Cárdenas University Learning Hospital
Cárdenas University Learning Hospital (Martino: Hospital Universitario del Aprendizaje de Cárdenas, HUAC) is a leading teaching and medical facility located in Cárdenas, the capital of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It is affiliated with the prestigious University of Cárdenas, specifically the Department of Health Science. It serves as the foremost centre for clinical education, advanced biomedical research, and primary medical care in Cárdenas and Santander. The hospital is renowned throughout the Federation for its cutting-edge treatments, teaching excellence, and medical innovation. HUAC is certified as a Level I Trauma Center, meaning it has its own specialists and operates 24/7 emergency services. The Hospital has an annual operating budget of over €7.3 billion - half of which is spent on personnel - with a further research budget of €900 million in collaboration with the University. It has a capacity of 2,100 inpatient beds (200 ICU), with 35 operating theatres. A total of 18,000 staff are employed, including 12,000 medical professionals and 1,500 researchers.
The architecture was designed originally by Gabriel Vasquez and Sabrina Olmann. It was built in a modernist style with reinforced weaponised concrete and curtain glass façades. Subsequent extensions were designed by other architects, including Oscar Pedero, Joaquin Mínguez, and Sofia Ferrandis. The last expansion was built in 1737 AN.
The hospital has been the location of several medical breakthroughs, including the first gene therapy for leukemia in 1726 AN, and the pioneering of AI-enhanced stroke diagnosis in 1738 AN. The hospital has consistently been ranked as #1 hospital in Nouvelle Alexandrie: between 1716 AN and 1723 AN, as well as between 1734 AN and 1737 AN.
History
Early Development
HUAC was established in 1698 AN as part of a citywide effort within the implementation of the national New Prosperity Plan to modernize healthcare and expand access to medical training in the newfound capital. Built adjacent to the University, it opened with 250 inpatient beds and a modest surgical ward, staffed primarily by university faculty and medical students. Its founding marked the beginning of a new era in health policy, focused on universal access, clinical education, and integrated care. One year later, the Hospital Metro station was inaugurated as part of the capital's growing underground network. It provided direct access to the hospital's main entrance and played a vital role in ensuring patient, staff, and student mobility throughout the rapidly growing city.
Expansion and Specialization
Recognizing the need for specialist care, the hospital launched a major expansion in he first decade of the 18th century, constructing dedicated wings for pediatrics, oncology, and trauma care. The most significant addition came in 1706 AN, with the opening of the San Pedro Cardiology Centre, a state-of-the-art institute focused on cardiovascular research and surgical intervention. This expansion was timed to coincide with the opening of the Cardiology metro station on Line C, providing direct rapid-transit access for cardiac patients, visitors, and medical staff. The hospital added more wings in the following years, including:
- The Valentina Arroyo Pediatric Clinic in 1709 AN, with a modern neonatal wing known for pioneering children's healthcare.
- The Advanced Trauma and Emergency Services Unit (USATE) in 1713 AN, designed to respond to urban and rural accidents with helicopter-accessible rooftops and highway emergency access.
- The Maria Solís Oncology Research Centre in 1716 AN, with stare-of-the-art facilities and methodologies for cancer therapies and clinical trials.
Recent Developments
In 1724 AN, HUAC became one of the founding members of the Cárdenas Medical Consortium, a network of hospitals and public health organizations within Cárdenas, Santander, and Wechua. With this consortium, HUAC launched its first mobile clinic in 1731 AN. In 1730 AN, the National Health Plan put forward by the government of Marissa Santini allocated over €15.8 billion towards the expansion, upgrading, and modernization of HUAC. The hospital upgrading existing facilities with new technologies and design, and expanded with new facilities:
- The Alfonso Patrón Nueroscience Centre in 1734 AN, with integrated MRI research labs and post-operative recovery units.
- The Elisa Donguerro Mental Health Clinic in 1737 AN, the first of its kind in Nouvelle Alexandrie to incorporate community-based psychiatry and integrated substance use treatment.
The success of this program has led to HUAC being designated a Specialist Centre of Excellence by the federal government in 1732 AN.
