On 1 September, Dr Esther Calbo became director of the Department of Medicine taking over the position from Dr Albert Balaguer. Following the line of work initiated by her predecessor, the new dean  will continue to promote comprehensive training for doctors who place patients at the centre and ensure their well-being.

Dr Esther Calbo has been a lecturer for the Department of Medicine at UIC Barcelona since 2009, and full professor since 2022. The new dean holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), is a specialist in Internal Medicine and a holds a PhD in Medicine at the UAB. She began her professional career in field of health in the Internal Medicine Department of the Mútua Terrassa University Hospital, where she first worked as a resident physician and later as head of the Infectious Diseases Unit. She was deputy director of VINCAT, Hospital-Acquired Infection Surveillance Programme of Catalonia, from 2018 to 2022, head of the Infectious Diseases Unit of the Mútua Terrassa University Hospital, and medical care director at this hospital from 2020 to 2022.

In the research area, her main areas of interest include management of healthcare-associated infections, multi-resistant bacteria, antimicrobial use optimisation programmes, infections with bacteraemia and respiratory infections. Dr Esther Calbo is author of over 100 indexed publications. Her work has also been distinguished with the Professional Excellence Award of the Barcelona College of Physicians (CoMB) 2022, in recognition of excellence, honesty, commitment, altruism and integrity in her professional activity.

“Taking over from Dr Albert Balaguer, who has led the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences for 16 years, is a challenge that I take on with great enthusiasm and responsibility,” Calbo explained.