There may not be a single best hospital worldwide, or a universally best healthcare system, but there is clear excellence, and that is precisely what La Fe has demonstrated. In Valencia, the hospital leadership accepted awards with pride and a strong sense of duty, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with being a national and international reference in health care. This message came from Juan Francisco Martínez León, head of the cardiac surgery department, who spoke on behalf of the winners and recipients on October 9. He underscored the pride and joy of the recognition, paired with a steadfast commitment to ongoing quality care.
La Fe’s achievement is rooted in its pioneering transplantation program and the milestone of completing a thousand heart transplants. The center conducted its first heart transplant in November 1997 and has since completed 1,008 procedures, a figure that places the hospital among a select group of twenty facilities worldwide that have reached this level. This milestone reflects sustained excellence in surgical technique, postoperative care, and multidisciplinary collaboration across the hospital team.
Martínez described the accomplishment as a collective reward, highlighting the roles of various services in this “survival business.” He pointed to the coordination between adult and pediatric intensive care units, cardiology, and pediatric cardiology as essential components of successful outcomes. The hospital’s performance metrics in critical areas are notable, with survival rates well above typical benchmarks in both adult and pediatric populations.
In addition to celebrating the transplant milestone, Martínez acknowledged the broader community of winners for 2023. He drew a parallel between historical exploration and today’s export of Valencian talent and innovation, noting Carmencita, the local company that marked its centennial and earned the Commercial Merit award for its sustained impact. He also recalled the affection shown by comedian Carlos Latre for the Valencian Community after his appointment as ambassador, and he praised the quiet, persistent work of first responders who managed emergencies and fires in the prior year.
Reyes, another member of the celebratory chorus, spoke about how the Valencian Community is a place of celebration and resilience, earning applause for the recognition and for initiatives supporting equality. The event also recognized a milestone in public health policy debates, alluding to the long-standing commitment to social security while acknowledging ongoing discussions about patient-centered care and access to services. The focus remained on the deep experience of the medical community, including professionals with decades of practice and those who have faced personal trials yet continued to contribute to the field.
The leader of La Fe’s cardiac surgery team closed by linking health achievements to national sporting success. He celebrated the strong performance of the country’s rhythmic gymnastics squad and the national football team, noting how excellence in one area often parallels promise in another. The summer’s top achiever received high honors from the Generalitat and the Cross of Jaume I, underscoring the broader appreciation for dedication in both sport and medicine. The shared sense of triumph reflected a culture at La Fe that values teamwork, perseverance, and public service, with the hospital serving as a beacon for best practices across Spain and beyond. These connections between medical milestones and community pride illustrate how institutional excellence can uplift an entire region and inspire confidence in health systems at large.
Overall, the story at La Fe is one of sustained leadership in heart transplantation, integrated care across specialties, and a public-facing record of achievement that reinforces Valencia as a center of medical innovation. The awards and recognitions are a testament to ongoing collaboration, from surgeons and nurses to administrators and supporters in the broader health ecosystem. This is not merely a sequence of successes; it is a narrative about a hospital that has built a robust platform for patient survival, education, and continuous improvement, with the community at its heart and a clear mission to advance health outcomes for people in the Valencian Community, across Spain, and internationally.