| Title awarded: Family Medicine Specialist |
| SNIES Code 111582 |
| Qualified Registration: Resolution n.º 6812 of April 26, 2023 of the MEN, validity: 7 years. |
| Duration of the Program: 6 semesters |
| Number of academic credits: 198 |
| The program is attached: Faculty of Health Sciences and Basic Sciences |
| Academic Level: Postgraduate |
| Level of training: Medical-surgical specialization |
| Methodology: On-site |
| Location: Neiva, Huila, Colombia |
| Periodicity of admission: Semiannual |
| Contact us: +57 318 071 5286 +57 317 514 1730 |
Presentation of the program
Family Medicine, more than an area of medical knowledge, is an integrating axis of medical practice, which provides holistic and humanized medical care to the person; performing particular processes of characterization, validation of information, management, education and proposal of intervention strategies to focus them on primary health care from a systemic, generalist, differential and inclusive approach that promotes the care of the individual, his family and his community.
This specialization focuses its work on the person; involving the globality and complexity of the being, taking into account both the physical and psychosocial component of the individual and the determinants that modify and maintain their health. For family medicine, health is more than a state of "Well-being", it is the objective and subjective amalgam of factors that, from each of the individual and family life cycles, tend to the harmonious development and the experience of the individual immersed in a social sphere. For this reason, an ethnographic approach is involved where social, family and community relationships and the relationship with the disease itself are pillars of the care process. The ethnographic vision of Family Medicine allows the differential approach of the individual, the family and its cultural group, allowing the production of cost-effective strategies aimed at maintaining the health of specific groups according to their characteristics and needs.
The knowledge and work of the Family Medicine specialist is transversal to the different medical specialties, not as a professional hoarder of knowledge, but as an integrating specialist, mediator and coordinator of medical care, ensuring its resolvability and timeliness. His approach moves away from the separatist perspective and involves the generalization of medical knowledge to provide comprehensive care to individuals, families and communities.
The specialization in Family Medicine is the result of a need for holistic care based on the individual and not on the disease. Due to its principles and focus on prevention, it is a pioneer and fundamental support in integral processes of Primary Health Care and maintenance of the health of individuals, families and communities.
General requirements
According to the institutionally determined enrollment requirements, applicants to study a postgraduate Medical-Surgical program at UNINAVARRA must submit the following documents:
1. Registration form duly completed.
2. Receipt evidencing payment of registration fees.
3. Photocopy of the identity document (Citizenship Card / Alien Registration Card or passport).
4. If you are not Colombian you must bring your student or resident visa.
5. Resume with supports, including undergraduate transcripts incorporating internship (medical).
6. Accredit a university degree in one of the programs of the health area, in a Colombian Higher Education Institution duly recognized and authorized by the Ministry of National Education, or a foreign one recognized by the competent authority of the country of origin and whose degree is validated by the Ministry of National Education.
7. Mandatory Social Service Resolution
Specific requirements
As stated by AGREEMENT NUMBER 03 OF 2015 (May 25, 2015) of the Faculty Council of Health Sciences, which regulates the admission process for Clinical-Surgical Postgraduate Degrees, the following specific requirements were established for admission to the Specialization in Family Medicine program.
1. Evaluation of resume with supporting documents, including undergraduate transcripts incorporating the internship (medical).
2. Knowledge test with the characteristics determined by the institution.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in reading comprehension in English at the independent or intermediate level, i.e. level B1, through the mechanism established by the institution in the call for the admission process.
4. Interview.
5. Psycho-technical test.
Applicant Profile
To enter the postgraduate program, the applicant must have studied medicine and certify a medical degree as a graduate of a higher education institution recognized by the Ministry of National Education or abroad (for which he/she must provide the resolution of validation in which it is demonstrated that the program studied and the degree obtained is equivalent and recognized by the MEN in Colombia as a Physician).
The applicant's profile should demonstrate medical knowledge and interest in social aspects as determinants of health, sufficient for a good performance in the training process in the Family Medicine Specialization.
