Scientific Committee

Program Coordinator, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Aricia, a Midwife, works as an independent midwife in Belgium. She has a Masters in Health Education and Promotion. She co-founded the revived Student Network Organization and was the first president in 2015 – 2016. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the Newsletter, in charge of TUFH Membership and the TUFH Conference Organizer.

Executive Director, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Nicholas Torres (M.Ed.) works at the cross section between the private sector, government, and not-for-profits and aligns them toward collective social impact goals and public policy. Nick has over 20 years of experience in executive management. Nick founded and currently leads a social sector “think-tank” organization; and teaches at the University of Pennsylvania.

Immediate Past Secretary General, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Henry was elected rector of the Federal University of Ceará, in Fortaleza, Brazil, for the 2015-2019 term, after serving two terms as vice-rector.  He undertook a Fellowship in Medical Education with the Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) in Philadelphia (2002-2003).  He is co-director of the FAIMER regional institute in Brazil since 2007.

At-Large Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

William Burdick (MD, MSEd) is Vice President for Education at FAIMER, and co-founder of the FAIMER Institute. William is Professor of Emergency Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine and has been recognized for teaching excellence with the Lindback Award and the Trustees’ Award.

At-Large Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Associate Professor at the Center for Community Health Studies, University of La Sabana.

Past President. Student Network Organization (SNO)

Physician from Juan N. Corpas University. Alejandro has been a member and leader of different student associations and organizations. As a physician and professional, he focusses on Public Health, Epidemiology, Primary Health Care, Family, and Community Health and Teaching.

M.D. Health Services Administration Specialist

Marco has a Master’s Degree in Public Health. He is a national and international consultant and speaker. He is the head of the medical division of the company professional consultants CPC leading the process of accreditation in high quality for University Hospital of Santander.

Regional Advisor in Human Resource for Health Development, PAHO/WHO HQ

Dr. Garcia has more than 30 years of experience in the area of health systems and services (HSS) and human resources for health (HRH) development. At present, he is Regional Advisor in Human Resources for Health Development at PAHO/WHO HQ in Washington DC. He especially enjoys working in multicultural projects and initiatives aimed to transform health systems and services to minimize health inequities and disparities at the global level.

Fernando has been active as Professor in the Academic fields worldwide. In addition to his role in academia, Dr. Mora-Carrasco has held roles in various organizations. As a member of Xochimilco Program, he participated in the origins of The Network: TUFH, by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1979.

President, Student Network Organization (SNO)

Yassein is a 20 year old, 4th-year medical student at University of Gezira-Sudan. He is a follower of TUFH since 2015, participated at World Summit on Social Accountability in 2017. Winner of SNO-GEMx international student exchange program 2018, presented 3 posters at TUFH 2018. He has 2 published articles on TUFH newsletters and social innovation journal. He is skilled effective leader, energized, motivated, ambitious person with good communication skills and a clear vision, he admires inter-cultural exchange and sharing of ideas. He is well equipped with various set of skills and greatly involved in numerous student associations and communities. He is the scientific secretary of Gezira Medical Students Association – GMSA, Local Member organization (LMO) MedSIN-GMSA president at MedSIN Sudan at IFMSA, Certified IFMSA human rights trainer, Deputy Secretary General of Gezira Students network organization – G.SNO, Training division Director at Sudanese Medical Innovation community (SMIC), President of Hayat Charitable Association 2017-2018. Now he is the president of the international SNO, hope to develop it and make SNO a great platform gathering all students of the medical field. He is interested in the research, medical education and public health.

General Secretary Vice Dean of the School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Irene is a medical doctor with a focus on education and with a Master in Organizational Administration from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM. She is currently a doctoral student in education and was a FAIMER Fellow at the Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research in Philadelphia.

She is also an Associate Professor in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Irene has written 13 books and participated as an author in 33 books as well as working on 63 academic improvement courses.

She is responsible for the design, development, operation, supervision and evaluation of various institutional programs (academic and administrative) at the UNAM and the General Health Council for the Mexican Republic.

She is a founding member of the Mexican Council for the Accreditation of Medical Education (COMAEM) and is responsible for the reengineering of the National System of Accreditation of Medical Education in Mexico.

She has held several university positions, in the Mexican Association of Medical Schools and Faculties, COMAEM and the General Health Council of the Mexican Republic.

She currently serves as General Secretary Vice Dean of the School of Medicine of the UNAM and Vice President of the Mexican Council for the Accreditation of Medical Education.

