The recognition of the doctor is made after the Senate Plenary unanimously approved a resolution submitted by the president of the Upper House, Eduardo Estrella.

The Senate of the Republic recognized Dr. Rafael Sánchez Español for his long professional career and his contributions as a physician, a pioneer in laparoscopic and robotic surgery for the benefit of the country.

The award was presented to the distinguished physician in a special ceremony led by the President of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella, and the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña.

Eduardo Estrella, proponent of the initiative, highlighted the contributions of Dr. Rafael Sánchez Español in the development of medicine in the Dominican Republic, demonstrating capacity, innovation, management, making his profession a priesthood.

“Dr. Sánchez Español’s broad criteria and vision of health issues are invaluable attributes that have led him to break schemes and paradigms in Dominican medicine,” said Eduardo Estrella.

At the activity, held in the Senate’s new modern auditorium, Estrella said that Rafel Sánchez Español has left an indelible mark on both the scientific and academic communities.

“His strong commitment to research and dissemination of knowledge, has been an inspiring example for many, becoming a benchmark for new generations of physicians,” he added.

Dr. Rafael Sánchez Español was born on April 14, 1951, in the municipality of Tenares, Hermanas Mirabal province. He was coordinator of the Surgery Residency at the José María Cabral y Báez Regional Hospital in Santiago, where he created the Clinic for the Ambulatory Management of Hernias in 1987, and the Surgical Intensive Care Unit in 1989.

The prestigious surgeon held the position of director of the Corominas Clinic in Santiago; ideologist and main manager of the Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago (HOMS), being president of the HOMS Board of Directors and general director, from its foundation to the present.

Dr. Sánchez Español has received countless awards, including the “Master of Dominican Surgery” award from the Dominican College of Surgeons, the Exaltation for Academic and Health Care Merit from the Dominican Medical College, among others.