesc Riba Porquet.
The event also featured a keynote lecture by Dr. David Gallardo Giralt on advances in cell therapy and CAR-T cells. The ceremony was presided over by the mayor of Tortosa, Mar Lleixà, accompanied by representatives from the regional health department and the Government in Terres de l’Ebre.
Subsequently, the Primary Care and Hospital Management of Terres de l’Ebre presented eleven extraordinary grants to support training and research activities for professionals at ICS Terres de l’Ebre. These grants cover scientific publications, doctoral studies, and master's and postgraduate course fees, recognizing the work of Anna Pàmies Corts, Carlos López Pablo, Esther Sauras Cólon, Javier Bodoque Cubas, Monica Dearos Sanchis, Raquel Fresquet Molina, Maria Elena Solà Miravete, Cristina Borràs Muñoz, Esteban Martínez Vidal, Raquel Franch Llasat, and Sílvia Lluís Poy.
The medical director of the Hospital Universitari de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta, Neus Rodríguez, and the care director of the Primary Care Management Terres de l’Ebre, Cristina Sanz, emphasized that these grants represent a commitment to knowledge, research, and innovation, crucial for healthcare excellence and professional growth.
The event concluded with the farewell of 25 residents in Family and Community Medicine and various hospital specialties from the Hospital Universitari de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta and the Hospital de la Santa Creu de Jesús. The new specialists received a commemorative lithograph, and it was highlighted that some of them will continue their careers in the region, strengthening the healthcare teams in Terres de l’Ebre.
