Today the Barcelona city government awarded Esther Koplowitz the Gold Medal for Scientific Merit, the city's highest distinction, in recognition of her extraordinary philanthropic work to promote science, and biomedical research in particular.

This medal recognizes her efforts at the helm of the Esther Koplowitz Foundation, which is dedicated primarily to social work and to helping the needy.

The Foundation built and equipped the La Nostra Casa Retirement Home in Fort-Pienc for elderly people without resources, and the Esther Koplowitz Centre for Biomedical Research at Hospital Clínic, and donated them to the city of Barcelona. The biomedical research centre, on track to become one of Europe's leading facilities in the field, employs more than 350 scientists, i.e. 60% of researchers at the hospital, who study autoimmune, neurodegenerative, digestive, nutritional, and infectious diseases, among others.

Esther Koplowitz's philanthropic work includes the construction and outfitting of two retirement homes, in Barcelona and in Collado Villalba (Madrid), and a third home for people with physical and mental disabilities in Valencia. She also donated a da Vinci robotic surgical system to the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid, and provides financial support to other entities, associations, foundations and NGOs for their humanitarian and aid initiatives.

In addition to the Barcelona Medal, she has received numerous distinctions for her social and business achievements.