Empowering Doctors, Inspiring Change: The 2025 OMI MEX Neurology Seminar

Oct 21, 2025

The story of OMI in Mexico started more than a decade ago. As in Salzburg and Vietnam, the impact of knowledge-sharing and medical collaboration in the respective regions is constant and growing. One seminar at a time, each fellow brings back life-changing skills to their home institutions, with a powerful multiplying effect affecting patients and healthcare nationwide. Just in 2025, OMI MEX has already trained more than 360 physicians and health specialists from multiple countries in Latin America. After every year, we strive to do more with the support of each faculty member and academic institution we are lucky to count on.

From October 13-15, we wrote another chapter in Mexico with a successful Neurology seminar in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine. With 30 fellows representing Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama, the course was a reflection of both the growing demand of quality training and OMI’s presence in the region.

The Weill Cornell seminar in Neurology is a staple at OMI. This year, we inaugurated a three-year curriculum encompassing diverse core areas: Vascular, Epilepsy, Movement, Peripheral Nerve, and Neuro-Ophthalmology. According to our longstanding supporter and this year’s course director, Dr. Joshua Weaver, the seminar “covered a broad array of topics including movement disorders, peripheral neuropathy, updates in stroke care, neurological intensive care, headache, nystagmus, epilepsy management, and autoimmune encephalitis.”

Leading the seminar as co-director was Dr. Eugen Trinka from the General Hospital of Salzburg, Austria, making the seminar a true hub of leading specialists representing Europe, North America, and Latin America. Dr. Trinka is an OMI longstanding supporter, with his first seminar participation in Salzburg going as far back as 1996. A true member of OMI’s family, we were honored to have counted with his participation in Mexico this year, as well as in Salzburg.

From Weill Cornell, we were joined by Dr. Baxter Allen and Dr. Marc Dinkin. Dr. Dinkin is a specialist in neuro-ophthalmology and also joined us in Salzburg this year for the Weill Cornell seminar in ophthalmology, bridging two disciplines and two OMI seminars! From Mexico, we counted on the participation of Dr. Héctor Rubén Martínez-Hernández from the ABC Medical Center.

Reflecting on his personal experience, Dr. Weaver shared: “Once again, the OMI MEX Neurology Seminar was an amazing experience! We had a large group of fellows representing many Latin American countries. They were highly engaged, eager to learn, and eager to teach. It was a fruitful international collaboration, and all of our faculty were truly impressed with the caliber of the group.”

After each seminar, we are reminded of why we started, and we continue to draw inspiration from every fellow who takes time from their busy routines to enhance their skills in the best interest of their communities. As Dr. Marian Alinet Javier Saldana from the Dominican Republic shared: “the seminar reinforced my passion for neurology and reminded me of the importance of continuous learning, collaboration, and curiosity in medicine. I left feeling more motivated and better prepared to apply this knowledge in my future practice.”

Here’s to many more chapters of OMI MEX!

Camila Alexander Montoya, MD

OMI MEX fellow from Colombia

The faculty was kind and made me feel comfortable asking all of my questions. I learned that Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension has many mimics and that it is important to study it thoroughly before making a diagnosis. I also gained a better understanding of how to apply AI technology to Parkinson’s disease in my practice in Colombia, which will be very useful.

Carlos Daniel Garcia Antonio, MD

OMI MEX fellow from Mexico

The seminar provided an excellent opportunity to update my clinical knowledge, engage with outstanding faculty, and exchange ideas with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. I left feeling more confident, motivated, and committed to applying what I learned to enhance patient care and continue growing professionally.

Marian Alinet Javier Saldana, MD

OMI MEX fellow from Dominican Republic

Attending this seminar was an enriching and inspiring experience that deepened my understanding of key neurological topics and their real-world applications. Beyond its academic value, it also marked a moment of personal and professional growth. The experience reinforced my passion for neurology and reminded me of the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in medicine.

Mohammed Zahran, MD

OMI MEX fellow from Nicaragua

I was particularly impressed with the lecture on the clinical approach to Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. I am eager to integrate different diagnostic strategies and practical management tips into my daily practice, which will directly enhance the quality of care I can offer to my patients and will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of neurodegenerative disorders here in Nicaragua.

ACCESS SEMINAR PROGRAM HERE