From July 14-16, 2025, OMI MEX hosted its first Weill Cornell Seminar in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, and it marked an important step for medical education in Latin America. Held in Mexico City, the seminar brought together 35 fellows from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Paraguay for three days of learning and exchange.
Representing a diverse mix of residents and practicing anesthesiologists, the fellows had the unique opportunity to engage closely with a distinguished faculty from Weill Cornell Medicine. Among them was course director Dr. Hugh C. Hemmings, Jr., chair of anesthesiology and senior associate dean for research at Weill Cornell, a leading figure in the field whose contributions to anesthesiology span decades. Dr. Hemmings is author of the widely referenced textbook “Pharmacology and Physiology for Anesthesia”, an important piece for anesthesiology education worldwide, which was awarded to a fellow participant at the course in Mexico. Dr. Hemmings’ presence reinforced the academic rigor and depth of the program.
Our course director was joined by Dr. Jaime Aaronson, Dr. Rebecca Martinez, and Dr. John Rubin. From Mexico, Dr. JosĂ© Guillermo DomĂnguez-Cherit, deputy director of critical care medicine at the Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition and regional dean at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, added local expertise to the faculty.
In his statement to the OMI, Dr. Hemmings shared:
“The 2025 OMI MEX Weill Cornell Seminar in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care was a rewarding and intense three-day seminar attended by four Weill Cornell faculty and one faculty from Mexico Coty delivering 13 lectures and two case presentation workshops. The 35 fellows came from nine countries including Mexico and a number of other Latin American countries. Topics included neuropharmacology, perioperative medicine, obstetric anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and critical care, which generated lively discussions and engagement with the fellows. The enthusiasm and high level of questions facilitated interactions among the fellows and faculty, which led to the formation of many new friend and colleague relationships.”
Reflecting on his first time leading the seminar in Mexico, Dr. Hemmings states:
“It was a pleasure to lead this course in Mexico City due to the high caliber of the faculty and fellows, and the seamless organization of the program by the OMI MEX staff. It was rewarding to see the successful model developed in Salzburg translated to Latin America, where there was a clear appetite for this special approach to medical education. This appetite for learning inspired the faculty, which created a lively and interactive seminar facilitated by the excellent faculty, motivated fellows, well-organized administrative team, and lovely setting. It was inspiring and satisfying to see the Salzburg approach so successfully translated to Mexico.”
The importance of excellence in anesthesia care cannot be overstated. As emphasized in Weill Cornell’s academic philosophy and echoed in Dr. Hemmings’ literature, high-quality anesthetic management is critical across virtually all surgical and intensive care contexts. A deep understanding of pharmacology, physiology, and evolving clinical practices directly impacts patient outcomes and safety.
For many participants, the experience was both professionally and personally transformative. As Dr. Rosalia Obelar from Paraguay mentioned:
“The seminar was a game-changer for me. It equipped me with the skills to tailor anesthesia care to each patient’s unique needs. Meeting fellow doctors and experiencing a new country was an added bonus.”
With heartfelt thanks to the dedicated faculty, and in particular to Dr. Hugh C. Hemmings, Jr., a global reference in anesthesiology, we celebrate the conclusion of this important milestone and look forward to many future editions!
