The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) awards this recognition to graduates who have excelled in their professional, humanitarian, and educational work.

For his contributions to education, science, and health, as well as upholding the values and principles of UAG, Dr. Jorge Luis Martínez Trabal, a graduate with a medical degree from this institution, received the“Lic. Antonio Leaño Álvarez del Castillo” Award.

This award was presented by Dr. Christopher A. Reeder, Dean of the UAG School of Medicine, during the graduation ceremony for the class of 2026.

He reminded doctors-in-training that nothing or no one can distract them from the most essential aspect of their profession: the care of human life. This is accomplished by planning, continual study, empathy, and ethics.

“Remember that the practice of medicine, although based on science, also has a lot to focus on that patients are human, teamwork and involvement of the community in which they live. This impacts patients directly and indirectly,” he concluded.

About the Laureate

Born on February 27, 1972, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, currently living in the municipality of Ponce, Dr. Martínez Trabal studied Medicine at the UAG School of Medicine, graduating in 1999.

Throughout his career he has specialized as a Vascular Surgeon in the areas of endovascular therapy of thoracic and abdominal aortic pathology; cerebrovascular interventions; peripheral vascular interventions; thrombolytic therapy, for proximal deep vein thrombosis; venous recanalization, Research, and academics.

He holds several positions in the field but the ones that stand out are the Program Director of the Surgery Residency in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and the Presidency of two corporations, one of them being the Medical Group of Vascular Surgeons in Puerto Rico.

He invented the Hybrid Venous Thrombectomy procedure, a new approach for treating blood clots in the legs for which he received the Servier Traveling Award from the American Venous Forum.

On the other hand, he received the award for Valor to Service on the Island of Puerto Rico from the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Trabal has also received other awards such as the "Raffucci Lecture" Award from the American College of Surgeons and the Doctors Choice Award from Buena Vida Magazine, in which he was recognized for being an outstanding doctor.

Dr. Trabal is a member of several organizations, including the Puerto Rico Medical Association and the Spanish-Speaking Vascular Society, to mention a few. He has written approximately 38 papers and exhibited and collaborated on over 43 projects.

In his message, Dr. Martínez Trabal shared that he was honored to return to his Alma Mater.

“After they [UAG] have [has] profoundly influenced my professional and personal life, I feel proud to be a part of UAG as they have recognized the fruits of my work," he said.