Gabriel Masfurroll Lacambra, one of the most influential reformers of private healthcare in Spain and a former vice president of the Barcelona football club, has passed away at the age of 72. His death was announced on Saturday, when representatives of the Clínicas Mi group reported the loss of their founder and leader. Masfurroll was not only an entrepreneur, but also a man who managed to transform the approach to managing medical institutions in the country.
His professional career began at the Santa Creu i Sant Pau hospital, where he first encountered the organization of medical processes. Later, he held executive positions at prestigious institutions such as Fundació Puigvert, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, and Clínica Quirón. Masfurroll served on the boards of both Spanish and international medical companies, allowing him to implement advanced standards and practices within the national healthcare system.
A trailblazer’s journey
In 1997, Masfurroll founded USP Hospitales—a network of private clinics that quickly expanded beyond Spain, opening branches in Portugal, Morocco, and Angola. Until 2010, he served as president and CEO of the company, before focusing on the development of a new project: Grupo Clínicas Mi. The first step toward establishing this group was taken in 2015, when Masfurroll acquired the Tres Torres clinic in Barcelona. Today, Grupo Clínicas Mi brings together medical centers in Barcelona and Lleida, continuing the legacy of its founder.
For his outstanding contribution to the development of healthcare in Catalonia, Masfurró was awarded one of the region’s highest honors — the Creu de Sant Jordi in 2008. His efforts extended beyond medicine: he was a member of the Social Council of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) for nine years and also became one of the founders of the Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down (FCSD).
Connection to Sports
Masfurró was not only a successful manager but also an athlete. In his youth, he was part of Spain’s national swimming team, competing at high-level events. His sports career laid the foundation for his later work in the management of Barcelona. From 1988 to 1992, he served on the club’s board, and from 2000 to 2003, he was vice president. Later, from 2010 to 2015, he headed the Barcelona Foundation, overseeing charity and social initiatives.
The football club expressed condolences to Masfurró’s family and loved ones, noting his significant contribution to the development of the club and to sports as a whole. In his memory, a minute of silence will be observed at Camp Nou before the match against Osasuna.
Legacy and Remembrance
Gabriel Masfurroll’s life became an example for generations of managers and athletes. His name is associated with innovation in medicine, support for social initiatives, and dedication to sports. He managed to combine experience in business, medicine, and sports, leaving behind not only successful projects, but an entire management philosophy based on respect for people and a pursuit of excellence.
Many colleagues and friends remember Masfurroll as someone who was always open to new ideas and never afraid to take responsibility for difficult decisions. His approach to work and life inspired more than one generation of professionals in Spain and beyond.
