Across Latin America, diabetes, obesity, and lipid disorders have become one of the region’s most pressing health challenges. Mexico has one of the highest rates of obesity among OECD countries, while diabetes remains one of the country’s leading causes of death and disability. The prevalence of such conditions has increased the demand for physicians who are equipped with the latest scientific evidence and practical strategies for prevention, early diagnosis, and long-term management. Recent research published in leading medical journals and reports from organizations including the National Lipid Association (NLA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to highlight the need for multidisciplinary approaches to improving metabolic health across Latin America.
Aware of the need for training in the field, OMI MEX recently concluded the first seminar in Lipid Metabolism, Diabetes, and Obesity in Mexico City. The seminar received one of the highest number of applications ever for an OMI MEX program, leading to the selection of a larger class than usual. In total, 52 fellows from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Paraguay participated in the seminar, also representing the largest number of Latin American countries ever brought together in an OMI MEX course.
The seminar was directed by Dr. Jessica M. Peña of Weill Cornell Medicine, who has served as an OMI faculty member since 2019. She was joined by an international faculty that reflected both global expertise and regional leadership, including Dr. Alan S. Brown (Weill Cornell Medicine), Dr. Ada Cuevas (Advanced Center for Metabolic Medicine and Nutrition [CAMMYN], Santiago, Chile), Dr. Sergio Hernández Jiménez (Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico City), and Dr. Roopa Mehta (Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico City). Bringing together specialists from the United States, Chile, and Mexico provided fellows with a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities in cardiometabolic care across different healthcare systems while maintaining a strong focus on the realities of Latin America.
Reflecting on the academic program, Dr. Peña summarized the seminar:
“Over the course of the seminar, we covered fundamental concepts in lipid metabolism, genetic dyslipidemias, diabetes, and obesity, along with the latest developments in pharmacotherapy and real-world implementation of care models for individuals with diabetes.”
Throughout the seminar, fellows explored the biological mechanisms underlying lipid disorders and metabolic disease while examining how advances in genetics, pharmacological therapies, and evidence-based clinical practice are changing patient care. Discussions extended to the practical implementation of treatment strategies, emphasizing multidisciplinary care and approaches that can be adapted to diverse healthcare settings across Latin America.
Beyond the academic program, the seminar cultivated professional exchange among physicians facing many of the same healthcare challenges in their respective countries. Dr. Peña reflected on her experience:
“Teaching in this inaugural course in lipid metabolism, diabetes, and obesity has been very rewarding. I am inspired by the level of enthusiasm, engagement, and commitment of our fellows. I am also touched by their camaraderie and know that the connections made during our brief time together in Mexico City will continue beyond this seminar.”
The OMI is also grateful to Dr. Peña and Dr. Brown for their continued commitment to medical education through the Open Medical Institute. Following this successful inaugural seminar in Mexico City, both faculty members will return to teach at OMI’s seminar in Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis in Salzburg this September.
As the burden of diabetes, obesity, and lipid disorders continues to grow throughout Latin America, opportunities for advanced medical education will continue to be essential. Bringing together internationally recognized faculty and physicians from across the region, we will continue to strengthen clinical knowledge, encourage collaboration, and support improvements in patient care. The remarkable interest in this inaugural seminar demonstrated the demand for high-quality education in metabolic medicine and the commitment of Latin American physicians to addressing one of the region’s most significant health challenges.
Elizabeth Elena Aguirre Céspedes, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Ecuador
Leandro Heffner, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Argentina
Eliana Belen Insaurralde Franco, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Paraguay
Guilherme Gaia, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Brazil
It was extraordinary to learn from the experiences of fellows from other countries. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet colleagues who share the same passion as I do and to find out how the availability of various drugs differs from one country to another.
