Her trips have always had some connection with her job, giving her the opportunity to get a close look at the current situation in the Region. Her conclusion is that while science, medicine, and organizations around the world make a contribution, the fact that there has not been a single a case of wild polio in the Americas since 1991 is above all due to the determination of society itself. "What made it possible to eliminate the three circulating wild polioviruses here before anywhere else in the world was a major social mobilization effort," she contends. "Those were times of war. For example, El Salvador was in the middle of a civil war, but they paused the conflict for a day so that people could be vaccinated. It was epic,” she recalls.
At a time when the world is resorting to vaccines, prevention, and surveillance to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, examples such as these are what convinced the doctor that sooner or later, even if it doesn't happen during her career, polio eradication will become a reality. For this reason, while she is preparing to pass the baton on to future generations, she puts particular emphasis on dedication to service, love of one’s work, and having the sense to take education seriously. These are values she feels are essential to overcome obstacles in a career with so much sacrifice, and to forever maintain the mystique surrounding institutes such as Malbrán. "I still feel very young and have many things ahead that I love doing," she explains. As emotional as she was when the conversation began, she concludes, "But looking back, I believe that in some ways I led the way with my work. And knowing that, I feel complete.”