Facilities
HUAC currently operates over 2,100 inpatient beds, with a sprawling main campus that includes:
- Main Building (also known as Hogar del Corazón - Home of the Heart): General Medicine and Surgery Wards - The backbone of inpatient care, offering round-the-clock internal medicine, surgical, and post-operative services. Includes multiple ICUs, high-dependency units (HDUs), and a surgical step-down recovery suite. Includes:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Wing - Includes maternity suites, high-risk obstetrics, fetal imaging, and a Women’s Health Advocacy Office.
- Orthopaedic Wing - Offers trauma orthopedics, joint replacement surgery, and rehabilitation services.
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Wing - Provides comprehensive care for digestive diseases, including endoscopy, colonoscopy, and liver transplant evaluation.
- Ophthalmology and ENT Wing - Features surgical theatres for cataracts, glaucoma, cochlear implants, and complex skull-base procedures.
- Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology Wing - Includes MRI, CT, PET, X-Ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and interventional radiology suites.
- Valentina Arroyo Pediatric Clinic - Offers pediatric surgery, neonatal intensive care (NICU), pediatric ICU (PICU), and family-centered outpatient clinics.
- Advanced Trauma and Emergency Services Unit (USATE) - A state-of-the-art trauma center equipped to handle large-scale disasters, motor vehicle incidents, and complex emergency surgeries. Features:
- Dedicated resuscitation bays
- 24/7 surgical team coverage
- Helipad with rooftop trauma elevator access
- Isolation zones for biohazards
- Maria Solís Oncology Research Centre - Provides chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and integrated palliative care. Connected to a tissue biobank and experimental oncology labs through the University.
- Alfonso Patrón Nueroscience Centre - Offers advanced neurosurgery, stroke intervention, epilepsy monitoring, and neuro-rehabilitation. Includes intraoperative MRI capabilities and a sleep disorders wing.
- San Pedro Cardiology Centre - Houses cardiothoracic surgical theatres, a 24-hour catheterisation lab, electrophysiology units, and heart failure and transplant programs.
- Elisa Donguerro Mental Health Clinic - Offers inpatient psychiatric services, outpatient counseling, substance use recovery programs, and crisis response. Includes an adolescent behavioral wing and a forensic psychiatry division.
- Xavièr Olan Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic- A specialized unit for acute burn care, skin grafting, cosmetic reconstruction, and scar rehabilitation.
- San Gabriel Infectious Disease and Pandemic Response Centre - High-containment BSL-3 labs, negative pressure wards, and an outbreak response command center. Integral during past epidemics and now embedded in the national pandemic alert system.
- Public Health Outreach and Education Centre (CEEDSP) - Manages mobile clinics, multilingual health campaigns, vaccination drives, and rural health education. Trains community health workers and hosts international exchange programs.
- Hospital Simulation and Training Centre (CSFH, known colloqually as eSalud) - Used for continuous education of students, residents, and emergency teams through high-fidelity simulations and crisis drills.
The hospital also houses the University Healthcare Museum and Research Centre, one of the largest medical collections in Nouvelle Alexandrie.
The hospital has two annexes adjacent to the Main Building. The Administrative Annex houses the Dean of Medicine’s office, personnel lounges, and conference centers. It is connected by a skywalk to the USATE and the CEEDSP. It was completed in 1700 AN to integrate the day-to-day leadership, teaching, and strategy of HUAC into a central location. It is well-known for its stained-glass ceiling inscribed with scenes of the Four Pillars of Medicine (Beneficence, Autonomy, Compassion, and Justice).
The Allied Health Campus is the main hub for institutions, public agencies, industry partners, and nonprofit organizations that support, complement, and expand the hospital’s mission of cutting-edge care, education, and innovation. It was opened in 1704 AN to foster interdisciplinary cooperation between the hospital and private partners. It houses both the National Health Institute's Federal Centers for Cardiovascular Disease and the FC for Child Health. It also houses numerous biotech startups, medical device developers, and health data analytics firms in the so-called Biomedical Innovation Park. In 1728 AN, renown pharmaceutical developer Medinova opened a major branch, specializing in surgical tools development.
Administration
HUAC is governed by a Board of Directors, appointed jointly by the Secretary of Social Security and National Solidarity and the University of Cárdenas. Day-to-day operations are overseen by a Dean of Medicine. Since 1735 AN, the position has been filled by Dr. Amara Beltrán, a renowned epidemiologist and former advisor to the Federal Health Commission.
The hospital employs over 16,000 staff members, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, technicians, and administrative personnel. It also hosts approximately 3,800 medical students and 1,000 residents and fellows annually.
