To the pride of the people of Las Tunas, Dr. Yordania Velázquez Ávila, Doctor of Medical Sciences, was awarded one of the prizes issued by the Cuban Academy of Sciences in the category of Biomedical Sciences, as a result of her arduous research into the most notable scientific work carried out during 2024.
The research project “Contribution to the improvement of care for patients with genodermatosis” also earned the Second-Degree Specialist in Dermatology the 2023 Annual Health Award. This study on genetic skin diseases references 15 years of research work, mainly at the Mártires de Las Tunas pediatric hospital.
Among the doctor's greatest academic achievements, her research includes a methodology for comprehensive care for patients with genodermatosis, which shares the protocol to be followed at all three levels of care, with a follow-up algorithm. Her study also proposes diagnostic criteria for xeroderma pigmentosum and type I neurofibromatosis.
To this end, Velázquez Ávila designed and made available to health professionals and the general public a mobile application: genodermatology, with free access, to facilitate the diagnosis of skin diseases and promote education for patients and their families. From the Cuban platform https://www.apklis.cu/application/cu.medpro.genodermatologia, and with international reach https://genodermatologia.uptodown.com/android.
In conversation with 26, the doctor assured that the recognition does not fall solely on the group of authors who were distinguished, but also on the executing institution, the Mártires de Las Tunas Provincial Teaching Pediatric Hospital. “In turn, it constitutes an achievement for medical sciences in the territory and for the University of Medical Sciences of Las Tunas, which oversees this research,” Yordania explained.
"I cannot fail to highlight the support of the Las Tunas provincial chapter of the Cuban Society of Dermatology, and this is undoubtedly an important achievement for Cuban dermatology, given the international impact of having ventured into a field that is almost exclusive to developed countries with access to expensive technology.
“I feel excited, but even more committed to my patients and colleagues. I am grateful to my team, to the institutions that support us, and to the patients who trust us. The study aims to ensure that they do not need to travel to other provinces to receive care that includes diagnosis, education, follow-up, and family assessment.”
The doctor pointed out that her research is not completed, and her immediate plans include the use of natural dermo-cosmetics for the ongoing skin care of these patients, as well as continuing to improve the care process for people suffering from rare skin diseases.
The tenured professor and assistant researcher commented that the research was supported by other authors, including Dr. Carmen Rosa Rodríguez Valenciano, Dr. Miladys Jorraca Castillo, Dr. Marisa Morales Solís, and Dr. Alexander Miguel Llamosa González, among other physicians whose contributions optimized the final study.
