During the event held on December 1, the Medical program at the University of Cauca hosted its 5th Alumni Reunion and highlighted the contributions made by its professionals to society.

With recognitions for its students, professors, and alumni, the Medical Program Committee and the Department of Surgical Sciences, supported by the Faculty Council, the Alumni Office, and sponsored by the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences, celebrated Doctor's Day and the 5th Alumni Reunion of the Medical Program on December 1 in the Founders' Hall of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences.

The event featured the presentation of the lecture "Trauma from Helping and Self-Care in Health Professionals," delivered by psychiatrist and professor from the Department of Internal Medicine, Liliana Charry Lozano. The lecture highlighted how the illness, pain, and suffering of patients make doctors not only responsible for their care and/or relief but also emotionally, mentally, and physically draining, fostering "helper trauma" or "burnout," which increasingly affects health professionals. It emphasized the need to develop self-care strategies to protect and allow them to maintain their health and well-being, renewing the humanitarian essence of medicine.

Provided photo

During the Alumni Reunion program, the "Golden Torch" awards were presented to eleven Medical Program students who earned the Honor Roll in the previous semester. These awards are intended to recognize and exalt their commitment, dedication, and strong university spirit for their excellent academic performance.

Similarly, the "Great Golden Torch" awards were given to six doctors from the Clinical Medicine Postgraduate programs who achieved the highest academic performance in the past year, also highlighting their commitment, dedication, and university spirit in medical-surgical specialties.

Provided photo

In this ceremony, the "Hippocratic" distinctions were also awarded by the Faculty Council to eleven professors from the Medical Program who have carried out their professional or teaching duties for over 25 years. These awards recognize their responsibility, dedication, and teaching spirit in the training of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.

Finally, as a highlight of this 5th Alumni Reunion, a special recognition was given to 13 alumni of the Medical Program with the "Posteris Lvmen" distinction, recently created by the Faculty of Health Sciences Council. This award acknowledges, exalts, and congratulates the human, academic, and professional commitment of its alumni in three categories: leadership in health management, academic leadership, and cultural leadership.

The distinction for leadership in health management was awarded to the following alumni doctors:Leidy Ximena Hurtado Muelas, Manager of IPS Mamá Dominga in the Municipality of Silvia;César Edmundo Sarria Porras, Manager of the San José University Hospital in Popayán;Edgar Eduardo Villa, Manager of the Susana López de Valencia Hospital;Elmer Muñoz Rosero, Manager of ESE Centro 2;Ramiro Antonio Navia Díaz, Manager of ESE Centro 1;Jesús Alberto Carvajal Valencia, current Director of the Health Unit at the University of Cauca.

The "Posteris Lvmen" distinction for academic leadership was awarded to the following alumni doctors:Julián Alberto Herrera Murgüeitio, Family physician, educator, researcher, and former Dean of the Faculty of Health at the University of Valle;Yoisse Nathaly Velasco Rodríguez, researcher, educator, doctoral candidate in education, and current Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Cooperative University of Pasto (Nariño);Juan Pablo Dueñas Muñoz, Endocrine surgeon, researcher, and Surgeon at the Institute of Oncology - Clínica Las Américas (Medellín, Antioquia);Elkin Albeiro Muñoz Muñoz, Gynecologist and obstetrician, expert in reproductive medicine, researcher, and professor at the University of Vigo (Spain), where he directs the Reproductive Medicine Unit:Gustavo Adolfo Ospina Tascón, Internist, intensivist, Doctor in biomedical sciences, researcher, and professor of Medicine at the Icesi University, affiliated with Clínica Valle de Lili (Cali, Valle del Cauca).

The distinction for cultural leadership was awarded to the following alumni doctors:Fabio Arévalo Rosero, Specialist in Sports Medicine, communicator, award-winning athlete, researcher in public health, expert in urbanism, sustainable human development, and healthy cities. He is a university professor, national and international consultant, and civic guide at Unicauca Estéreo 104.1 FM; Camilo Ernesto Cifuentes Cortez, impersonator, humorist, comedian featured on various Colombian TV programs on RCN, Caracol TV, and Blu Radio. He is a special guest and winner of the "Sábados Felices" program, a conference speaker, and motivational coach recognized and applauded on numerous stages in Colombia, Latin America, the USA, and Europe. Additionally, he has participated in and supported various events of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Medicine program takes pride in its distinguished trajectory and congratulates all members of its academic community who uphold the program's reputation. This celebration coincides with the program's 73rd anniversary since its reopening, as well as marking the 196 years of our Alma Mater, the University of Cauca. Gratitude is extended to all directors, professors, administrative staff, and individuals whose contributions made this reunion possible.

For further information:

Faculty of Health Sciences
Email: fsalud@unicauca.edu.co