The director of the school of dentistry at Montemorelos University, Marco Antonio Castro, was recently nominated as one of the 100 top doctors in the world for 2022 by the Global Summits Institute (GSI).

Each nomination represents recognition for dental professionals who, according to the GSI, exemplify clinical excellence, innovation, research, organizational leadership, and entrepreneurship in the service of the health-care industry.

“It is an honor to be considered and be on par with doctors who are recognized at a world level,” Castro said. “It means that we are doing things well and that our work is resonating and of interest to research bodies.” He added that “it is a privilege to be granted such recognition as a university, and as a person, and this tells us that we must try harder to do things better each day.”

According to GSI, each nominee is evaluated on their professional achievements in research, publications, continuing education, degrees obtained, previous recognitions, humanitarian efforts, contributions through innovation, leadership, and outstanding contributions to their profession.

Each cohort of “The Top 100 Doctors” includes distinguished professionals selected among thousands from more than 70 countries.

A native of Guatemala, Castro, 39, obtained his degree in dentistry from Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala, as well as a master’s degree in Oral Rehabilitation and Cosmetic Dentistry. He also completed Advanced Clinical Training (ACT) in Surgical Implant Dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles and qualified as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in the United States. He has a postgraduate degree in scientific research from San Carlos University in Guatemala and maintains a private practice.

Castro’s piece on Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) — which is used to accelerate the healing of soft and hard tissue in endodontics — was included in Richard J. Miron’s Understanding Platelet-Rich Fibrin, a book published in 2021 by Quintessence Publishing. Castro has two additional PRF research articles that are scheduled to be published.

In addition to his leadership responsibilities at Montemorelos University, Castro is working with the Research and Development Health Sciences Center at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on additional research articles. He ran his own dental practice in Guatemala for more than 10 years.

The GSI, in addition to recognizing the work of outstanding professionals, facilitates closer relationships between peers to maximize the exchange of information and collaboration.

All the nominees get to participate in the annual events by presenting their work. Castro will be representing Montemorelos University at the 2022 summit.

“This is of international prestige that outstanding and recognized professionals know that Montemorelos University is also doing quality research with valuable interdisciplinary teams,” Castro said.

A Seventh-day Adventist for more than a decade, Castro said it is a pleasure to represent the school before students, colleagues, and before God. “Guidance, knowledge, and wisdom come from God. He is [the One] who has enlightened and guided me,” he emphasized.

While this nomination focuses on dental professionals, the GSI has expanded nominations to include medical doctors, optometrists, pharmacists, and chiropractors.

In previous years, other Adventist doctors such as Joseph Kann, from Loma Linda University, California, United States, have been nominated for this prestigious recognition for their outstanding work in dentistry.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.