Dr Begoña Etcheverry
A urologist specialising in urogenital reconstructive surgery, gender-affirming surgery and advanced robotic surgery. She is a member of the Urology Department at Bellvitge University Hospital and the Uroequip team in Barcelona.
From Viña del Mar, Chile, to a European pioneer in robotic vaginoplasty
Born in Viña del Mar, Chile, Dr Begoña Etcheverry qualified in Medicine at the University of Valparaíso in 2009. During her training, she was first introduced to gender-affirming surgery at Carlos Van Buren Hospital in Valparaíso while studying under Dr Guillermo MacMillan. There, she discovered a field of surgery with the potential to affirm identity and improve quality of life.
She moved to Spain to complete her specialist training in Urology at Bellvitge University Hospital. She subsequently undertook an observer fellowship with Professor David Ralph at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), an internationally recognised centre for andrology and genital reconstructive surgery, and gained FECSM accreditation in sexual medicine.
In September 2019, she trained in vaginoplasty at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon with Dr Nicolas Morel-Journel and Dr Jean-Étienne Terrier, leading European specialists in gender-affirming surgery who also supported the programme’s first cases. That same year, she helped establish the gender-affirming surgery programme at Bellvitge University Hospital, now a national referral programme with more than 120 vaginoplasties performed.
She later trained in robotic peritoneal flap vaginoplasty at NYU Langone Health in New York with Dr Lee C. Zhao. She subsequently introduced the technique at Bellvitge University Hospital, making it one of the first centres in Europe to offer the procedure. Alongside her clinical practice, she conducts research in robotic surgery and kidney transplantation.
Training and experience, year by year
“My pleasure Begoña, see you in Barcelona in 10 days for your first vaginoplasty.”
— Dr Jean-Étienne Terrier · CHU Lyon · September 2019A highly experienced team
Working with you towards the best possible outcome. Where appropriate, specialist nursing and plastic surgery colleagues form part of your care team.
Certifications, professional societies and languages
Certified robotic surgeon
- Da Vinci Multi Port — certified in 2022
- Versius CMR (UK) — certified in 2025
- Da Vinci Single Port — certified in 2026
Professional societies
- Col·legi de Metges de Barcelona
- European Association of Urology (EAU)
- Spanish Association of Urology
- Societat Catalana d’Urologia (SCU)
- American Urological Association
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
Languages
- Spanish — native
- French — advanced (DELF, DALF)
- English — upper-intermediate
- Catalan — basic
Evidence underpinning every surgical decision
Dr Etcheverry is actively involved in research across robotic surgery, kidney transplantation, reconstructive urology and transgender health. Her work includes publications in indexed international journals such as BJU International and European Urology, as well as presentations at leading national and international urology conferences.
She is also a peer reviewer for Actas Urológicas Españolas, the official journal of the Spanish Association of Urology. Her clinical practice follows the international WPATH Standards of Care, Version 8 for transgender health.
Four specialist areas, one goal: function and quality of life
Your case deserves a considered and honest assessment
If you are considering reconstructive, robotic or gender-affirming surgery, the first step is an open discussion about your circumstances, treatment options and expectations.
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Our team will guide you through the initial assessment, whether in person or remotely, and explain the next steps.