The anniversary was also a celebration for Dr. John W. Ragsdale III of Duke University, a long-standing OMI supporter who returned as course director for the fifth time. Together with a team of exceptional volunteering faculty from Duke, he has helped create a setting in which physicians from across Latin America can exchange experiences and explore new approaches to patient care.
Reflecting on the past five years, Dr. Ragsdale emphasized the value of bringing physicians together in person. The seminars, he explained, “encourage the exchange of ideas and the development of new models of care while reminding participants that, despite their different backgrounds, they have much in common and can learn from one another.”
This exchange is particularly relevant in Latin America, where family medicine and primary health care have developed differently across countries. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has documented a range of approaches to organizing primary care in the region, with countries such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay offering different experiences in service delivery, community engagement, and the organization of health systems. Despite these differences, common priorities include more comprehensive and coordinated care, stronger prevention, and improved access to health services. Sharing practical experiences across borders can help physicians consider how successful approaches might be adapted to their own clinical settings.
The 2026 seminar brought together fellows from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This diversity provided an opportunity to compare perspectives shaped by different health systems and patient populations, while working toward a shared goal of delivering more effective, accessible, and patient-centered care.
The course addressed key topics in mother and child health, alongside the importance of communication in clinical practice. Workshops explored how physicians can approach difficult conversations and communicate serious or sensitive information in ways that respect patients’ emotions and individual needs. As Dr. Ragsdale noted, “healthcare professionals must consider not only what information they communicate, but also the pace at which patients can process and reflect on it.”
For Dr. Paula Corredor from Colombia, the lecture on menopause by Dr. Andrea B. Dotson was a particular highlight: “Menopause was my favorite lecture because I believe it is an important topic that is still not discussed or addressed enough in Latin America. I learned a great deal from the session, especially practical clinical insights that I can apply in my daily practice and share with my patients and colleagues.”
Dr. Ragsdale was joined by Dr. Anne Berry, Dr. Andrea B. Dotson, and Dr. Sara Martin from Duke University. The seminar also welcomed Dr. Aonesti Williams, a family medicine resident at Duke.
Five years of family medicine seminars in Mexico have created a foundation for the collaboration between physicians across Latin America and the international faculty who support the program. As the OMI MEX seminars enter their next chapter, we look forward to building on the relationships established over the past five years, and to continuing the exchange of knowledge that helps physicians improve care for their patients and communities.
Paula Corredor, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Colombia
Rocio Kutner, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Argentina
Lucía de Vida, MD
OMI MEX fellow from Uruguay
