Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
During this month, we honor the achievements of Hispanic medical professionals, researchers, and thought leaders who have left a mark on the field. We also shed light on some valuable health statistics and insights within the Hispanic community. Join us in a celebration of cultural diversity and medical excellence.
Thieme Spotlight
Dr. Alfredo Hoyos
Biography
Dr. Alfredo Hoyos is a board certified plastic surgeon from Colombia, who created High-Definition Liposuction and other advanced body contouring techniques in plastic surgery. He specializes in plastic surgery, aesthetic plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, and hand surgery.
Dr. Hoyos received his bachelor's and M.D in Colombia. He came to New York City to complete visiting fellowships in Aesthetic surgery at New York University and did same for Maxillofacial surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital and for Facial Aesthetic surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.
He is the author of several scientific articles that discuss innovative body contouring techniques. He has also trained hundreds of plastic surgery physicians in the Liposculpture procedures and travels the world to share his knowledge with cosmetic surgeons. With his new perspective of modern medicine, he found the relationship between art and human anatomy.
“Hispanics, in an excellent way, are reshaping the way we do things in all aspects.” — Dr. Hoyos
Dr. Rodrigo Navarro – Ramirez
Biography
Dr. Rodrigo Navarro-Ramirez is a Neurosurgeon with “DUAL” training in Pediatric/Adult Scoliosis and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. He is originally from Mexico City and grew up in Morelos, Mexico where he attended the Morelos State University before moving back to Mexico City to continue with his studies at the Mexico National University. He is currently an Assistant Professor & Associate Surgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic Florida. He has over 1700 citations, 50 peer-reviewed publications and many awards including the 2016 Best Research Award, AO Spine North America Fellows (USA/Canada). He is proud of his Hispanic background and shares passion for teaching, training, research, and innovation.
Fun Fact: Dr. Navarro-Ramirez an avid cyclist, street photographer and working on becoming café barista.
- His favorite groupset: DURA ACE
- His favorite lens: 70-200 2.8f
- His favorite coffee: Light Roast-Ethiopian
Dr. Gustavo Patino
Biography
Dr. Gustavo Patino is currently a Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. His research interests include neurophysiology, anatomy and basic mechanisms of neurological disease, development of technology-based study materials, biomedical graduate training, ion channels and channelopathies, protein folding, and neuronal modeling. His primary research focuses on the basic mechanisms of seizures in genetic and acquired epilepsies and biomedical education.
Dr. Patino received his M.D. from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Most of his studies in Colombia focused on clinical training, so when he came to the U.S., his biggest challenge was getting exposure to research extensive programs. Luckily his mentors and professors at the University of Michigan, where he eventually got his M.S. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience, provided him with the support he needed.
His interest in the medical field comes from an eagerness to learn about everything and understand people and their behavior. As a lover of science, he developed his biggest passion for the nervous system. His approach as a medical educator is asking the question, "How can this be applied in real life?"
“Medicine will benefit from the things you bring, both your unique identity and cultural background. Because of this, don't be afraid of expressing yourself and leave your comfort zone.” — Dr. Patino
Dr. Justin Perez
Biography
Dr. Justin Perez is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the Medical Director of Marina Plastic Surgery by Athenix. He is one of the aesthetic fellowship directors for the USC-Marina Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship, considered the top plastic surgery fellowship in the U.S. He is a leading partner within the industry and provides only the best cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical treatments to his patients. Dr. Perez has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in the field of aesthetic surgery and has extensive training and skill in complex facial and breast aesthetics. Dr. Perez takes a tailored approach to each patient’s cosmetic goals and is passionate about making sure that his patients are the star of the show.
Fun Fact: Dr. Perez is SCUBA certified!
Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
Biography
Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa has dedicated his life to finding a cure for brain cancer. He is a leader in brain mapping techniques utilized to safely remove tumors. He focuses on the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors.
Before becoming who we know today as "Dr. Q," he was an undocumented migrant worker in the farms of central California. Born in a tiny village in Mexico, he came to America for a better life. With drive and passion, he overcame adversity and is now an internationally renowned neuroscientist and neurosurgeon.
He has published his impactful story in the autobiography, "Becoming Dr. Q." He was also featured in a Netflix episode of the docuseries, "The Surgeon's Cut." His life is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and he has become an inspiration to many people in the Hispanic community.
“Pursue your dreams. Learn to imagine light when the rest of the world only sees darkness.” — Dr. Q
Journal Issue Highlight
Digestive Disease Interventions - Latin American Edition
Read moreJournal Highlights
Historical Perspective
Jose Celso Barbos
Jose Celso Barbosa became the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree in the United States. His achievement was a major milestone for the Hispanic community, and it paved the way for future generations of doctors.
Dr. René Favaloro
René Favaloro, an Argentine cardiac surgeon, revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease with his pioneering work on coronary artery bypass surgery. This procedure has saved millions of lives around the world.
Education – Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Learn moreUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Learn moreHealth Awareness
About 8 in 10 adult Hispanics are overweight or obese, and Hispanic children are twice as likely to be obese as non-Hispanic children. Excess weight can increase the risk for several serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
About 40 percent of adults in the United States are expected to develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. However, more than 50 percent of Hispanics are expected to someday be diagnosed with it.
Nearly 1 in 4 Hispanics have high blood pressure, which can be a precursor to a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or heart failure.
Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have kidney failure compared to other Americans. In fact, 20 percent of people on the kidney transplant waiting list are Hispanic.
28.1% of Hispanics ages 18-64 are without healthcare insurance coverage, and 7% of children under 18 are uninsured
Sourced from Scripps Health and Northwestern Medicine.