Dr Henry Gallardo begins his two-year term as the 37^th President of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) – a global non-profit, membership organization representing hospitals and healthcare associations across the globe. Dr Gallardo was elected in October 2023 and has served two years as President-Designate before taking up the position of President at the Closing Ceremony of the 48^th World Hospital Congress in Geneva (Switzerland) on 13 November 2025.

Dr Gallardo is Director General of Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (FSFB), Colombia, and Vice President of the Colombian Hospital Association Board. After earning his medical degree, he specialized in hospital management and in healthcare administration with an emphasis on social security systems, with subsequent roles as health and hospital director, director of health economics and reimbursement for the Latin America region, and university lecturer. Dr Gallardo has been a member of the IHF Governing Council since October 2018. He previously served as the IHF Treasurer between February 2022 and October 2023.

In starting his term as President, Dr Gallardo spoke about the landscape of healthcare leadership in the modern world.

“I have taken time to reflect on what this leadership role means to me. More broadly, what leadership means within our international network of hospitals – no matter our settings and contexts. I’ve asked myself what truly connects us? Where can our actions have the greatest impact when we work together?

I’m excited to say that I’m looking forward to advancing on low-carbon and resilient care, among the other big issues that we face today. Our sector can demonstrate what it means to be a caregiver and to heal beyond the walls of the hospital. Throughout my presidency, you will hear me encouraging my peers to embrace sustainability and to join me on this journey.”

As President of the IHF, Dr Gallardo succeeds Dr Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer of Dubai Health and Vice Provost for Clinical Affairs of Mohammed Bin Rashid University in the UAE. Having served on the IHF’s Governing Council since 2016, Dr Tahlak remains a highly valued member of its Executive Committee, and will now serve a two-year term as Past President.

Dr Tahlak was the first woman from the Middle East region to step into the presidency, and the third female president of the IHF. The first was Gillian Morgan, former CEO of the UK’s NHS Confederation (for the term 2003–2005), with Ms Deborah Bowen, President and CEO of the American College of Healthcare Executives, serving as the second female President (2021–2023).

Reflecting on her presidency, Dr Tahlak shared a positive vision of the future.

“Throughout my presidency, I have witnessed so many examples of the power of cross-cultural collaboration. There is no doubt that healthcare leadership is stronger when we listen across languages, disciplines, and borders. When we share our success stories, we exchange more than good news. We also share our knowledge. Our innovative ideas. Our new approaches to serving the people in our communities.  Together, we are driving transformation of the level, standard, quality, operational efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare service delivery.”

New IHF President-Designate appointed

As the presidency formally transitions, a new President-Designate was announced this week. Dr Wang-Jun Lee, Executive Director of the Korean Hospital Association, was elected by the IHF’s General Assembly to serve as President-Elect for the period 2025–2027 before assuming the presidency.

Dr Lee shared his thoughts on international collaboration.

“For the past 15 years, I have represented the Korean Hospital Association in IHF activities, advancing collaboration and hospital leadership worldwide. I am committed to strengthening Asian membership to expand the global network, ensuring that the IHF reflects the diversity of the worldwide hospital community. I aim to build on the foundation of past IHF leadership, ensuring that the IHF remains agile and responsive to global healthcare challenges.”