Must have social sensitivity and humanistic principles, showing interest in caring in an integral and continuous way to people, in the different life cycles, their families and communities in health matters. Willing to contribute with his/her work and professionalism in the reduction of health inequities.
Graduate profile
The specialist in Family Medicine, graduated from UNINAVARRA will be characterized by being a professional with a general knowledge base in medicine and with specialization in the maintenance of the health of the individual in their different life cycles.
A skilled specialist who is familiar with community immersion tools, public health policies and generates strategies that positively impact national health indicators.
A person-centered professional with the pluripotential resolution capacity to work in primary health care, hospital, emergency, rehabilitation, palliative care and administration of health services and policies.
An ethical community leader who will be highly committed to the region, the country and the research processes that generate knowledge in the areas concerning health and its determinants.
To fulfill this profile, the graduate physician will have the following attributes:
- Have a profound ability to establish a patient-physician relationship based on empathy, which will be transferred to his or her family and the community in which he or she is immersed.
- Given the characteristics of their training, they must have a high level of resolution and management skills. optimal prevalent health problems affecting different age groups, limiting the patient's mobility to more complex levels of care, which translates into the optimization and rationalization of health system resources.
- Their communicative and administrative skills enable them to act as leaders of the health care teams, facilitating the interaction of other medical specialties and other health care professional, focusing efforts on the wellbeing of individuals and the community environment.
- His ability to relate to the community, his ethnographic knowledge, his knowledge of and to investigate based on their needs, to be able to identify the problems and to and, based on its diagnosis, to focus its efforts on the education and training of the with a differential focus on self-care and self-knowledge.
- To have competences in adaptive processes to the particular characteristics of the environment, respecting the cultural, behavioral and communicative differences of the community.
- To be aware of the institutional support networks inherent to the community and its and of governmental and non-governmental programs that can be used to improve the quality of the as a support to the needs of the population, serving as a connector between them and the individual.
- Their work will be focused on health promotion and disease prevention, as a fundamental element that generates social change, taking into account the principle of the cost-benefit ratio, which is of vital importance in the face of health systems with extensive limitations. economic.
- Thanks to your knowledge in research and ICTS be able to create scientific information. and innovative strategies that it applies to research, education and transformation. individual and collective.
- It does not make presumptions about the individual, but rather, after a process of characterization involves the reality of the person and his or her context and uses simple tools that to evaluate, analyze and assist in the process of transformation of deleterious paradigms and motivates the process of adopting healthy habits, both physically and mentally, of self-care and mutual care.
- He is a human being concerned about ensuring that people regain their dignity in the whole process of care towards the improvement of their quality of life.
Dr. Isidro Torres Castro
COORDINATOR SPECIALIZATION IN FAMILY MEDICINE
Specialist in Family and Community Medicine Universidad de la Sabana. Specialist in University Teaching Fundación Universitaria Navarra-UNINAVARRA. Specialist in Management and Auditing of Health Organizations Universidad Iberoamericana. Neurolinguistic Programming Instructor. ASEIA.
Dr. Martha Estella Niebles Coronell
Professor of Family Medicine Specialization Fundación Universitaria Navarra - UNINAVARRA. Specialist in Comprehensive Family Medicine - Juan N. Corpas University Foundation. Specialist in University Teaching - University Foundation of Navarra - UNINAVARRA.
Jorge Augusto Moncaleano Saenz
Professor of Family Medicine Specialization Fundación Universitaria Navarra - UNINAVARRA. Specialist in Family Medicine - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Dr. Carlos Humberto Reyes Guio
Professor of Family Medicine Specialization Fundación Universitaria Navarra - UNINAVARRA. Specialist in Family and Community Medicine - Universidad de La Sabana. Diploma in University Teaching - Universidad de La Sabana.
Dr. María del Pilar Leal Vargas
Professor of Family Medicine Specialization Fundación Universitaria Navarra - UNINAVARRA. Specialist in Family Medicine - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Diploma in University Teaching - University Foundation UNINAVARRA.
