José Manuel Porcel, Head of Internal Medicine at Arnau de Vilanova Hospital and IRBLleida researcher, honoured with the highest recognition in the field of health by the University of Nuevo León
The medal recognises professionals who have distinguished themselves through their achievements throughout their careers in the field of health and for the benefit of society
Doctor and researcher José Manuel Porcel Pérez, head of the Internal Medicine Department at Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida, professor of medicine at the University of Lleida (UdL), principal investigator at the Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida) and first vice-president of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), has been awarded the 'Dr. José Eleuterio González' Medal, the highest recognition in the field of health awarded by the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL), for his outstanding international career in the study of pleural diseases.
The award ceremony took place on 21 October 2025, as part of Doctor's Day and Dr José Eleuterio González University Hospital Week, during a formal session of the University Council chaired by the rector of the UANL, Santos Guzmán López.
The 'Dr. José Eleuterio González' Medal recognises professionals who have distinguished themselves through their achievements in the field of health and for the benefit of society. This distinction, considered the highest awarded by the UANL in the field of health, bears the name of the founder of its Faculty of Medicine 166 years ago, considered a distinguished citizen of the State of Nuevo León.
Dr. Porcel has been recognised for his pioneering work in the study of pleural diseases, for creating the first Pleura Unit in Spain, located at the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, and for his contribution to strengthening scientific collaboration between Mexico and Spain.
Dr. Porcel is an international leader in pleural medicine, author of nearly 400 scientific publications, and editor of journals such as the European Respiratory Journal and ERJ Open Research. Among other awards, he has received the Professional Excellence Award from the Council of Medical Associations of Catalonia (2004), the Obieta Award from the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain (2020), and the titles of Master of the American College of Physicians (2023) and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London (2025). To date, only two Spanish doctors have received this distinction: gynaecologist Lluís Cabero y Roura (2017) and radiation oncologist Ferran Guedea Edo (2023).
Text: Communication and Image Office, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital.
The presentation of the medal to José Manuel Porcel Pérez. Photograph: HUAV.
