Assoc. Prof. Dr. Isabel Rodríguez Sánchez is a specialist in Geriatrics at Clínico San Carlos University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health and serves as an associate professor at the Complutense University of Madrid. Her research focuses on frailty, chronic disease, and functional impairment in older adults, with over 25 scientific publications, many in high-impact journals. Dr. Rodríguez Sánchez also contributes to national health policy as a member of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices.

Profile

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Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Isabel Rodríguez Sánchez began her academic journey with a strong foundation in medicine, graduating from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 2014. Her passion for improving the lives of older adults through evidence-based medical practice guided her specialization in Geriatrics, a field she pursued through rigorous training at the Hospital Universitario La Paz, one of Spain’s most reputable institutions for medical education. Her commitment to research and academic excellence was further solidified with the completion of a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2021. Her doctoral thesis, “Dolor crónico, deterioro funcional y enfermedad cardiovascular en las personas mayores,” earned the highest distinction: Cum Laude with an Extraordinary Doctorate Award.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Rodríguez Sánchez has accumulated a wealth of clinical experience across several prestigious Spanish institutions. She began her medical career as a Médico Interno Residente (MIR) in Geriatrics from 2015 to 2019 at Hospital Universitario La Paz. This formative period laid the groundwork for her deep understanding of aging, frailty, and complex chronic conditions in older adults.

From 2019 to 2020, she worked as a Geriatrics Specialist at the Hospital de Navarra and concurrently served as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Navarra, mentoring young medical students in geriatric medicine. Since 2020, she has held the position of Facultativo Especialista de Área (Consultant Geriatrician) at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, one of Spain’s leading academic hospitals.

In addition to her clinical roles, she was appointed as a Member of the Committee for the Safety of Medicines for Human Use at the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) in 2024, demonstrating her engagement with national health governance and patient safety.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Rodríguez Sánchez’s research has made significant contributions to the field of aging, particularly in the study of frailty, sarcopenia, chronic diseases, and functional impairment. She has authored or co-authored 25 scientific publications, with 13 published in top-tier Q1 journals, and accumulated over 1300 citations.

Her most notable work includes studies on functional decline following COVID-19 hospitalization in the elderly, multimorbidity in older adults, and the integration of technology for assessing pain and sarcopenia. She is also a co-author of seven book chapters, both in Spanish and international publications, further solidifying her expertise in Geriatrics.

Her research is interdisciplinary, often incorporating biomarkers, imaging (e.g., ultrasound for muscle mass), and digital health tools to enhance diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of geriatric syndromes.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Rodríguez Sánchez has earned numerous awards and recognitions that underscore her contributions to geriatric medicine. In 2022, she received the “Best Abstract – ECGI Category (Early-Career Geriatricians Initiative) Stefania Maggi Award” at the European Geriatric Medicine Society Congress in London. Her award-winning study focused on functional impairment in individuals aged 80+ following COVID-19 hospitalization—a prospective study that she both designed and led.

She has also been invited to serve as a peer reviewer for high-impact international journals, such as Aging Research Reviews, Frontiers, Environmental Research, and the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, reflecting her respected position in the global research community.

Impact and Influence

Beyond her publications, Dr. Rodríguez Sánchez actively influences healthcare practice and policy through project evaluations for national and international research funding bodies. Her involvement ensures that projects related to frailty, sarcopenia, post-stroke balance evaluation, and chronic pain management using technological solutions are rigorously assessed and guided by clinical relevance and scientific rigor.

Her dual roles in both clinical practice and academic teaching—as a professor at the Complutense University of Madrid since 2022—enable her to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. She teaches across multiple programs, including Medicine, Nutrition, and the Master’s in Nutrigenetics, promoting an integrated approach to geriatric care.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Isabel Rodríguez Sánchez stands out as a dynamic physician-researcher whose work bridges the gap between science, clinical care, and policy. Her dedication to improving health outcomes for older adults, especially the most vulnerable, positions her as a future leader in geriatric innovation.

Looking forward, she is expected to continue advancing multidimensional assessment tools, precision interventions for frailty and sarcopenia, and policy-oriented research that influences national and European standards of care for the elderly.

Her legacy is being built not only on her academic achievements and clinical expertise but also on her role as a mentor, educator, and advocate for dignified and effective aging care.

Publication Top Notes