Dr Belén Alonso

• Facial paralysis. Coordinator of the Functional Facial Paralysis Unit at Hospital Ramón y Cajal (Madrid). Multidisciplinary unit involving eight medical specialties. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in acute phase and long-term sequelae
• Lymphoedema. Comprehensive preventive and therapeutic care for all types and locations. Active member and current secretary of the Breast Pathology Unit at Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Participation in clinical sessions, scientific meetings, congress organisation and research
• Member of the Breast Pathology Unit at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital since 2006 and member of its Standing Committee since its establishment in 2012.
• Lipoedema and body health. Diagnostic assessment and personalised treatment. Medical management of fat deposits, cellulite and lipoedema. Mesotherapy, medical devices, manual lymphatic drainage. Prescription of personalised compression garments

Professional Career

• Director, Facial Paralysis and Rehabilitation Working Group,
  Sociedad Española de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física (SERMEF) (2023–present).
• Coordinator, Facial Paralysis Unit,
  Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid (2013–present).
• Head of the Musculoskeletal Section,
  Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,
  Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid.
• Member, Breast Pathology Unit,
  Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid.
• Member, Lymphology Unit,
  Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid.
• Consultant Physician,
  Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,
  Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid (2006–present).
• Author, Strategic Plan for the specialty of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,
  Comunidad de Madrid (2012–2014).
• Medical Coordinator, Lymphoedema Unit,
  Hospital MDA, Madrid (2010–2011).
• Managing Director, Instituto de Rehabilitación Médica (IREMED),
  Corporación Fisiogestión (2001–2006).

Academic Training

• Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, MIR training at Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid (1995–1999).
• Master’s Degree in Disability Assessment (Somatic modality), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
• Master’s Degree in Management Training for Healthcare Executives,
  Corporación Fisiogestión, Barcelona (2002–2003).
• Master’s Degree in Strategic Management of Scientific Societies,
  ESADE, Madrid (2007–2008). (2007-2008)
• PhD in Medicine,
  Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
  Doctoral thesis: ULL-27 Quality of Life Questionnaire: a specific instrument for patients with upper limb lymphoedema after breast cancer. Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Spanish version.
  Grade: Cum Laude (2015).
• Attendance at more than 130 Continuing Medical Education courses.

Affiliations

• Clinical Professor of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,
  Universidad de Alcalá (since 2006).
• Full Member of the Sociedad Española de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física.
• Treasurer of the Sociedad Española de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física (SERMEF) (2008–2012).
• Associate Professor,
  Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (1999–2002),
  teaching Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Nursing.

Awards and Distinctions

• Best Ideas Award 2007, Diario Médico (Environment category),
  “Lymphoedema School”, Barcelona.
• Award from the Sociedad Centro de Rehabilitación (63rd Scientific Meeting),
  “Rehabilitation treatment of breast cancer sequelae”, Madrid (2010).
• Award from SERMEF (52nd Congress),
  “Telemedicine in lymphoedema”. Second Prize, II Clinical Case Competition (2014),
  “Right peripheral facial paralysis: clinical evolution of a case”.
• Author of numerous scientific publications, book chapters and clinical practice guidelines in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
• Lecturer in multiple national continuing education programmes for rehabilitation physicians.