Reprinted from the Dec. 11 Laredo Morning Times
The AHEC Board of Directors reported that the 32nd Annual Update in Medicine Conference was well received by the practicing providers and met its goals of providing continuing education for various professionals. The two-day conference was held Oct. 21-22 at the University of Texas Health Science Center Laredo Regional Campus.
More than 150 health care providers along with medical and nursing students attended the conference. The two-day program featured a one-of-a-kind forum led by experts in the field of medicine who shared research findings and the most current information regarding the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and management of various health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, autism, Alzheimer’s, mental health, hypertension and others.
AHEC Board President, Mercurio Martinez, Jr. and Ms. Julie Bazan, AHEC Executive Director welcomed the audience and acknowledged the planning committee for their efforts in developing an impressive program. Friday’s program was highlighted by keynote speaker, Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa who continues to be a leader and a role model in the medical profession throughout the United States. Dr. Francisco Cigarroa’s presentation on “Pediatric and Transplant Surgery” offered a wealth of information on the medical advances made pertaining to the transplant of organs. Dr. Cigarroa is a pediatric transplant surgeon and attending physician at the University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
The content of Saturday’s program was also remarkable and included a presentation from Dr. Reynaldo Godines titled “How the Brain Gut Connection Can Keep Us Healthy.” Dr. Godines is a local practicing physician who specializes in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine. During his presentation, Dr. Godines emphasized the clinical implications of maintaining a healthy diet and living an active life style to help with disease prevention, increased immunity and overall good health.
Each professional presentation, fulfilled requirements for continuing education in support of medicine, nursing, dietetics, social work, counseling and others specialties. Each professional earned 14 credit hours of continuing education. Audience interaction with presenters was key for the educational component of the program. In addition, each conference participant received valuable information pertaining to each presentation along with a list of sources for future reference.
The Annual Update in Medicine Conference continues to be a collaborative effort between the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande of Texas, Inc. and the Webb-Zapata-Jim Hogg County Medical Society. Over the years, thousands of providers and community members have been linked to educational resources via this annual event which offers information to help improve the quality of life for residents in the Mid Rio Grande Border region. This conference was made possible thanks to the sponsorship from Doctors Hospital, Laredo Medical Center, Specialty Hospital, Driscoll Health Plans and Stat Emergency Center of Laredo.
For additional information, please call AHEC AT (956)712-0037.