The 'Day of the Medical Profession' Marked by Advocacy at COMA

Beneath the motto "One profession, thousands of reasons to admire it," over 350 guests gathered at the COMA Congress Palace in Alicante to celebrate the 'Day of the Medical Profession 2025'. The gala paid tribute to doctors who, in 2024, reached a milestone in their careers: 25, 50, 60, and 65 years of professional practice. The evening was marked by the presentation of institutional recognitions and the advocacy speech by the College's president, Dr Hermann Schwarz, supporting the national medical strike called for this Friday, 13th June.

The event honoured 42 doctors for their Silver Jubilees; 21 for their Golden Jubilees; 4 for their Diamond Jubilees; and 4 for their Platinum Jubilees. The COMA's Secretary General, Dr José Manuel Peris, led the ceremony, weaving memories and anecdotes from the different decades that marked the professional beginnings of the honourees. It was a true journey through time, a historical tour through the years 2000, 1975, 1965, and 1960, when the honourees began their professional journeys, with references to significant medical, social, and cultural events.

Live music, performed by a quartet from the Virtuós Mediterrani Chamber Orchestra, accompanied each decade with representative pieces. As the Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees, the event's protagonists, ascended the stage to receive their diplomas, the COMA Board members presented the recognitions to the college members. The most emotional moment of the gala came with the audience's standing ovation to show their respect for the doctors who celebrated their Diamond Jubilees, 60 years in the profession, as well as the Platinum Jubilees, 65 years as doctors.

This year, for the first time, the College introduced the 'Recognition for the Defence and Security of the Medical Profession', an institutional distinction that values the work of the State Security Forces and Corps against the assaults suffered by doctors.

The Chief Commissioner and Provincial Head of the National Police in Alicante, Mr Manuel Lafuente Lázaro, and the Colonel Chief of the Alicante Civil Guard Command, Mr José Hernández Mosquera, received commemorative plaques in gratitude for the constant commitment of the State Security Forces and Corps against assaults in the healthcare sector, demonstrating daily vocation and dedication, values shared with the medical profession.

The president of COMA, Dr Hermann Schwarz, concluded the 'Day of the Medical Profession' with a speech highlighting the contrast between the pride of practising medicine and the current difficult situation faced by the profession. "Today is not just a day of celebration, it is also a day of responsibility," he emphasised to the audience. "We gather to honour those who have dedicated their lives to one of the most admired and, paradoxically, most punished professions in recent times."

The tone of the speech was also marked by concern and advocacy. Coinciding with the national medical strike called for Friday, 13th June against the draft Framework Statute, Dr Schwarz denounced the systematic discrimination faced by the medical profession within the healthcare system, with working conditions he described as "structurally precarious" and institutional recognition "far below" what is deserved by the medical community for their training, skills, and level of responsibility.

The president of COMA explained that this Framework Statute perpetuates unequal treatment compared to other healthcare professions. He also highlighted the healthcare overload, the lack of medical representation in decision-making forums, and the risk of losing talent if urgent action is not taken. "This strike is not a whim, it is a cry for dignity, justice, and professional survival," he stated.

The president appealed for unity within the medical profession, without distinction between generations or between the public and private systems, and argued that the Alicante Medical College has the obligation to lead this defence of professional rights and dignified working conditions for its members: "Advocating is not dividing. Advocating is protecting who we are. And if we do not do it, our talent will be lost."

Among the gala's guests, notable attendees included the Deputy Government Delegate in Alicante, Mr Juan Antonio Nieves; the First Vice President of the General Council of Official Medical Colleges of Spain, Dr Mª Isabel Moya; and the Deputy Defence Delegate in Alicante, Mr Juan Navarro. Additionally, the management teams of the province's Health Departments; the Secretary General of the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM); presidents and representatives of Professional Colleges, the COMA's Deontology Commission, and Scientific Societies, among others.