June 22, 2016 | Fernando Iñarra Talboy, MD
International

Founded in 1935 by Ignacio Chávez, MD, the Mexican Society of Cardiology spearheaded cardiovascular research and teaching in Mexico. The Mexican Society of Cardiology helped spread the specialty around the country, leading later to the foundation of the National Institute of Cardiology and the Interamerican Society of Cardiology in 1944. Almost 80 years later, the effort seems to have worn off. In January 2016, Erick Alexánderson, MD, the new president of the Mexican Society of Cardiology, and ACC chair-elect for the Assembly of International Governors, announced new plans for his term that promise to change things around.

The year started off with a complete overhaul of the Society’s website and more importantly, with a very strong presence in social media. Social media allows direct inter-communication not only with other cardiologists and doctors in general, but with government officials and the general public. As I discussed in my previous article, it is crucial to engage all involved parties to tackle the problem of cardiovascular health in Mexico.

In the past, the cardiology fellow had been relegated to play a passive role in the Mexican Society of Cardiology. In recent years, cardiovascular societies around the globe are actively engaging cardiologists-in-training. The goal of the Mexican Society of Cardiology is to create an FIT category similar to that within the ACC. Currently, over 200 cardiology fellows have signed up to be a part of this project, which will include continuing medical education, leadership formation, mentoring and academic activities organized by fellows, for fellows. There is high expectation among the Mexican Cardiology fellows that this endeavor will have a substantial impact in the training of young cardiologists in Mexico.

In the academic arena, the Mexican Society of Cardiology sponsors many events around the country. There is a Scientific Session every quarter, and a National Cardiology Congress held every two years.  On March 11 and 12, the first Scientific Session was held in Mexico City, in collaboration with several important cardiology societies, such as the ACC, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. The session also incorporated important national Mexican medical societies, including the Internal Medicine College of Mexico and the Mexican Society of Oncology. Of historic importance, this was the first time that non-cardiology societies were included in the meeting, and demonstrated the willingness of the Mexico Society of Cardiology to reach out to other medical professionals in the country. The session had an impressive attendance, with over 1200 participants including technologists, medical students, residents, fellows, internists and cardiologists.

The scientific program had excellent participation by both national and international faculty, including ACC President Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC, ACC President-Elect Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, and Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, MACC. Very interesting talks were given by national experts in all areas of cardiology and a brilliant symposium was held between the past presidents of the Mexican Society of Cardiology, all giving account of their undisputable expertise on their respective fields.

Another first in this session was the inclusion of a symposium exclusive for cardiology FITs. This symposium involved presentation and discussion of an interesting case and review of clinical decision making teaching points. The case was selected from submissions from fellows all around the country.

The future is exciting for cardiology FITs in Mexico. We look forward to all upcoming scientific events and are eager to take advantage of the new opportunities presented specially for fellows.

This article was authored by Fernando Iñarra Talboy, MD, a fellow in training (FIT) at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, in México City, México.