Mexico City, August 14, 2026.—The School of Health Sciences at the Universidad Panamericana put on its best for the Institutional Ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Schools of Nursing and Medicine.
The event, held in the University Auditorium, brought together university officials, faculty, students, and pioneers of the academic program to honor three decades of dedication to training healthcare professionals with a distinctive hallmark: strong scientific skills and a deep sense of ethics and humanism.
A presidium of honor
The ceremony began with a welcome to the institutional and faculty officials who headed the presidium:
- Dr. Ramón Ibarra Ramos, President Emeritus of the Universidad Panamericana , Mexico Campus.
- Dr. Gregorio Tomás Obrador Vera, Director General of Health at UP.
- Dr. Stéphanie Derive, Dean of the School of Health Sciences.
- Blanca Estela López Hernández, M.A., Director of the School of Nursing.
- Dr. Lourdes González del Rincón, Dean of the School of Medicine.
In a heartfelt gesture, the community gave a warm round of applause to Dr. Salvador Mier y Terán Sierra and Lourdes Vargas, whose vision, drive, and support from the very beginning in 1996 were essential to making the founding of both schools a reality.
A demonstration of leadership and foresight
During the first part of the program, the executives shared memories ranging from the program’s historical beginnings to the major challenges of the future.
Dr. Stéphanie Derive recalled the project's origins and how that initial vision transformed the institution by giving rise to the School of Health Sciences.
For her part, Blanca López Hernández, M.A., highlighted the current state of the School of Nursing, characterized by a comprehensive social service model, cutting-edge graduate programs such as the one in Wound, Ostomy, and Burn Therapy, a high rate of outstanding performance on the EGEL (85%), and international exchange partnerships. She also noted the success of graduates in becoming leaders in clinical, administrative, and research fields, distinguished by their professionalism, attentiveness, and person-centered, comprehensive care.
Dr. Lourdes González del Rincón spoke about the School of Medicine’s position as a national leader, with 25 graduating classes and nearly 1,000 medical graduates, highlighting the national and international partnerships that have been strategic to the School’s development, as well as the importance of teamwork in achieving these results. Dr. González also highlighted the distinctive character of the students and graduates of the UP School of Medicine, reflected in their compassionate approach, professional ethics, and focus on bioethics and high-impact research—all of which are integrated into the undergraduate curriculum.
Finally, Dr. Gregorio Obrador Vera shared some reflections on the structural challenges facing Mexico’s healthcare sector and how medical education must evolve to incorporate genomics, artificial intelligence, and digital health, while maintaining as an irreplaceable cornerstone the principle that “medicine remains the most human of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities.” Dr. Obrador also spoke about the future of the schools at Ciudad UP.
Presentation of the St. Thomas Aquinas Award and Honorary Appointments
One of the most moving moments of the day was the recognition of the faculty, which has been the cornerstone of the education of dozens of generations. One of the most moving moments of the day was the recognition of the faculty, which has been the cornerstone of the education of dozens of generations. The St. Thomas Aquinas Award, which recognizes teaching excellence, dedication, and the uninterrupted careers of tenured professors who have been with the Schools since their inception, was presented to the following recipients:
- Dr. Manuel Arteaga Martínez
- Maria Alejandra Bonilla de Jesús, M.A.
- Dr. Ma. de la Luz Casas Martínez
- Mauricio Eluani Pérez, M.A.
- Dr. Susana Gallegos Sánchez
- Dr. Yolanda Murad Robles
- Dr. Carlos Ortiz Hidalgo
- Dr. David Servín Hernández
- Dr. Octavio Sierra Martínez
- Dr. María Isabel Villa de la Vega
Dr. Basilio Fernández Alvarado and Dr. Antonio Rafael Villa Romero were also recognized in absentia.
