[vc_section][vc_row gap=”15″][vc_column][section_header use_decoration=”0″ main_heading=”PROFESSOR EDGAR IVAN ORTIZ LIZCANO” color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1693516264077{padding-top: 2% !important;padding-right: 2% !important;padding-bottom: 2% !important;padding-left: 2% !important;background-color: #216670 !important;}”][vc_separator color=”mulled_wine” border_width=”4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”20935″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][section_header use_decoration=”0″ main_heading=”I was born in Cali, Colombia on February 9th, 1955. I am a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics with a Master’s degree in Public Health.” text_align=”left” font_size=”small” color=”#000000″ css=”.vc_custom_1693516290906{padding-top: 2% !important;padding-right: 2% !important;padding-bottom: 2% !important;padding-left: 2% !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Since 1984, I have been a university professor at the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. I have published multiple scientific articles and wrote chapters in Gynecology and Obstetrics textbooks. My life has been dedicated to advocating for women’s rights.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I have experience in public administration as the Secretary of Health of my hometown from 1997 to 2000, and I have served as Acting Mayor of Cali on two occasions during the same period.

I have worked as an advisor to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, contributing to the design of public policies in sexual and reproductive health and the development of interventions aimed at reducing maternal and perinatal mortality. Additionally, I have worked as a consultant for International Cooperation Organizations.

During my tenure as President of the Colombian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2014 to 2016, I successfully aligned the organization with the country’s public policies, which resulted in increased visibility of the National Society through the execution of high-impact projects. These projects included the care protocol for pregnant girls under 15 years of age, the preconception care protocol, the protocol for voluntary interruption of pregnancy, and the obstetric emergency care model for Colombia. Currently, I am the academic coordinator of the training activities planned by the Ministry of Health of Colombia in the accelerated plan to reduce maternal mortality, representing the Colombian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]I served as the President of the Latin American Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FLASOG) from 2014 to 2017, where I led a transformation of the organization in administrative, financial, and mission-related aspects. From this position, I promoted initiatives to reduce maternal mortality in Latin America and advocated for the sexual and reproductive rights of women on the continent.

I have been invited as a guest speaker to conferences in all Latin American countries and globally. I lead the initiative for monitoring extreme maternal morbidity in Latin America and advocate for interventions aimed at improving the quality and safety of obstetric care in South America.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”20938″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a member of the Board of FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), representing the Latin American Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology, I served continuously for 9 years until 2021. I participated in the Scientific Committee of the Rio 2017 Congress and was the Vice Chair of the Scientific Committee for the FIGO World Congress in Sydney in 2020.

Currently, I am a member of the FIGO Board as the Regional Trustee for Latin America in the period 2021-2023. I have been recognized for my collaboration, commitment, and ongoing contributions to the key decisions of the organization in recent years, ensuring active participation of low- and middle-income countries, especially those in Latin America, in the future of FIGO.

As the Regional Trustee, on behalf of FIGO, I led the organization of the Regional Congress in Cartagena, Colombia in November 2022. I am also responsible for two regional projects aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of the 19 National Member Societies of the Latin American Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology to advocate for women’s rights in the region.

 

Throughout my professional life, I have received recognition as a Distinguished Latin American Professor by the Latin American Federation of Perinatology in 2016, as a Colombian Master of Obstetrics and Gynecology by the Colombian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2017, as an Honorary Member by the Spanish Society of Contraception in the same year, as an Honorary Professor of the Universidad del Valle in 2020, and as an Honorary Fellow of the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. I have been nominated as a Latin American Master of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2023 and I am currently a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

My life has been dedicated to advocating for women’s rights and training human resources. My greatest interest is to continue working for women’s health and to consolidate FIGO as the voice of women in the world, especially the most vulnerable. To achieve this goal, I will continue to dedicate my efforts, experience, and knowledge to generate initiatives that fulfill this purpose.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]