Empowering Providers through Education

One World Surgery (OWS), in collaboration with our esteemed partner Optum, recently hosted two educational symposia in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, orchestrated under the dynamic leadership of our program managers Dr. Jonathan Soto and Dr. Maria Betancourth.   

The Dominican Republic symposium on November 18, 2023, featured special guests Dr. Dan Murrey (Chief Physician Executive, SCA Health & Senior Vice President, Optum Care’s Specialty Care) and Dr. Barbara Allen (Physician Executive, WellMed Medical Group). Dr. Ana Espila Navarro (Primary Care Physician, Reliant Medical Group) and Dr. Laura Suttin (Family Medicine Physician and Development Coach), renowned experts in the field, took the stage as presenters. The symposium was designed as a continuous education event for primary care physicians and general practitioners, with a focus on the community of San Pedro de Macoris. Dr. Allen welcomed the participants, and Dr. Ana Espila Navarro provided an update on the management of diabetes and hypertension. Dr. Genesis Betemit (General Physician) shared insights on effectively managing diabetes and hypertension, while Dr. Suttin delivered a compelling lecture on avoiding medical errors. The symposium was held in-person and via Zoom to accommodate for maximum participation.  

The Honduras symposium took place on December 10, 2023, showcasing Dr. Laura Suttin, Dr. Dave Pramesh (Medical Director, Lead Physician of Internal Medicine, WellMed Medical Management), and Dr. David Vargas (General Physician, Lead Physician in Primary Care and Spine Program, One World Surgery Honduras) as our special guests. Additionally, Dr. Suttin has been invited to represent OWS as a presenter at the Optum Partnership Forum (OPF) in May this year, solidifying the collaborative efforts between OWS and Optum in advancing medical education.  

Dr. Franco (General Physician) expressed her gratitude, stating, “What a wonderful opportunity! Great lectures, very well detailed. Thank you for helping us to do our work better.” Dr. Diaz (General Physician) echoed the sentiment, saying, “What valuable continuing education. A total success!”  

Dr. Joice Morillo, in her closing message, invited medical doctors to join OWS, Optum, and the broader medical community in their impactful journey to continue transforming lives. The success of these symposia not only reflects the dedication of OWS and its partners but also emphasizes the critical role that continuous medical education plays in empowering healthcare professionals worldwide. 

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