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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
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. It is appropriate that we
should acknowledge his unique and
profound contributions to gastroenterology
in the region through this
leadership of the center. An internationally
recognized gastroenterologist,
wizard endoscopist and renowned
educator, Guido brought a reputation
and gravitas to the center that provided
the foundation to its success. Yet
he, as a person, brings so much more
– why else would some of the world’s
busiest clinician-educators make the
trek to a city perched over 12,000 feet
up in the Andes? He is universally
respected, knows the worlds of gastroenterology
and gastrointestinal endoscopy
intimately and can identify those
teachers who will best fulfill his goals.
Their time in La Paz will be rendered
memorable by engaging in the course,
coming to appreciate how unique and
wonderful La Paz and Bolivia are, and
by the unrivalled hospitality of Guido,
his team and his colleagues. Why else
do the same faces reappear year after
year to experience dyspnea, see their
finger-tips go a little blue as they teach
on the La Paz courses? There is also
no doubt that his decades at the top
in gastroenterology in Bolivia and the
continent facilitate the ongoing and
essential support of the pharmaceutical,
instrument and device industries.
Many, many tributes were appropriately
paid to Guido at this this year’s
event, his last as he retires from the
University and relinquishes directorship
of the center. Each he greeted,
surrounded by his supportive family,
with complete modesty and always
emphasizing the roles of all of those
who have worked with him.
The La Paz Training Center, under
the directorship of Guido Villa–
Gomez, provides a template for a
successful training center; his professional
and personal qualities have
been critical to this success. Its success
Tiwanaku
The Bolivian Altiplano with Illimani in the
background
La Paz Training Center director, Guido Villa
Gomez
illustrates what can be achieved when
those dedicated to a clear goal and
under outstanding leadership can
achieve. Guido, the world of gastroenterology
owes you a profound debt
of gratitude. We thank you for getting
to know La Paz, Bolivia and its people
and the wealth of ideas, talent and
potential that the young gastroenterologists
of the continent possess. We
wish you success and happiness in the
next phase of your career. Your legacy
will be the continued success of the
center with ongoing support from
JICA, WGO, industry and all the
friends of La Paz.