Head of the Public Health Department, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Dr. Guadalupe Silvia García de la Torre is a medical doctor graduating from the Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) with a Master’s degree in Sociomedical Science with an emphasis on Epidemiology. She has collaborated with the School of Medicine for 31 years in teaching and research.

She is currently the Head of the Public Health Department of the School of Medicine of the UNAM, professor at the undergraduate and postgraduate level (Masters and Doctoral programs in epidemiology), and head of the disciplinary field of Epidemiology from the Master’s and Doctoral Program in Medical, Dental and Health Sciences, from UNAM.

Her research has an epidemiological focus on different topics of importance for public health, such as chagas disease, sexual transmitted infections, violence, diabetes mellitus type 2, life style, and health in the working population.

She is chairman of the Research Committee of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health of Mexico.

Head of International Relations, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Melissa is a medical doctor with a Master in Medical Education and is currently the Head of the International Relations Office of the Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). She has participated in clinical practice and medical research projects (focusing on diabetes and immunology) in Mexico and the USA in various institutions including the Instituto de Oftalmología Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico and Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore USA where she has also started her Masters in Public Health. She has been a medical manager of Schering-Plough Mexico in charge of the high specialty lines, launching Spriafil on the Mexican market. She has been a professor since medical school and her aim is to aid in the internationalization of medical education.

General Director of Quality and Health Education, Federal Ministry of Health in Mexico

Sebastián García Saisó is a medical doctor graduating from the School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-UNAM). He is Public Health Specialist certified by CONACEM and holds a Master of Science in Planning and Financing of Health Policies by the London School of Economics and Political Science and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London in England. Additionally, he has studies on Patient Quality and Safety by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) of the United States and the Technological Institute of Monterrey (Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey).

In public administration, he has served as Director of Special Medical Projects in the National Commission of Medical Arbitration of the Ministry of Health, as well as Coordinator of Advisors of the Undersecretariat of Integration and Development of the Health Sector and as General Director of Quality and Health Education of the Health Secretary.

He is currently undergraduate and postgraduate professor at the School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and at the Technological Institute of Monterrey. He is also an advisory member of the examiner committee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for the Master’s Program in Public Health and Master’s Degree in Health Systems Administration.

He has several national and international publications aimed at the organization of health systems and the response to health challenges.

Secretary General, ALAFEM

Javier Santacruz Varela is a medical doctor graduating from the Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – UNAM specializing in Family Medicine from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). He holds a Master in Public Health from the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico and a Doctorate in Senior Management from the Center of Postgraduate Studies of the State of Mexico. He also has taken several courses in the area of Medical Health from various international institutions.

He is a family physician and was Head of the Department of Undergraduate Studies and Head of the Family Medicine Residency at the Mexican Institute of Medical Social Security (IMSS). In the Ministry of Health, he was the Director of Educational Research, Planning Director and Quality Director. In the National Commission of Medical Arbitration, he was Quality Director and Research Director. He was part of the staff of the Pan American Health Organization for 13 years and is currently Head of the Department of Special Projects of the School of Medicine of the UNAM.

Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Laura Moreno Altamirano is a medical doctor graduating from the School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – UNAM). She has a Master’s degree from the University of London, England and Doctorate in Anthropology from the National School of Anthropology and History (ENAH). She is an Associate Professor and a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National System of Researchers of Mexico. She was Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Community from 1986 to 1991 and Head of the Department of Public Health from 2009 to 2013.

Research line: diabetes, food and social determinants of health. Publications: 68 articles, 12 books and 25 chapters. Tutor of more than 100 thesis of specialty, masters and doctorate. Financial support from CONACYT and DGAPA to conduct research. Member of the Editorial Committees of various journals.

Head of the Community Work and Outreach Program of the Department of Public Health of the School of Medicine, UNAM

Jesús Santiago Reza Casahonda is a medical doctor with a Master’s in Public Health. He is a professor of the Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – UNAM since 2005 and is currently Head of the Community Work and Outreach Program of the Department of Public Health of the School of Medicine, UNAM.

He is member of the Gender and Health Program and has been a public servant in the health services as: Jurisdictional Director, Health Promotion Coordinator, Deputy Director of Comprehensive Care for Adults and the Elderly of the Public Health Services in the Federal District, the Head of the Department of Healthy Environment of the General Directorate of Health Promotion, Health Secretary and is Deputy Director of Health and Social Welfare of the National Indigenous Institute and is Project Director of the Trust for the Health of Indigenous Children of Mexico, A.C. as well as Technical Advisor of the Health Area of the Support Center for Indigenous Missions, A.C.

