| 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
Profesor Especialización Medicina Familiar Fundación Universitaria Navarra – UNINAVARRA. Médico Especialista en Medicina Familiar – 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
Reinducción de Antiguos Residentes del Posgrado en Medicina Familiar -año 2026
La reinducción de los antiguos residentes del programa de posgrado en Medicina Familiar de la Fundación Universitaria Navarra – UNINAVARRA constituye un espacio académico fundamental para retomar y fortalecer el vínculo de los residentes con la institución. Este evento permite recordar y actualizar los lineamientos que orientan la formación, reafirmando el compromiso con los principios y valores que caracterizan al programa.
Durante la jornada, se socializan las políticas institucionales y las estrategias didácticas que sustentan el proceso formativo, así como las oportunidades de investigación y proyección social disponibles para los residentes. De igual manera, se promueve la reflexión en torno a los retos actuales y las perspectivas del ejercicio profesional en Medicina Familiar, con el fin de favorecer una visión integral y crítica de la práctica médica.
Todo este proceso tiene como objetivo fortalecer el sentido de pertenencia, ampliar el conocimiento institucional y académico, y brindar herramientas que preparen a los residentes para culminar su formación de manera exitosa. La reinducción se consolida así como un apoyo clave para el cierre de esta etapa formativa y la proyección profesional de los futuros especialistas.
PNL y Medicina Familiar: una experiencia de transformación personal y profesional
El 26 de enero de 2026, el programa de Medicina Familiar de UNINAVARRA vivió una jornada formativa profundamente transformadora con la realización del taller de Programación Neurolingüística (PNL) y Medicina Familiar, dirigido por el doctor Isidro Torres, Instructor ASEIA en PNL, y con la participación de docentes y residentes. Este espacio académico trascendió la formación clínica convencional para convertirse en
una experiencia de autoconocimiento, reflexión y crecimiento personal, alineada con la
visión integral que caracteriza a la medicina familiar.
Durante el taller, los participantes exploraron de manera vivencial las barreras mentales, los pensamientos limitantes y los procesos inconscientes que influyen tanto en el ejercicio profesional como en la relación médico-paciente. A través de actividades expresivas como la música y la danza, se promovió la conexión emocional, la empatía y la comunicación auténtica. Asimismo, se abordaron herramientas prácticas de PNL e hipnosis
ericksoniana, orientadas al manejo de ansiedad, estrés y fobias, fortaleciendo competencias clave para un abordaje humano, efectivo y centrado en la persona.
Esta experiencia también permitió construir lazos relacionales, reconocer al otro como un ser integral y reafirmar la importancia del contacto humano en todas las dimensiones de la salud. Los residentes encontraron un espacio para reconectarse con sus metas, anhelos y propósito profesional, empoderándose desde una mirada consciente y reflexiva. Actividades como esta evidencian el compromiso de UNINAVARRA con una educación médica multidimensional, que forma médicos familiares capaces de integrar ciencia, humanidad y autoconocimiento en el cuidado de las personas, las familias y las comunidades.
Trayectoria de la falla cardíaca: un viacrucis de muchas estaciones
Comprender las trayectorias de la falla cardíaca es comprender, en esencia, la experiencia humana del sufrimiento, la esperanza y la resiliencia. En este marco, la residente de tercer año María Mercedes Araque Jiménez, el día 23 de enero de 2026, ofreció una sesión académica de alto impacto, que refleja con claridad el progreso profesional alcanzado en su proceso formativo y la solidez del programa de Medicina
Familiar de Uninavarra.
A través de una analogía profundamente simbólica y sensible —el camino al Calvario—, la doctora Araque representó el recorrido complejo, progresivo y muchas veces doloroso que transitan los pacientes con falla cardíaca. Cada estación evocó no solo el deterioro clínico, sino también las cargas emocionales, familiares y espirituales que acompañan esta condición crónica, recordándonos que la enfermedad no se vive en órganos aislados, sino en personas completas.
La sesión fue una reflexión profunda, sustentada en rigor científico, pero atravesada de manera transversal por la humanidad. Con claridad conceptual y sensibilidad clínica, se abordó el enfoque paliativo como una herramienta esencial del médico familiar: no para rendirse ante la enfermedad, sino para anticipar necesidades, aliviar el sufrimiento y sostener la dignidad del paciente incluso cuando el corazón se encuentra en un umbral de sobrevivencia, pero la voluntad de vivir permanece intacta.
Misión Guainía: Uninavarra y Medicina Familiar al servicio de los
territorios más apartados
La Especialización en Medicina Familiar de Uninavarra participó activamente en una misión asistencial de alto impacto en el departamento del Guainía, en alianza con el doctor Juan Fernando Ramón, presidente de la Sociedad Colombiana de Neurocirugía, reafirmando su compromiso con la equidad en salud y la atención de poblaciones con mayores barreras de acceso.
Durante siete días, el doctor Isidro Torres, docente del programa, y el residente de segundo año Pedro Rafael Torres, hicieron parte de una jornada interdisciplinaria que inició con el traslado aéreo a Puerto Inírida, donde se sostuvo un encuentro con el gobernador del departamento. En este escenario se inició una estrategia innovadora de teleconsulta, mediante la donación de gafas Meta, orientada a ampliar el acceso a especialidades médicas en zonas remotas.
En el hospital local se realizaron consultas en neurocirugía, neurología y medicina familiar, destacándose el aporte del enfoque familiar y comunitario, centrado en la persona, su familia y su contexto. Posteriormente, la misión se desplazó por vía fluvial a las comunidades indígenas de Caranacoa, Mavicure y Venado, donde se brindó atención integral hasta altas horas de la noche.
Esta experiencia fortaleció la formación del residente y generó un impacto significativo en comunidades históricamente excluidas, consolidando el rol de Uninavarra como una institución comprometida con la transformación social y la presencia académica en los territorios más apartados del país.
Inducción nueva promoción de residentes
2026 – VI cohorte
Al aproximarnos a la culminación del tercer año de la Residencia de Medicina Familiar de UNINAVARRA, celebramos con entusiasmo la llegada de una nueva cohorte de residentes que se integra a este proyecto académico y humano en permanente crecimiento.
Este nuevo grupo representa mucho más que un relevo generacional: es la confirmación de un proceso formativo sólido, del crecimiento sostenido del programa y del firme compromiso con una educación integral, pertinente y de alta calidad. Nos enorgullece el camino recorrido y el impacto positivo que nuestra especialización ha venido consolidando en la formación de médicos familiares al servicio de la comunidad.
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