Dr. Felipe Calvo, recognised with two international awards for his contribution to Radiation Oncology and teaching

Dr. Felipe Calvo, co-director of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Scientific Director of the Proton Therapy Unit at Clínica Universidad de Navarra, has received two new international awards for his contribution to the advancement of Radiation Oncology and for his commitment to the training of professionals in this medical speciality. 

During the 7th Congress of the Ibero-Latin American Association of Radiation Therapy and Oncology (ALATRO) held in Lima, Dr. Calvo was awarded the first Medal of Honour by this international organisation, which represents more than 600 radiation oncologists from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. It is a distinction "in recognition of his contribution and professional career, increasing the quality of life of patients and supporting the development of ALATRO". 

At the same event in Lima, the Clinic's specialist received the McVie-Veronesi Award granted by the Ecancer platform "for his commitment to teaching in surgical specialties and his participation in international management responsibilities". Ecancer was founded in 2007 by oncologists Gordon McVie and Umberto Veronesi, and is a free online platform that allows specialists to share and benefit from new discoveries and advances in the fight against cancer.

Dr. Felipe Calvo recalled one of Professor Veronesi's proposals, which he considered particularly transformative for oncology practice: "In the curative treatment of cancer, we must move from the maximum tolerable treatment to the minimum effective treatment. This perception changed the treatment of early breast cancer and promoted the quality of life and sense of well-being of many patients".

Training specialists without borders

Dr. Felipe Calvo is Professor of Radiation Oncology and a member of the Ibero-Latin American Circle of Radiation Oncology Therapists (CRILA) and ALATRO, of whose boards he has been a member. His academic career has allowed him to participate as a trainer in multiple editions of masters in Advanced Radiotherapy. He is the coordinating editor of the only comprehensive text on Radiation Oncology in Spanish. These activities, among others, have allowed him to contribute to the promotion of radiation therapy in Oncology, supporting the implementation of advanced radiotherapy technology among new generations of professionals in Latin America.

On this recognition, Dr. Felipe Calvo stresses that " It has been very gratifying to verify that training is the engine of improvement in care practice. When I was awarded the recognition, I was able to feel very close the affection of many younger colleagues that I met and who transformed their specialized education into technological advances and clinical practice in their own countries for the benefit of cancer patients. Training, technology and healthcare innovation in Radiation Oncology mean more life and a better quality of life”.