Held from July 24 to 27, the congress served as a hub for medical updates and knowledge-sharing among professionals in the field.
During the closing ceremony, the Society announced its newly elected board of directors for the 2025–2027 term, to be led by Dr. Carlos Rodríguez Estevez, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist from Puerto Plata.
Dr. Rodríguez earned his medical degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and completed a specialization in orthopedics at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). He later pursued a fellowship in spine surgery in Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia.
Currently, he serves as Head of the Department of Spinal Deformities at the Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital and is a staff member of the Dominican Rehabilitation Association.
Outgoing SDCC president Dr. Lizardi de la Cruz expressed gratitude to all national and international speakers who participated in the congress and addressed key topics surrounding advancements in spinal health. He also extended his best wishes to the incoming board, which will officially take office in November.
A Forward-Looking Administration
In his first speech as president-elect, Dr. Rodríguez outlined the challenges and goals for the new board, which includes Dr. Ulises Acosta (Vice President), Dr. Osmar Corona (Secretary General), Dr. Hellwag Flores (Treasurer), and board members Dr. Miguel Luna Ortiz, Dr. Carlos Pimentel, and Dr. Mingkingueis Maarlem.
The new leadership team presented the strategic pillars of their administration:
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2026 International Congress: In partnership with the Ibero-American Spine Society, the SDCC plans to organize a major event expected to gather over 500 spine surgeons from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries.
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Official Scientific Journal: The Society will launch a specialized publication focused on health innovation, aiming to establish the SDCC as a regional leader in scientific research and professional development.
Dr. Rodríguez also highlighted major achievements of the Society, such as the establishment of national sub-specialties in spine surgery, enabling professionals to pursue advanced training within the country rather than seeking education abroad.
The congress also welcomed notable figures including Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero, President of the Dominican Medical Association, and Dr. Luis Peña Núñez, Secretary General of the Association, both of whom expressed their support for the SDCC and praised the impact of such events on continued medical education.
