Building a Latin American Community in Maternal and Infant Health

Oaxaca is recognised for its remarkable cultural and linguistic diversity, home to 16 indigenous ethnic groups and over 30 distinct languages. As such, the city mirrored the seminar’s multicultural cohort: clinicians from many nations, backgrounds and disciplines, all coming together around maternal and infant health.

The seminar was directed by Dr. Kathleen Brennan, who for the second time this year participated in an OMI course, following the maternal and infant health week in Salzburg. Also returning for her second time was a true OMI veteran, Dr. Richard Polin, celebrating his 30th year since his first OMI seminar in 1995. Dr Polin is author of numerous publications in neonatology and maternal–infant medicine, and we are truly grateful for his time and expertise. As fellow Dr Susana Gómez from Panama said:

“Dr. Richard Polin has invaluable knowledge and an exceptional ability to share it. Having the opportunity to read his books and then listen to his lectures is a great privilege.” We are honoured to count Dr Polin among our faculty.

From Columbia University, the faculty included Dr Jean-Ju Sheen and Dr Noelia Zork. From Mexico, we welcomed Dr. Carlos Navarro Martínez, President of the Academic Committee and Board Member of our partner foundation in Mexico, Alianza Médica para la Salud (AMSA).

Summarizing the seminar, Dr. Brennan shared:

“During last week’s OMI MEX conference on Maternal and Infant Health, we explored the bridges between neonatal and maternal health using the latest evidence to support current best practices. For instance, faculty and fellows discussed the related topics of maternal diabetes and neonatal hypoglycemia as well as antimicrobial stewardship. The group investigated management of common but critical perinatal physiology such as maternal cardiac arrest, hypertension in pregnancy, post-partum haemorrhage, and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus management. And finally, we explored the universally impactful best practices of delivering difficult news, shared decision-making, and prenatal counseling at extreme prematurity.”

Dr Brennan added a more personal reflection:

“Attending OMI MEX was truly transformative. The smaller size of the conference once again fostered an intimate environment that promoted collaboration and allowed for meaningful conversations and genuine connections with clinicians from diverse backgrounds. In the intimately interrelated fields of Neonatology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, we well understand the importance of collaborative approaches; and this conference highlighted this principle on a broad scale. Held in the culturally vibrant city of Oaxaca, Mexico, the setting added depth to the experience — offering a rich backdrop that highlighted the importance of context in global health and education. The conference featured wide representation from across Latin America and across disciplines, creating space for regional perspectives and innovations to be shared, compared, and celebrated. Our work encouraged open dialogue, mutual respect, and the opportunity for bidirectional learning. Indeed, all faculty reported that they found sharing perspectives, and learning from the conference fellows was as valuable and rewarding as being able to share the evidence behind current best practices. The time at OMI MEX not only deepened my understanding of global approaches to medicine but also underscored the importance of building long-term, cross-cultural relationships to advance teaching, learning, and patient care on a broader scale.”

From the fellow cohort, Dr. Nelson Ignacio Ramos Gutierrez from Nicaragua offered a powerful testimonial:

“I learned useful information to update the management and treatment of my patients, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues from other Latin American countries made me believe that medicine in our sister nations is now united.” Dr. Ramos Gutierrez’ words highlight the essence of what we aim to accomplish: fostering a united regional community of practice where healthcare professionals learn with and from one another.

This seminar reaffirmed that advancing maternal and infant health requires more than technical knowledge, but demands cross-disciplinary understanding, cultural awareness, and sustained networks. The international mix of fellows, the dynamic presence of faculty from Columbia and Mexico, and the inspiring cultural richness of Oaxaca created exactly that kind of environment.

We extend heartfelt thanks to all our faculty, especially Dr. Polin, whose decades of dedication continue to shape so many clinicians and educators. To our 35 fellows: we look forward to the effects of your work across your communities!