Mexico City, November 6, 2024. The Universidad Panamericana is proud to count among its graduates Dr. José Carlos Romo Dr. José Carlos Romoa member of the fourth generation of the School of Medicine of the School of Health Sciencesand currently head of the Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation at the Federico Gomez Children's Hospital of Mexico..
With a distinguished career in pediatric nephrology, Dr. Romo has dedicated his career to transforming patient care and training new generations of physicians with a profoundly humanistic approach.
Training and first steps in Pediatric Nephrology
Dr. Romo began his specialization in Pediatric Nephrology inspired by Dr. Gregorio Tomás Obrador. Dr. Gregorio Tomás Obrador VeraDirector General of Salud UP. His internship was made possible thanks to an agreement between the Universidad Panamericana and the Baylor University in HoustonTexas, where he where he gained experience in a highly demanding professional environment..
Since then, his career has been marked by an outstanding participation in research projects and scientific participation in research projects and scientific publications.. He has been a mentor in thesis of pediatric and nephrology residents, collaborating with various institutions to promote knowledge in his specialty.
In addition to his medical training, Dr. Romo has a master's degree in Bioethics, which has complemented his clinical practice with a comprehensive and ethical vision, focused not only on medical care but also on the respect and dignity of the patient. and ethical vision, focused not only on medical care but also on the respect and dignity of the patient.
Comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model
Upon assuming his role as head of the Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation at the Children's Hospital of Mexico, Dr. Romo identified the need to provide care that encompassed both the medical, psychological and nutritional aspects of his patients.
To achieve this, it implemented a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment model that includes psychology and nutrition supportin addition to specialized medical care.
This approach seeks to improve the quality of life for children and their families, especially for those who find in the hospital a refuge that they do not have at home.. The comprehensive care they receive in the hospital allows these patients to experience emotional and nutritional stability, an essential aspect for their recovery.an essential aspect for their recovery.
Leader in Pediatric Nephrology in Latin America
Founded more than 60 years ago, the Nephrology Department of the Children's Hospital of Mexico was a pioneer in pediatric nephrology worldwide and performed the first kidney transplant on a child in Mexico and Latin America. Under Dr. Romo's direction, the department has doubled its medical team and has increased its capacity to attend more than a dozen residents a year.
In addition, Dr. Romo's impact transcends Mexico's borders, Dr. Romo's impact transcends the borders of Mexico.. Thanks to a rotation program that allows residents from countries such as the Dominican Republic and Colombia to train at the hospital, the knowledge and experience acquired in pediatric nephrology is transferred to their communities of origin.
In this way, the department contributes to the development of new renal transplant programs for children in Latin America, the department contributes to the development of new renal transplant programs for children in Latin America, generating a positive impact on medical care throughout the region.The department thus contributes to the development of new renal transplant programs for children in Latin America, generating a positive impact on medical care throughout the region.
Making kidney disease and its challenges visible in Mexico
One of Dr. Romo's most recent projects has been to make visible the impact of kidney disease and the high mortality associated with the lack of adequate treatment in Mexico. to make visible the impact of kidney disease and the high mortality associated with the lack of adequate treatment in Mexico. The doctor led a study to present to various public bodies with the aim of obtaining funding for patients who cannot afford treatments such as dialysis.
The results of the study revealed a difficult reality: some children prefer to be hospitalized because there they receive food and companionshipconditions that they do not always find at home. This finding highlights the urgency of improving the quality of life of these patients outside the hospital setting, and reaffirms the need for a humanistic approach in pediatric nephrology. the need for a humanistic approach in pediatric nephrology.
In Mexico, many foundations provide essential support to patients in vulnerable conditions. Dr. Romo stresses the importance of these organizations in the context of medical care and has been able to establish collaboration agreements for the hospital to continue receiving support from foundations. and has been able to establish collaboration agreements so that the hospital continues to receive support from foundations. This support network not only covers medical needs, but also helps to connect patients with resources for medical care. helps connect patients to resources that improve their quality of life and overall well-being.
Teaching as a vocation and responsibility
In addition to his clinical work, the doctor has a great vocation for teaching. vocation for teaching.. As a professor at Universidad Panamericana, he recognizes the co-responsibility involved in training future physicians and the influence that a teacher can have on his students.
Thus, he considers that teaching is not only transmitting knowledge, but it is necessary to do it with humility and clarity, simplifying complex concepts, simplifying complex concepts, and humility and clarity, simplifying complex concepts so that they can be concepts so that they can be understood and applied ethically and effectively.
Emphasizes that Panamericana students are distinguished by their discipline and social commitment, qualities that, in his experience, set them apart in the medical field.qualities that, in his experience, set them apart in the medical field. For him, being part of his alma mater as a professor has been a revitalizing experience that connects him to his own student years.
Raising awareness and promoting organ donation
Dr. Romo remains committed to raising awareness about kidney disease and the importance of organ donation, two critical issues in reducing transplant waiting lists and improving the lives of many patients.
Their dedication translates into efforts to sensitize the medical community and the general public to the need to encourage donation and to have clear policies to facilitate this process. and to have clear policies to facilitate this process.
Her work, both in medical practice and in teaching, represents an inspirational example of leadership in children's health care and a call to action to build a more humane and inclusive system of care..
Learn more about the School of Health Sciences at: https://www.up.edu.mx/educacion-universidad-facultad-de-ciencias-de-la-salud/
