During a recent trip to Spain, the Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (A-BE-C) participated in three meaningful engagements that together advanced global collaboration, clinical excellence, and patient-centered advocacy. These included a site visit to A-BE-C’s newest Bladder Exstrophy Center of Excellence at Fundació Puigvert in Barcelona, participation in the first-ever Global Congress on Advocacy and Community Collaboration, and continued partnership-building at the Asexve national conference in Madrid. Together, these moments reflect A-BE-C’s growing international impact and ongoing commitment to families affected by bladder exstrophy worldwide.

A Foundation for Excellence: Site Visit to Fundació Puigvert

The visit began in Barcelona with an in-depth site visit to Fundació Puigvert, recently designated as an A-BE-C Bladder Exstrophy Center of Excellence—the only one of its kind in Europe.

Fundació Puigvert is the only hospital in Spain, and one of only a few in Europe, dedicated exclusively to urology, nephrology, andrology, and reproductive medicine. Its approach to care—interdisciplinary, compassionate, and deeply patient-centered—closely aligns with A-BE-C’s mission.

A-BE-C Executive Director Pamela Artigas met with hospital leadership including Helena Ris Romeu, President of the Patronato; Ramon Massaguer i Meléndez, Director General and Patrono Delegado; Esther Franquet Barnils, Nursing Director; and Dra. Anna Bujons Tur, Operations Director. She also spent time with the nursing, psychology, and social work teams whose work supports families far beyond the operating room.

Seeing colleagues Dra. Anna Bujons, Dra. Rocio Jimenez and Dr. Juan Osorio in their home institution was especially meaningful following shared humanitarian work together in India. The visit affirmed Fundació Puigvert’s designation as an A-BE-C Center of Excellence—recognized not only for clinical expertise, but for whole-person care.

Building Global Collaboration: The First Global Congress

Immediately following the site visit, A-BE-C joined advocacy organizations from around the world for the first-ever Global Congress on Advocacy and Community Collaboration, hosted by Dra. Anna Bujons Tur and the Fundació Puigvert team.

Representatives from Australia, South Africa, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and the United States came together with a shared goal: strengthening global support systems and improving access to reliable, evidence-based information and care.

Representing the U.S., Pamela Artigas and A-BE-C Board Member Janet Gibson participated in collaborative discussions focused on shared resources, education, and partnership-building. Thomas Exler, founder of Courage to Shine, contributed the vital perspective of patient advocacy.

“By working together across borders, we can ensure families feel supported and informed—no matter where they live,” shared Pamela Artigas.

The Congress concluded with a collective commitment to ongoing collaboration and global visibility for bladder exstrophy.

Continuing the Work: Advocacy and Partnership in Madrid

The trip concluded in Madrid, where Pamela attended the Asexve – Asociación de Extrofia Vesical, Cloacal y Epispadias Conference (October 31–November 2, 2025).

There, she spoke about A-BE-C’s advocacy work, the role of international Centers of Excellence, and the importance of global partnerships in improving long-term outcomes for individuals and families.

Looking Ahead

Together, these three engagements reflect A-BE-C’s growing international presence and our continued focus on what matters most: ensuring every child, adult, and family affected by bladder exstrophy has access to compassionate, evidence-based care—no matter where they live.