Strategic alliances, expansion of installed capacity and medical innovation are part of the achievements of the Serena del Mar Hospital in 2023

Providing exceptional healthcare and a person-centered care model, Hospital Serena del Mar continues to write a new chapter in Cartagena's healthcare history.

December 1, 2023. In 2023, we transformed major challenges into significant milestones; proof of this is the 'Great Place to Work' certification. In just two years of operation, Hospital Serena del Mar is now the first healthcare provider in Cartagena certified as a great place to work, an achievement that motivates them to continue working hand in hand with an exceptional team, through initiatives that enhance the employee experience. Great Place to Work is a global consulting firm dedicated to the analysis and understanding of psychosocial phenomena, with over 30 years of experience in creating great workplaces.

This is further reinforced by the fact that Hospital Serena del Mar has seen a 41% increase in its workforce over the past year. It is important to highlight that today 71% of the total staff are from the department of Bolívar, making it a significant job creator in the region.
Furthermore, they were recognized by Newsweek as part of the ranking of the best clinics and hospitals in the world, becoming number one in Cartagena and second in the Caribbean region.

Expansion of Installed Capacity and Partnerships

In October 2023, Hospital Serena del Mar also expanded its Comprehensive Rehabilitation service, which includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy. This significant development aims to promote the health and well-being of patients by actively participating in their comprehensive rehabilitation processes, improving their physical functionality and quality of life.

To be closer to its users, the Hospital established a strategic partnership with the IPS (Health Services Provider) of Servicios de Salud Serena del Mar, located in the Bocagrande neighborhood, for the provision of clinical laboratory sample collection and cervical cytology sample collection services.

Important Milestones

In May 2023, Hospital Serena del Mar performed the first transgastric drainage of a pancreatic collection using a Hotaxius stent via endoscopic ultrasound in Cartagena. This procedure was led by specialists Renzo Pinto, Fabian Lora, and Gerardo Puentes.

In August of this year, Hospital Serena del Mar also announced the arrival of endoscopic spine surgery in Cartagena, a technique performed for the first time in the city and uncommon in the Caribbean Region and the country. According to Dr. José Rafael Dangond, a spine surgery specialist, it is an alternative offered to patients to resolve their spinal problems.

“It is a minimally invasive surgery with which, through very small incisions, practically one to one and a half centimeters, we can resolve pathologies such as tumors, foraminal stenosis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative conditions, benefiting the patient in many ways, such as shorter hospital stays, less pain, less bleeding, less use of pain medication, and a shorter time to return to work and physical activity,” Dangond stated.

Hospital Serena del Mar also performed the first TOUSS surgery (transoral ultrasonic surgery) in Cartagena and the coast in 2023. The procedure was performed by Dr. Steven Osorio, a laryngologist and voice specialist, on patient Rubén Díaz, who had been suffering from throat discomfort, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and speech problems.

“This type of procedure offers similar results to those achieved with transoral robotic surgery. In this case, we were able to resect a structure called the epiglottis, obtaining an excellent result and improving the symptoms of a foreign body sensation with a very short postoperative stay,” the specialist stated.

Key Facts

Serena del Mar Hospital is operated by the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation, a leading healthcare provider, nationally and internationally accredited, ranked number 1 in Colombia and number 2 in Latin America according to the Top Ranking Latam Best Hospitals developed by the Latam Business Conference.

Serena del Mar Hospital boasts cutting-edge technology with high levels of safety and precision for diagnoses and treatments, such as the PET-CT scanner—the only one in Cartagena—a linear accelerator, and radiotherapy equipment to offer advanced treatments that lead to better clinical outcomes and fewer side effects, among other advancements.

In 2023, Hospital Serena del Mar distinguished itself by providing exceptional service that addresses all aspects of the care process, including: a 24-hour Emergency Department, which treated more than 40,000 patients throughout 2023; Adult and Pediatric Inpatient Services; Specialized Outpatient Clinics in more than 60 medical specialties and subspecialties; Nuclear Medicine; Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal Intensive Care Units; Cardiovascular Surgery; Diagnostic Imaging; a Clinical Laboratory; a Cancer Institute; and more.

Dr. Olga Lucia Méndez Tovar, director of Hospital Serena del Mar, emphasizes: “We are writing a new chapter in healthcare in Cartagena. Patients at Hospital Serena del Mar receive comprehensive care, with a patient-centered service model supported by state-of-the-art medical equipment and an exceptional team of professionals with solid knowledge and extensive experience, prepared to provide superior care and service.”

Now, from Cartagena, we offer the country, with a clear international focus, the best clinical practices, which will allow for superior clinical outcomes, in partnership with the Serena del Mar Hospital and with the guarantee seal of the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation (FSFB).