The New Board of Directors of UPA Takes Office with Dr. Hermann Schwarz at the Helm

Dr. Hermann Schwarz has been appointed as the new president of the Professional Union of Alicante (UPA) during their General Assembly held on Thursday. The 11 members of the new Board of Directors officially assumed their roles, marking the beginning of a new era under the leadership of Dr. Schwarz, who is also the president of the Official College of Physicians of Alicante (COMA).

During this meeting, representatives from the 34 Professional Colleges that make up UPA discussed strategies to strengthen the Union's role in Alicante society, focusing on responsibility and commitment to the community. With these ambitious goals, the Professional Union of Alicante embarks on a period of renewal, emphasizing cooperation and professional excellence.

Dr. Hermann Schwarz becomes the third physician to lead UPA in its 33-year history, succeeding Mr. Fernando Candela, the former Dean of the Alicante Bar Association. Dr. Schwarz will serve as the fifth president of the institution until December 2028, heading an organization that represents over 40,000 professionals from various sectors in the province, including healthcare, legal, economic, social, educational, architecture, and engineering.

The new Board of Directors, composed of 11 members, is the first gender-balanced board in UPA's history, highlighting its commitment to equity and representation across different professional sectors. In his inaugural speech, Dr. Schwarz praised the work of the previous Board and expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Mr. Fernando Candela, for facilitating a smooth transition of power; to Mr. Francisco Martín Irles, Dean of the Official College of Doctors and Graduates in Philosophy and Letters and Sciences, UPA's secretary, for his experience and knowledge; and to Mr. Francisco Menargues, Dean of the Official College of Economists, for his dedication as Treasurer. He emphasized their commitment to continue serving with the same interest and effort as always.

Dr. Hermann Schwarz expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and reaffirmed his deep commitment to the Professional Union of Alicante. He pledged to work with dedication, transparency, and collaboration in defending the interests of all its members, while also strengthening the bond between Professional Colleges for the benefit of Alicante society. He emphasized the essential role of Professional Colleges as guarantors of quality care and adherence to ethical and self-regulatory standards, which are crucial for protecting citizens' rights. The challenge is to highlight this vital role of Professional Colleges as useful, accessible, and approachable institutions.

Among the first actions of his term, Dr. Schwarz announced plans to meet with the presidents of each Professional College to understand their "concerns and challenges" firsthand. Additionally, the new UPA Board will gather suggestions from the Colleges to develop a "framework of actions," which will include collaboration with universities in the province of Alicante, support and promotion of professional registration, continuation of ongoing activities, and some cross-cutting actions on Vocational Training or improving citizens' living conditions, both environmentally and in terms of access to professional services with guarantees.

In this regard, collaboration with the Professional Union of Spain and other institutions will be pursued to promote relevant programs and actions where the participation of registered professionals is essential. Thus, during 2025, UPA intends to work with the Spanish Network of Healthy Cities (RECS) within the framework of the World Health Organization's "Healthy Cities" program, advancing the One Health, One Global Health approach. Notable projects for 2025 include the internship program for senior cycle students in Administration and Finance and Executive Assistance; UPA's participation in UEPAL Forums; and, of course, the PROA magazine, the publication of the Union of Professional Colleges of Alicante.

The new Board of Directors of UPA includes Mr. Francisco Martín Irles, Dean of the Official College of Doctors and Graduates in Philosophy and Letters and Sciences, as Secretary; Mr. Francisco Menargues García, Dean of the Official College of Economists, who continues as Treasurer; and board members Ms. Esther Rodríguez Mínguez (Veterinarians), Mr. Andrés García Mongars (Pharmacists), Ms. Mª Teresa López Baeza (Social Work), Mr. Antonio Martínez-Canales Murcia (Industrial Technical Engineers), Ms. Leticia Porrero Rodríguez (Occupational Therapists), Mr. Andrés Fco. Rico Mora (Civil Engineers), Ms. Monserrat Angulo Perea (Nursing), and Mr. Eduardo Vilchez López (Public Works Technical Engineers).