The 1st ASPE Private Healthcare Awards have recognised eight leading initiatives in areas such as patient experience, artificial intelligence, clinical research, sustainability and public-private partnerships.
The first edition received 75 entries across eight categories, of which 24 were shortlisted, and brought together more than 400 representatives from the healthcare, institutional and business sectors at the Mutua Madrileña Auditorium.
Madrid, 24 September 2026. – ASPE, the Spanish private healthcare employers’ organisation, held the first edition of the ASPE Private Healthcare Awards on Wednesday. These awards were created to highlight the private sector’s contribution to the development and strengthening of the Spanish healthcare system and to recognise the professionals, organisations and initiatives that are driving its progress.
The gala, held at the Mutua Madrileña Auditorium, brought together more than 400 representatives from the health, institutional and business sectors, as well as professionals involved in healthcare management and innovation.
The event featured a high-profile institutional delegation, led by Fátima Matute, Regional Minister for Health of the Community of Madrid; Esther María Monzón, Regional Minister for Health of the Canary Islands Government; Elvira Velasco, spokesperson on health for the Partido Popular in the Congress of Deputies; and Antonio Garamendi, President of the CEOE. Also in attendance were Myriam Pallarés, Director-General of MUFACE; Ángela de Miguel, President of CEPYME; and Isabel Muñoz Machín, Director-General of INGESA, amongst other representatives from healthcare authorities.
“Excellence in healthcare does not belong to a single profession, institution or model. It is built by all of us together,” stated José Manuel Baltar, President of ASPE, during his opening address. Baltar emphasised that the Awards were created as a forum to recognise best practice, share experiences that are delivering results, and foster a culture of collaboration amongst the various stakeholders within the healthcare system.
In their first edition, the ASPE Awards received 75 entries from hospital groups, healthcare centres, clinics, laboratories and other organisations linked to the sector. For the selection and evaluation of the projects, ASPE worked in collaboration with EY, in an independent and transparent process that has enabled the identification of initiatives representative of the diversity and capacity for innovation within the Spanish private healthcare sector.
“The high level of participation in this first edition reflects the dynamism of the Spanish private healthcare sector and the number of initiatives being developed to address the current challenges in healthcare,” said Baltar.
A jury of recognised prestige
The evaluation of the entries was carried out by an independent jury comprising professionals with extensive experience in various areas of the healthcare sector, ranging from hospital management and administration to public administration, insurance, innovation and patient representation.
The jury selected 24 finalist projects, of which eight initiatives were ultimately recognised for their contribution to addressing some of the key challenges currently facing the healthcare system.
The jury for this first edition comprised Ana Pastor, former Minister of Health; Carina Escobar, President of the Platform of Patient Organisations (POP); Celia Gómez, Director-General of the Principality of Asturias Foundation for Bio-Health Research (FINBA); Jesús Fernández, Regional Minister for Health of Castilla-La Mancha; José Ignacio Echániz, former Regional Minister for Health of the Community of Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha; Manuela García, Regional Minister for Health of the Government of the Balearic Islands; Mirenchu del Valle, President of UNESPA; Myriam Pallarés, Director-General of MUFACE; Óscar Gaspar, President of the European Union of Private Hospitals (UEHP); and Philippe Paul, Executive Director of Relyens in Spain.
Eight projects showcasing the transformation of private healthcare
The award-winning initiatives reflect some of the areas that are shaping the evolution of healthcare: improving the patient experience, the integration of artificial intelligence and new technologies, the promotion of clinical research, sustainability, and collaboration between public and private institutions.
The projects recognised in each of the categories were as follows:
- Enhancing the patient experience: “Co-design of a new inpatient ward based on patient feedback”, presented by the Sant Josep Clinic in Manresa and the Althaia Foundation.
- Excellence in healthcare technology innovation: “The Ariza-Pallarés Method: Spanish technological innovation transforming the diagnosis of lung cancer and mediastinal diseases worldwide”, presented by HLA La Vega Hospital and C-CRYOEBUS®.
- Innovation in preventive care: “Pulso Vital”, presented by Recoletas Salud.
- Excellence in professional development: “When knowledge travels, cancer treatment also advances”, presented by GenesisCare Spain.
- Excellence in public-private partnerships and alliances: “Digitisation of the exchange of diagnostic reports and images between San Roque University Hospitals and the Canary Islands Health Service”, presented by San Roque University Hospitals.
- Best integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare: “CuidaTIC: Artificial Intelligence and Smart Rooms integrated into the point of care at San Juan de Dios Hospital, Zaragoza”, presented by San Juan de Dios Hospital, Zaragoza.
- Sustainable and environmentally responsible practices in hospitals: “Towards sustainable dialysis: caring for health and the planet”, presented by the Puigvert Foundation.
- Promoting clinical research in private healthcare: “La Paloma Hospital: three decades of clinical research with an international impact on the treatment of diabetic foot”, presented by La Paloma Polyclinic Hospital.
