2022 Latin Ambassadors
Recognizing the importance of improving awareness and care of children impacted by chronic gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses, IFFGD was pleased to announce its 2022 Ambassadors to four leading pediatric gastroenterologists. These Ambassadors were recognized during the LASPHGAN session of NASHPGAN in November 2021. The inaugural Ambassadors are intended to raise awareness and improve care for pediatric GI and motility disorders in Latin America.
The IFFGD Ambassadors Program is led by a committee of leaders in the medical and scientific community of Latin America:
Ambassador Program Committee
- Dr. Miguel Saps
- Dr. Jose Garza
- Dr. Samuel Nurko
- Dr. Leonel Rodriguez
- Dr. Reinaldo Pierre Alvarez
Learn more about our Ambassadors Program
We are pleased to recognize the 2022 IFFGD Latin American Ambassadors recipients for their achievements and thank them for their commitment to children with chronic GI and motility disorders.
The 2022 IFFGD Latin Ambassadors Are:
Dr. Fernando Alonso Medina Monroy, Pediatric gastroenterologist and endoscopist at the Hospital Centro Médico Nacional de la Raza (Distrito Federal, Mexico)/Universidad el Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
Dr. Fernando Alonso Medina Monroy is an expert in allergies. He graduated from the Universidad San Jorge, Zaragoza, Spain with a master’s in clinical Hepatology. He also has a master’s degree in Microbiota, Probiotics and Prebiotics.
Dr. Monroy is the Founding Member of the Colombian College of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition COLGAHNP. He is the Founder and president of ACOPYP (Colombian Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics), member of the Board of Directors of SIAMPyP (Ibero-American Society of Microbiota, Probiotics and Prebiotics).
He is also a member of the following societies:
Colombian Society of Regional Pediatrics Santander SCP
Latin American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Colombian College of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Dr. Roman Nestor Bigliardi, MD, Head of pediatric gastroenterology section for Htal. Posadas.
Functional GI disorders are becoming more frequent every day, and research papers on them are on the rise. His goal is to be part of the team in charge of disseminating the information of these pathologies and to be able to update and teach with his colleagues. Although he is Head of the Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition section, prior to this position, he was in charge of motility and functional disorders, in his Hospital and in turn, he is one of the coordinators of the Motility subcommittee of the Gastroenterology committee of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics and a member of the motility circle of the Argentine Republic.
Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez Frias MD, MSc, DSc is a pediatric gastroenterologist and nutritionist at National Health Institute “Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez.”
Dr. Rodrigo Vázquez Frias is also a Professor of pediatrics at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM; National Autonomous University of Mexico), and a Clinical investigator at HIMFG. He holds the Vice-president elected position for the Latin American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
Dr. Frias received his PhD IN MEDICAL SCIENCES from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. He was written over 33 articles in the field, as well as many book chapters. He is an active member of several professional societies and attends lectures and conferences regularly.
Dr. Ricardo Ariel Chanis Águila is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital Dr. José Renán Esquivel, Panama City.
He is also a Clinical Professor at the University of Panama. Active Member of LASPGHAN and NASPGHAN. Coordinator of the Doctorate University Program in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
Member of the FINDERS group for the study of functional disorders in Latin America. Coordinator of the LASPGHAN Working Group. Seventy-five publications in national and international journals with eighteen in the field of functional digestive disorders in pediatrics.
