The College of Dentists and Stomatologists of Alicante (COEA) is set to honor two of its members and leaders at the IX Health Gala hosted by the Alicante Professional Health Association (Upsana) on Thursday, October 19. This event brings together eleven professional bodies to recognize exceptional contributions across the health professions.
COEA will present the Excellence in Postgraduate Teaching Award to Dr. Colomina, a Valencia-trained physician who specialized in Stomatology and helped pioneer osseointegrated implant applications. Lino Esteve will introduce the award to Colomina, acknowledging their significant impact on dental practice.
Colomina has maintained a robust private teaching practice since 1995, mentoring more than 200 fellow dentists and coordinating advanced implantology residencies within a private clinic setting. Their dedication to education has helped raise the standard of care for countless patients seeking dental implants.
In addition to their teaching and clinical achievements, Colomina is the co-author of three influential books on Oral Implantology and has lectured at renowned universities around the world, including Harvard, New York, Toulouse, Barcelona, and Madrid. Their international lecturing experience underscores a deep commitment to advancing knowledge in the field.
Within the professional governance landscape, Esteve has led as president of the Alicante Provincial Board of the Official College of Dentists and Stomatologists, the Alicante Dental Research Group, and the Alicante and Murcia Implantological Studies Group. They also serve on the COEA Board of Directors, guiding the college toward continued excellence in dental education and patient care.
Upsana will also present a special posthumous recognition to dentist Hiris Carrasco Rodríguez. In recent years, Carrasco has organized activities that foster collaboration among health professionals from varied specialties and helped build interprofessional networks. One notable project was the COEA Rowing Tournament in Santa Apolonia, which has grown into an event with intercollegiate participation and spirit.
This championship remains a lasting tribute to Carrasco, a clinician and educator who consistently supported the school she belonged to and encouraged others to pursue their goals. Her social and volunteer commitments extended into the educational project Your Teeth Are for Life, an initiative connecting schools and community organizations to promote lifelong dental health and preventative care for students across the region.