He also served as an evaluator in “Impact Assessment of the Community Health Program” of the Archbishop of El Salvador, Central America, commissioned by Bishöfliches Hilfswerk, Misereor, Germany.

Professor at the Center for Research in Policies, Population, and Health of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Nutritionist graduating from the Metropolitan Autonomous University (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana – UAM Xochimilco), Health Economist by the Center for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE) and Doctor in Health and Public Policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

Professor and researcher in the field of evaluation at the Center for Research in Policies, Population and Health of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), member of the Technical Committee of the National Observatory of Inequities in Health (ONIS), member of the Evaluation Advisory Committee of GAVI and President of the Technical Committee of the State Evaluation Commission of the State of Morelos.

His main research areas are the comprehensive evaluation of social programs and policies, universal health coverage and effective access, health inequities and the analysis of risk behaviors, particularly among adolescents. He has conducted evaluations of different policies and programs in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and India, including impact estimates.

Likewise, he has been responsible for various population surveys in homes and establishments in Mexico and other countries, including the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012 and evaluation surveys of Oportunidades/Prospera Program. He is a member of the National System of Researchers, Level II (Sistema Nacional de Investigadores) and author of more than 60 articles in refereed journals and different book chapters.

Definitive Full-Time Career Professor in the Department of Public Health, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Originally from Mexico City, Ricardo is a medical doctor graduating from the Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México – UNAM. He has a Master and Doctorate from the Medical, Dental and Health Sciences Program of the UNAM. He has participated in different research studies in the field of Public Health.

He has been professor of undergraduate and postgraduate students for 17 years, being awarded the Medal of Teaching Merit “Dr. José Laguna García” in 2015. He has served as Teaching Coordinator of the Department of Public Health and Director of Management Systems in the General Directorate of Health Planning and Development of the Federal Health Secretariat. He is currently a Definitive Full-Time Career Professor in the Department of Public Health of the UNAM.

Head of Library Services Department for the School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Engineer David Flores Macías is the Head of the Library Services Department for the School of Medicine of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He is a computer engineer and holds a Master in Organizational Management.

For more than 27 years he has worked in the School of Medicine of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) focused in the areas of information, telecommunications and library services. 

He currently coordinates the Library System of the School of Medicine of the UNAM and of several congresses such as the Health Sciences Book Fair and the Simulation Conference in Mexico (SIMex), in addition to coordinating and providing advice on the development of different national and international academic projects and events.

Research Coordinator, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Laura is a medical doctor from the Universidad Veracruzana, México. She has a masters in Public Health from the Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico and a Masters in Science in  Epidemiology from the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico. She has a PhD in Biology Sciences from the Metropolitan Autonomous University.

She is a professor of undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Department of Public Health in the School of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

She is currently the Research Coordinator of the Department of Public Health in the School of Medicine, UNAM.

Research Lines:

• Cervical (breast, lung, ovarian, colon)
• Chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis
• Dengue vaccine
• Medical technology
• Health services

Western Pacific Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Professor, Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle

African Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Professor, Department of Public Health, Babcock University

Latin American Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Paulo is the Executive Director of Medicine at Afya Educacional in Brazil.

South-East Asian Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Activist, Gender, Health & Human Rights

European Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Professor in Nursing, VIVES University of Applied Science, Belgium
Coordinator VIVES LiveLab: Interprofessional Education
Researcher Centre of Expertise for Care Innovation, VIVES

Eastern Mediterranean Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Assistant Professor of Medical Education, College of Medicine and Acting Director of Medical Education Center, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

North American Regional Board Member, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Senior Lecturer, Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine

SNO Local Team Manager, The Network: Towards Unity For Health (TUFH)

Born and raised in Mexico City. Wanted to be an artist or designer all my life. In High School I took Medical electives and loved it. Started studying Digital Design, I was so happy, but it was not enough. Switched carriers after a year. Currently on the 5th year of med school. Passionate and excited for what’s to come.

Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies (UWI)

Tomlin is Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica. He has over 30 years’ experience in medical education and has received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for teaching excellence. He is a champion for social accountability in health professions education in the Caribbean and enjoys collaborative work across the disciplines.