Administrative divisions include:
- Office of the Dean - provides strategic oversight of medical quality, patient outcomes, and professional standards; approves credentialing and continuing education requirements for physicians; and advises on major medical incidents, ethics reviews, and institutional emergencies.
- Office of Clinical Operations - Manages inpatient and outpatient care, bed logistics, and patient flow; oversees clinical department heads and standard operating procedures; coordinates nursing services, surgical scheduling, and multidisciplinary rounds; and ensures implementation of hospital-wide clinical guidelines and best practices.
- Office of Hospital Administration - Responsible for budgeting, HR, legal compliance, and procurement; manages facilities, construction projects, and utilities; oversees contract negotiations and partnerships with vendors and insurers; and coordinates board meetings and internal governance.
- Office of Academic Affairs - Coordinates all academic programming, curricula, and faculty appointments; oversees medical student affairs, internships, residencies, and fellowships; manages accreditation, academic audits, and teaching quality standards; and organizes lectures, seminars, and inter-institutional academic exchanges.
- Ethics and Patient Advocacy Unit - Reviews clinical trial proposals and oversees hospital-wide ethics compliance; advises on complex care decisions (e.g. end-of-life cases, organ allocation); provides mediation between patients, families, and care teams; and manages consent, complaint resolution, and patient rights initiatives.
- Office for Collaborations and Grants - Develops partnerships with foreign institutions, hospitals, and NGOs; applies for global health grants and coordinates donor-funded projects; supports visiting scholars, physicians, and medical delegations; and hosts exchange programs and oversees compliance with international standards.
- Office for Strategic Planning and Institutional Development - Leads long-term institutional strategy, expansions, and investment planning; Conducts risk analysis, performance forecasting, and scenario modeling; Coordinates with the Department of Social Security and National Solidarity on system-wide reforms; and oversees mergers, acquisitions, and affiliate hospital networks.
Clinical Divisions and Departments include:
- Emergency Medicine Division - Provides 24/7 emergency response & triage, mass casualty preparedness, disaster medicine, and ambulance & air rescue coordination.
- Department of Internal Medicine - Provides general diagnostics, chronic illness management, and systemic disease care.
- Department of Surgery - Provides general, orthopedic, cardiothoracic, vascular, and neurosurgery services; and minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted procedures.
- Department Cardiology - Provides advanced diagnostics and treatment for heart disease; and cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology operations.
- Department of Neurology - Provides Stroke assistance, epilepsy care, neurodiagnostics, and neuromuscular disorder care; collaborates with Psychiatry and Rehabilitation for holistic neurocare
- Department of Pediatrics - Provides Neonatal ICU, pediatric ICU, pediatric emergency services, pediatric oncology, surgery, developmental medicine, and immunizations.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Provides maternity services, labor & delivery services, prenatal diagnostics, reproductive health, fertility services, and gynecologic oncology.
- Department of Oncology - Provides chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical cancer trials; as well as tumor operations and and organ-specific oncology procedures (breast, GI, lung, etc.)
- Department of Psychiatry - Provides inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient therapy, substance use treatment, crisis stabilization units, adolescent psychiatry, and forensic assessments
- Department of Radiology and Imaging - Provides MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, PET, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology and image-guided procedures.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Science - Provides Biopsies, bloodwork, histopathology, diagnostic lab tests, infectious agent typing, toxicology, and forensic pathology.
- Department of Rehabilitation - Provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy; as well as post-surgical, stroke, and neuro-motor recovery programs.
- Pharmacy Service - Provides hospital-wide medication dispensing, compounding, and safety checks; runs inpatient and outpatient pharmacies; and supports therapeutic monitoring and pharmaceutical research.
- Security and IT Division - Provides physical security, access control, incident response; Cybersecurity and patient data protection; and risk mitigation planning for pandemics, fires, and security threats.
- Transport and Logistics Division - Manages patient transfers, supply chain logistics, and courier services; and oversees ambulance docking and airlift pads.
- Hospitality Division - Coordinates food services, interpreter services, and chaplaincy; conducts patient satisfaction surveys and service improvement campaigns; and manages visiting policies and concierge-style family services.
- Facility Service - Maintains buildings and equipment, transport links, utilities, waste systems; and oversees expansions, retrofits, and campus greening initiatives.
