Montemorelos University: School of Medicine receives national accreditation for its programs

February 23, 2011 – Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico…Matheus Nascimiento/Benjamin Garcia/IAD

Montemorelos University-a Seventh-day Adventist institution operated by the Inter-American Division-received its accreditation for its School of Medicine from Mexico’s Accrediting Council for Medical Education (COMAEM). The renewed accreditation took place on the campus of the university during a special ceremony held on Feb. 21, 2011, in Montemorelos, Mexico.

It is the second approval for the university’s school of medicine surgery program granted by the highest such accrediting organization in Mexico since 2005 and will be effective until 2015. The COMAEM is made up of public institutions working towards elevating the quality of medical education and it is the only organization recognized by the Accrediting Council of Higher Education (COPAES), to accredit medicine programs in Mexico.

The special ceremony brought members of the institution’s board and the municipal leaders of the city of Montemorelos. In addition, the evaluating committee of the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA), who are in the process of reaccreditation of the university for the next five years, were also in attendance.

“Mexico is pushing for improving education, particularly its medicine programs,” said Dr. Zeta Melva Triana Contreras, representative of the COMAEM as she spoke to students, teachers, faculty and board members. “The accreditation of this School of Medicine is part of this.” She went on to explain the stages and process of accreditation-a tedious process which involved students and teachers.

Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University explained that during one of the accrediting committee visits last year, the committee expressed that the university has an admirable quality in its medicine students.

“As physicians you are a guardian of health and I hope you continue to positively influence wherever you serve as professionals,” said Castillo as he address the dozens of medical students present.

Pablo Elizondo García, the mayor of Montemorelos, congratulated the university for its success.

“This is a blessing, it is the result of the work of many people, many minds, the team which has been able to move forward,” said Elizondo. Elizondo also thanked the school of medicine for its many health programs held in the community throughout the years.

Elizondo also thanked the university’s medical professionals in creating “Montemorelos moving forward with five steps,” a program geared for the community in his municipal district which will take place during the next five years.

Dr. Nahum Garcia, coordinator of the School of Medicine, said that “the recognition from the external organizations for the high quality of medical education is reason to thank God and an incentive for teachers and staff continue preparing the kind of Christian physicians that the world needs.”

Montemorelos University’s school of medicine began its program in 1975 and so far has graduated 65 professionals from 54 countries which serve worldwide.

The School of Medicine is also registered in the United States Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and appears in the Global Directories of Education Institutions for Health Professions (Avicenna) of the World Health Organization. In addition, the university was accepted by the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA).

To learn more about Montemorelos University and its programs visit http://www.um.edu.mx