Gimeno will receive the title of Honorary Member, the Collegeás highest distinction, for her support of the pharmacy profession and her commitment to promoting mental health. Carmen Palos Martín, Enrique Eguizábal Martínez, Marta Guitart Estany, Ángel Escolano Pueyo and Adriana Navarro Viscasillas will also be honored. The awards will be presented on September 27, as part of World Pharmacists Week.
MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE REASONS FOR THE RECOGNITION
The Governing Board of the COFZ unanimously agreed to grant its highest distinction to Concepción Gimeno Gracia. The College particularly highlighted her promotion of projects in which community pharmacies serve as a nearby, accessible and trusted healthcare resource for the population.
These initiatives include the Observatory of Unwanted Loneliness, in which pharmacies participate as "social radar stations," as well as the Mental Health Conferences organized by the College and the special report on anxiety and depression produced with the involvement of pharmacists, family doctors, nursing professionals, psychologists and support groups.
The awards will also recognize Carmen Palos Martín with the Distinguished Member Plaque for her contribution to commemorating the 600th anniversary of Nuestra Señora de Gracia Royal and Provincial Hospital. Her involvement has helped highlight the institutionés healthcare and assistance history, as well as the role of hospital pharmacy and pharmaceutical historical heritage.
TWO COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS
The Annual Award will be shared by Enrique Eguizábal Martínez and Marta Guitart Estany, community pharmacists in La Joyosa and Pinseque, respectively, for two initiatives focused on prevention and health education in rural areas.
Eguizábal promoted the first "La Joyosa Late" Rural Cardiovascular Prevention Conference, featuring screenings, workshops and outreach activities aimed at detecting risk factors, improving treatment adherence and encouraging healthy habits. Guitart, meanwhile, launched "Pinseque Sin Humos," part of the municipal Pinseque es Salud program and aimed at preventing smoking and vaping, particularly among young people.
PHARMACEUTICAL COOPERATION IN JAMAICA AND TANZANIA
The College will also name Ángel Escolano Pueyo and Adriana Navarro Viscasillas Members of the Year for their participation in international healthcare cooperation projects.
Escolano, a hospital pharmacist, volunteered in Jamaica with the START Team of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, where he managed the pharmacy at the field hospital deployed in Falmouth after Hurricane Melissa. Navarro, a community pharmacist, took part in a cataract surgery campaign in Tanzania alongside the Elena Barraquer Foundation and the Tanzanian government, which made it possible to operate on 300 people free of charge in Arusha.
The awards ceremony will form part of COFZ Membersé Day and the celebration of the Collegeés patron saint. The program will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will also include the Collegeés art competitions, the welcoming and presentation of titles to new members, a tribute to retired professionals, and the presentation of insignia for 25 and 50 years of membership.
