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WORLD GASTROENTEROLOGY NEWS JULY 2019
Editorial | Expert Point of View | WCOG 2019 | WDHD News | WGO & WGOF News | WGO Global Guidelines | Calendar of Events
the very first course, one can identify
“trainees” who have since gone on
to hold leadership roles in gastroenterology
in their home nations. The
La Paz Center has clearly served to
galvanize the training and practice of
gastroenterology in the region and, in
so doing, fostered the emergence of
a group of young gastroenterologists
who share a commitment to the highest
standards in clinical practice and a
dedication to training and education.
Those who remained in La Paz for
longer periods of “hands-on” training
returned to their home base with
new skills to the great benefit of their
patients and their community.
Throughout its 15 years under the
leadership of Guido Villa-Gomez,
the courses at La Paz always adhered
to the highest standards of ethical
practice and educational principles –
evidence-based presentations, critical
assessment (in terms of knowledge
gained by the attendees and their
critical assessment of the educational
experience), experienced faculty with
known reputations in teaching and
an atmosphere of critical analysis
and open interactivity. Interactions
between the “trainees” was further
fostered by social activities that promoted
bonding among the group as
well as interchange with faculty.
Highlights from the 2019 course
that illustrated how well it worked
included the rapt attention of the
young gastroenterologists at each session,
their enthusiastic participation
in panel discussions and the sheer joy
that they brought to the entire event;
joy at the opportunity to listen to and
interact with a who’s who of Latin
American gastroenterology and sheer
delight at being together and sharing
a common mission. This exuberance
overflowed in the talent show where
“trainees” from the various nations
competed with each other in front of
the entire attendance. The Bolivian
group who presented a fully costumed
representation of the famed Carnaval
de Oruro won in an event that
showcased the diverse talents of these
young physicians.
On every front the La Paz Training
Center has been an undoubted success
and has exceeded any and all expectations.
Why did a Training Center
located in a somewhat inaccessible
city (“on the roof of the world” where
oxygen is at a premium) and in one of
the poorest nations in the continent
work and work so well? Several factors
contributed to this success – the
wholehearted support of the university,
its medical school and their
leaderships, and of the municipality
of La Paz and national government
agencies. The Japanese International
Cooperation Agency (JICA), the
overseas development authority of the
Japanese government, provided substantial
funding for the establishment
of the Bolivian-Japanese Institute of
Gastroenterology in La Paz which has
housed the training center and hosted
its courses and continues to provide
ongoing support. Crucial also has
been the unswerving commitment of
the Bolivian Society of Gastroenterology
to the center; its members have
selflessly contributed to the courses.
Over the years, a host of expert
gastroenterologists and endoscopists
from around the globe have willingly
given of their time and expertise at
the courses and local and national
industry have provided invaluable
financial and in-kind support. As one
of its accredited centers, WGO has
also provided funding and faculty and
the center has attracted the endorsement
and support of GI societies
from North and South America.
Trainees and trainers at the 2019 course
La Paz from the Teleferico
There is an additional
factor, the X-factor, that
has been absolutely
fundamental to the success
of the La Paz Training
Center: its director – Guido
Villa Gomez.