Dr. Luis Carlos Quintero Malo
Medical Doctor with Specialization and Master in Bioethics. Diploma in Human Rights and Diploma in Medical Sexology.
Dr. Ingrid Carolina García Ayala
Professor of Family Medicine Fundación Universitaria Navarra-UNINAVARRA. Specialist in Family Medicine Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Specialist in Teaching for Higher Education; Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales- UDCA. Candidate Master in Clinical Pharmacology. University Foundation of Health Sciences- FUCS.
Dr. Jhonatan Andres Portes Ortiz
Specialist in Family Medicine from Universidad El Bosque. Specialist in Epidemiology from Universidad Surcolombiana.
Dr. Cristina Isabel Domínguez Charris
Teacher of the Specialization in Family Medicine - Fundación Universitaria Navarra
Medical Doctor - Universidad Metropolitana
Specialist in Family Medicine - Universidad El Bosque
Diploma in University Teaching
Obesidades: gran sesión creativa sobre obesidad sindrómica y de origen genéticol
Durante años, la obesidad fue reducida a un desequilibrio entre ingesta calórica y gasto energético, limitando su abordaje a recomendaciones de dieta y actividad física. Sin embargo, esta visión ha evolucionado frente a una realidad mucho más compleja: hoy se reconoce la existencia de múltiples fenotipos de obesidad, incluyendo formas sindrómicas y de origen genético, que requieren un análisis clínico más profundo y estrategias de manejo diferenciadas. Este cambio de paradigma resulta fundamental en un contexto donde la obesidad se consolida como una epidemia global con implicaciones multisistémicas.
En este escenario, el 24 de abril de 2026, la residente de primer año de Medicina Familiar de UNINAVARRA, Aitza Ines Salas Taborda , lideró una gran sesión creativa que destacó por su enfoque innovador y su capacidad de integrar conocimientos clínicos con pensamiento crítico. La actividad permitió explorar aquellas formas de obesidad de inicio temprano, particularmente en la infancia, asociadas a características fenotípicas específicas o a alteraciones genéticas donde el aumento de peso puede ser la principal manifestación. A través de un ejercicio dinámico y participativo, se promovió la identificación de señales de alerta y la comprensión de estas entidades más allá de los enfoques tradicionales.
Este tipo de espacios académicos fortalece de manera significativa la formación integral de los residentes, al fomentar habilidades analíticas, actualización científica y una visión más amplia del proceso salud-enfermedad. Comprender la heterogeneidad de la obesidad no solo mejora la capacidad diagnóstica, sino que también abre la puerta a intervenciones oportunas y específicas, especialmente en poblaciones pediátricas. Así, la academia reafirma su papel en la formación de médicos con enfoque integral, capaces de responder a los desafíos actuales de la práctica clínica con rigor y sensibilidad social.
Participación comunitaria de Medicina Familiar: educación en sexualidad para adolescentes como estrategia de impacto social
En el marco de su compromiso con la formación integral y la transformación social, el programa de Medicina Familiar desarrolló una segunda jornada de educación en sexualidad dirigida a adolescentes de instituciones estatales, consolidando un proceso formativo continuo que trasciende el aula y se proyecta hacia la comunidad. Esta iniciativa, realizada el 22 de abril de 2026 en una institución educativa de secundaria en el centro de la ciudad, reunió a docentes, residentes e internos en un ejercicio académico con enfoque estratégico, orientado a generar impacto real en la salud y el bienestar de la población joven.
La actividad se llevó a cabo en un entorno pedagógico concebido como un espacio seguro de información, donde 60 estudiantes de grado octavo participaron activamente, acompañados por docentes del plantel educativo. En este escenario, se promovió el diálogo abierto, respetuoso y basado en evidencia, permitiendo a los adolescentes expresar inquietudes sobre anatomía, fisiología y aspectos fundamentales de la sexualidad. El abordaje incluyó contenidos clave como los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, el autocuidado, el respeto por el cuerpo propio y ajeno, así como la comprensión de los cambios físicos y emocionales propios de la adolescencia, fortaleciendo habilidades para la toma de decisiones informadas.
