- The first woman to obtain the title of Doctor of Surgery and Obstetrics in Mexico was Matilde Montoya Lafraga and it happened in 1887.
- In 2017, a surgeon made history by leading a heart transplant and being the first to achieve something similar in Mexico.
- Now the video that documents the entire process is available on the Medu platform, which is described as “the Netflix of surgeons.”
Women are an indispensable part of all areas and Medicine is no exception. Although for centuries they were relegated, in recent times the equality that should always have existed has been promoted. They have the same abilities as their male counterpart and the best example can be seen with a surgeon who had the honor of being the first to perform a heart transplant in Mexico.
The woman who broke schemes in Mexico
First of all, a person who broke stereotypes and paved the way for all women in our country must be recognized. In this case we refer to Matilde Montoya Lafraga. She is the first Mexican woman to obtain a medical degree. It was just one of the many acts that she performed throughout her life.
Despite all the adversities and retrograde thinking of the time, In 1887 she obtained the title of Doctor of Surgery and Obstetrics from the Faculty of Medicine of Mexico. Before, it was believed that women could not even study a university degree because their only job was to take care of a husband and children.
The first Mexican surgeon to perform a heart transplant
But now it’s time to move to the present and learn about the history of the Dr. María del Sol García Ortegón. In 2017, she made history by becoming the first Mexican surgeon to successfully perform a heart transplant. Her innovative techniques, compassionate care and tireless commitment to saving lives have earned her a reputation as one of the nation’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons.
The entire process of this intervention was recorded by the Medu team, which is a platform that describes itself as “the Netflix of surgeons.” Through the payment of a monthly subscription you can access videos that show how to perform multiple surgeries. It is a way of complementing the theory learned in schools and hospitals.
“It is an important day,” Dr. María del Sol told medical photographer Carlos Mendoza Márquez on the day of the transplant. For Carlos, producing this video was an opportunity to witness a moment of great human compassion and medical innovation.
The tension in the operating room was palpable as the team waited for the donor heart to arrive. Carlos described that moment as “a feeling of anxiety waiting for a person running with an ice chest to appear at any moment as if it were a time bomb.” Despite the high stakes, everyone in the room was focused and determined to make this life-saving procedure a success.
The video offers a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals to learn about the procedure and gain a deeper understanding of heart transplantation.
The importance of constant training
Surgical videos are an indispensable tool for training and educating surgeons. They provide an up-close and personal look at procedures, allowing surgeons-in-training, as well as those with a long history, to see the intricacies of the procedure, understand the techniques used, and learn about best practices.
By watching and learning from other experienced surgeons, they can gain valuable information and practical insights that will help them perform surgeries with greater precision and confidence.
The video with this historic heart transplant is available on the Medu portal. Not only is it a testament to the power of medical innovation and the impact it can have on people’s lives, it is also a story of perseverance, determination, and human spirit. Dra. María del Sol faced countless challenges and obstacles in her journey to become a heart transplant surgeonbut he never gave up his dream.
Also read:
Matilde Montoya Lafraga, the first Mexican doctor in history
Who was the first professional doctor in history?
IMSS celebrates 34 years of the first heart transplant in Mexico