Historical Academic Honors
For the first time in the history of the Universidad Panamericana, two special honors were bestowed upon retired faculty members whose careers left an indelible mark on the institution:
- Distinguished Professor: Awarded to Dr. Manuel Arteaga Martínez, a physician and doctor of science who founded and headed the Department of Embryology for 30 consecutive years, authored numerous scientific texts, and is an undisputed model of excellence.
- Honorary Professor: Awarded to Dr. María de la Luz Casas Martínez, a pioneer in bioethics at the university, founder of the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, SNII I researcher, and former president of the Mexican National Academy of Bioethics. Dr. Casas has contributed for 30 consecutive years to both undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Health Sciences.
In addition, institutional awards were presented to Dr. Gerardo Arrellín Rosas, Dr. Rosa Martha Desentis Mendoza, Elizabeth Rodríguez Schlogl, M.A., and Teresa Sepúlveda Iguiniz, M.A., in recognition of their leadership in key areas.
Historical Reflection, Art, and Culture
The keynote lecture “Nursing in Mexico and the Devastation During the Revolution,” delivered by Jehiely Hernández Correa, M.A., a specialist at the National Institute of Historical Studies of the Revolutions of Mexico, helped to preserve historical memory and recognize the courage of nursing staff in our country’s development.
The cultural highlight was provided by the UP School of Fine Arts, whose director is Dr. Gabriel Pliego. Seventeen-year-old pianist and fine arts student Alexander Vivero captivated the audience with a moving performance of Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 28 / Sergei Prokofiev, while Chilean soprano Pamela Castro, accompanied on the piano by Valeriia Prokofeiva, performed the aria “Un bel dì, vedremo” from Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly.
The Voice of School Foundations
Toward the end of the event, Dr. Ramón Ibarra Ramos, who served as the institution’s president when the schools were founded in 1996, reflected on the project’s origins and the vision that drove its creation:
“When the plan to create the Schools of Nursing and Medicine was first proposed, , we knew it wouldn’t be easy. I remember the health secretary telling us, ‘There are hundreds of medical schools in Mexico that are useless. Why do you want another one?’ And our response was, ‘That’s exactly why. We wanted to create good schools that would train excellent nurses and doctors from a scientific and technical standpoint, but who would also understand that they would always be dealing with a person.’ Healing won’t always be possible; caring—always.”
Finally, Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, rector of the Mexico City campus, delivered the closing remarks, inviting the community to celebrate these 30 years not only with the satisfaction of a job well done, but also with an eye toward continuing to build the future of healthcare in Mexico.
“You know better than anyone the current trends, artificial intelligence, and technological advances in healthcare. The challenge lies in knowing how to rely on these tools, understanding that they amplify our capabilities but do not replace human virtues. I believe the School of Health Sciences is a model in this regard: doing the technical, scientific, and human work as well as the best do,” he said.
“Galenos: Medicine and Art,” a human perspective on the practice of medicine
As part of the closing events for the 30th anniversary celebration of the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, the photography exhibition “Galenos: Medicine and Art” by photographer Nicole Holmes was inaugurated. Since 2008, Holmes has been documenting medical procedures with an artistic eye that seeks to reveal the aesthetics, precision, and humanity present in the surgical environment. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with Laboratorios Sanfer as part of its 85th-anniversary celebrations, uniquely portrays the most human and sensitive side of modern medical practice.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished officials and guests of honor, including Dr. Fernanda Llergo Bay, President of the University of the American West ( Universidad Panamericana ) and IPADE; Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, Dean of the Mexico Campus; and Dr. Gregorio Tomás Obrador Vera, the university’s Director General of Health. Also gracing the ceremony were Ricardo Amtmann Aguilar, Chairman of the Board of Laboratorios Sanfer; Gloria Amtmann Aguilar, President of the Sanfer Foundation; and Nicole Holmes, the photographer responsible for bringing the exhibition to life.
With this commemoration, the Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to training healthcare professionals capable of integrating scientific knowledge, technological innovation, research, and a human touch to address the challenges facing healthcare in Mexico.