Este tipo de intervenciones posiciona a la academia como un agente articulador entre el conocimiento científico y las necesidades sociales, reafirmando su papel en la construcción de entornos educativos protectores y conscientes. La participación del programa no solo contribuye a la prevención de riesgos en salud, sino que también impulsa procesos de empoderamiento juvenil, evidenciando que la educación en salud, cuando se desarrolla en ambientes seguros y participativos, se convierte en una herramienta poderosa de cambio social sostenible.
Medicina Familiar UNINAVARRA: liderazgo académico en el simposio departamental sobre prevención y detección temprana del cáncer de mama
El cáncer de mama continúa siendo uno de los principales retos en salud pública, no solo por su alta carga de morbimortalidad en la mujer, sino también por el impacto social y familiar que conlleva. Sin embargo, su detección oportuna transforma el pronóstico y abre la posibilidad real de curación, lo que refuerza la necesidad de fortalecer estrategias de educación, tamización y atención integral desde todos los niveles del sistema de salud. En este contexto, la academia se posiciona como un actor clave en la formación de talento humano con enfoque preventivo, crítico y comprometido con las realidades del entorno.
La participación de la especialización en Medicina Familiar de UNINAVARRA en el simposio departamental de prevención y detección temprana del cáncer de mama, realizado el 24 de abril de 2026 en la Asamblea Departamental de Neiva, evidenció el papel activo de la universidad en escenarios de alto impacto regional. Este espacio reunió no solo a la academia, sino también a entidades gubernamentales y a la Universidad Surcolombiana (USCO), consolidando un diálogo intersectorial necesario para el abordaje integral de esta patología. La intervención del coordinador del programa resaltó la importancia de articular la formación médica con las necesidades reales de la población, promoviendo estrategias basadas en evidencia y centradas en la atención primaria. Posicionando la academia como ente de formación integral, formación para formar, formación para educar en salud, formación crítica y reflexiva, formación basada en las realidades sociales, y formación que articule investigación, evaluación de estrategias y generación de impacto social.
Este tipo de escenarios fortalece el posicionamiento de la universidad a nivel departamental como un referente en formación, investigación e impacto social. La participación en eventos científicos y académicos no solo visibiliza el compromiso institucional, sino que también impulsa la generación de conocimiento pertinente, la construcción de redes colaborativas y el liderazgo en políticas de salud pública. Así, UNINAVARRA reafirma su papel como agente transformador, capaz de incidir en la prevención de enfermedades de alto impacto y en la construcción de una sociedad más informada y saludable.
Prevención del síndrome aórtico agudo: el rol olvidado de la Medicina Familiar
Con su ponencia magistral “Prevención del síndrome aórtico agudo: el rol olvidado de la Medicina Familiar”, presentada en el Primer Congreso Regional de Medicina Familiar de UNINORTE, el residente de quinto semestre John Hagler Romero posicionó un tema de alta relevancia clínica que con frecuencia pasa desapercibido en la práctica cotidiana. Su intervención fue un llamado a reconocer que detrás de eventos agudos y potencialmente fatales existen procesos silenciosos y progresivos que pueden ser identificados y abordados de manera oportuna desde la Atención Primaria en Salud.
Este espacio académico permitió visibilizar cómo muchas de las enfermedades más críticas no se originan en los servicios de urgencias, sino en trayectorias clínicas prolongadas donde la intervención temprana marca la diferencia. Desde la Medicina Familiar, el enfoque en la detección precoz, el control de factores de riesgo y el seguimiento longitudinal del paciente se convierte en una herramienta poderosa para prevenir desenlaces graves, reafirmando su papel estratégico dentro del sistema de salud.
