Defense of the doctoral thesis by Fidel Saúl Ricardo Suárez in the doctoral training program in Clinical-Surgical Biomedical Sciences. Photo: Facebook profile of Hospital Lucía.

The Ophthalmology specialty in Holguin boasts its first Doctor of Clinical-Surgical Biomedical Sciences

The recent defense of the doctoral thesis by second-degree specialist in Ophthalmology, Fidel Saúl Ricardo Suárez, made him the first Doctor of Science in the specialty in the Holguin province. It was also the first defense in the doctoral program in Clinical-Surgical Biomedical Sciences.

His research, entitled “Methodology based on taxonomy for managing patient safety incidents in cataract surgery.” It belongs to the program designed by the University of Medical Sciences of Holguin. Thus, this institution of higher learning is currently the fifth in the country to train doctoral students in science. With a program created by the center itself, following the institutes in Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara, and Camagüey.

The contribution of this research lies in developing a specific taxonomy for patient safety incidents in cataract surgery, integrating local and global evidence. Its application as the basis for a reactive management system for patient safety incidents in cataract surgery demonstrates viability and feasibility for the more precise identification. Recording and analysis of incidents, a way to link unsafe actions to the factors contributing to their occurrence.

Also this doctoral thesis benefited from the timely guidance of experienced doctors of science in the health field. Such as Nerza Enid Peña Pupo and Luis Enrique Almaguer Mederos. The evaluation panel consisted of Doctors of Science Pedro Rafael Atos García and Omelio Fontaine Machado. And, participating online, Damaris Fuentes Pelier, a Second-Degree Specialist in Ophthalmology at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital Ophthalmological Center in the province of Santiago de Cuba.

Those present in the auditorium included Doctors of Science Elianis Ocaña Samada, President of the Provincial Council of Scientific Societies of Health. George Augusto Velázquez Zúñiga, Rector of the University of Medical Sciences of Holguin. Rafael Trinchet Soler, Meritorious Researcher. Agustín Meinardo Mulet Pérez, Full Professor and Consultant at the University of Medical Sciences of Holguin. Eiliana Cruz González, Head of the Nursing Department at the Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja Pediatric Hospital. Along with members of the University’s Department of Sciences, the institution’s Board of Directors, professionals from the sector, friends, and family.

In recognition of the quality of this research, its demonstrated mastery, depth, and scientific rigor. The evaluation committee recommended it for consideration for the National Academy of Sciences Award and the Annual Health Award.

After years of advocating for its own doctoral program, UCMHo realized this aspiration on October 28th, 2022. Also the date on which the agreement approving the program and the university as an authorized institution for this training was announced.

The doctoral program is designed around three essential lines of research: Comprehensive medical care for children, adults, and the elderly. Comprehensive care for surgical patients in pediatric, adult, and elderly age groups. And Didactics of biomedical sciences. These three broad scientific lines thus provide an opportunity for all research in the clinical, surgical, and teaching fields to pursue this advanced training option.

For the University of Medical Sciences of Holguin, having this doctoral program represents a significant step forward in the field of science and technology at the national level. The successful defense of this first research project strengthens professional development in the medical sciences at the fourth and highest level of postgraduate academic training. Demonstrating how science is being used to address health problems in the region.

Maylín Betancourt Verdecia
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