La participación de residentes en estos escenarios no solo fortalece su formación académica y pensamiento crítico, sino que impulsa el desarrollo de competencias en investigación, comunicación científica y liderazgo profesional. Promover que los especialistas en formación expongan en congresos es apostar por una Medicina Familiar más visible, sólida y transformadora, capaz de anticiparse a la enfermedad y generar un impacto real en la vida de las personas. La Medicina Familiar no solo trata enfermedades… las previene.
La doctora Martha Niebles ponente en el primer congreso regional de medicina familiar, UNINORTE
La doctora Martha Niebles Coronell, docente del programa de Medicina Familiar de UNINAVARRA, participó como ponente en el Primer Congreso Regional de Medicina Familiar de UNINORTE en 2026, abordando un tema central en la práctica clínica: el manejo integral del dolor. Su intervención resaltó la importancia de una evaluación inicial rigurosa, enfocada en la caracterización de la calidad e intensidad del dolor como base para una adecuada toma de decisiones terapéuticas.
En este contexto, destacó el uso racional del ascensor analgésico como herramienta fundamental para guiar el tratamiento de manera escalonada, segura e individualizada. El dolor, al ser uno de los motivos de consulta más frecuentes en todos los niveles de atención, exige un abordaje estructurado desde la atención primaria que permita no solo aliviar el síntoma, sino mejorar la funcionalidad y la calidad de vida del paciente.
Este tipo de ponencias evidencian la experticia del médico familiar en la resolución de problemas prevalentes y subrayan la importancia de posicionar estos temas en escenarios académicos, científicos y comunitarios. Su difusión fortalece la formación continua y consolida una atención más humana, resolutiva y centrada en las necesidades reales de las personas y sus contextos.
UNINAVARRA facing the world
We have an Internationalization Policy "UNINAVARRA FACING THE WORLD"which aims to offer the academic community a bridge between the local environment and the globalized world. Through its lines of action, it provides opportunities for interaction with the national and international environment in classroom and online mode, where you can live training experiences in other contexts, interact with people from different cultures, learn about the global dynamics and its social, cultural, economic, environmental changes, among others; enhance your career with national and international projection and strengthen your training as a global professional and citizen of the world.
Lines of action and opportunities:
- International Cooperation Management: Agreements, alliances, joint projects and networking with more than 200 institutions from different countries around the world such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Spain, United States, Italy, Mexico, Peru, among others.
- Academic Mobility Management: Student exchange opportunities during one or two academic periods throughout the development of the student's academic program in different types of mobility such as: academic exchange (taking subjects), short course, internship, practicum, medical rotation, mission, research stay, observership and degree modalities. Teaching mobility as national and foreign visiting professors in your classroom.
- Multiculturalism and Multilingualism Management: Activities that contribute to the development of intercultural competencies and communicative competence in a foreign language, mainly English as a universal language.
- Management of the Internationalization of the Curriculum: Joint classes with other institutions through mirror class methodology or COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning).
More information: https://uninavarra.edu.co/internacionalizacion/
Why study the Specialization in
Family Medicine at UNINAVARRA?
You will receive medical training with a holistic and humanized approach: Family medicine focuses on providing comprehensive, person-centered care, considering both physical and psychosocial aspects. This holistic approach ensures that all of the patient's needs are addressed and their well-being is promoted as a whole.
We promote prevention and health promotion: Family medicine focuses on disease prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles. Family physicians play a key role in educating patients about the importance of prevention and designing intervention strategies to maintain long-term health.
We understand the importance of primary health care: Family medicine is fundamental to primary health care, being the gateway to the health care system for many people. Family physicians are experts in the early detection of disease, the management of chronic conditions and the monitoring of patients' general health.
At UNINAVARRA, we have advanced resources for family medicine training. The High Complexity Simulated Hospital (HUSAC) gives students the opportunity to practice in a realistic environment with state-of-the-art technology. In addition, we have strategic alliances with important health institutions, so that students can perform professional practices in a quality clinical environment.
If you are interested in providing comprehensive medical care and being an agent of change in people's health, the specialization in family medicine at UNINAVARRA will provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in this vitally important field.
Practice scenarios