Meet Colombia’s first female robotic orthopedic surgeon: Video
In Colombia, Dr. Luz Angela Vélez is the first female surgeon to perform reconstructive procedures using robotic assistance.
From knee replacements to advanced joint reconstructions, Vélez is using new technology to deliver faster, safer recoveries for patients across Latin America and beyond.
The robotic system she employs allows for millimetric precision, helping patients walk pain-free just 24 hours after surgery. Vélez’s work not only represents a leap in surgical innovation but also breaks gender barriers in a field historically dominated by men.
“Orthopaedics has always been led by men,” Vélez told Viory, “but I’ve led a group of women, and I hope there will be many more of us in Latin America.”
Strategically located in the city of Barranquilla, close to Central America, the Caribbean, and the southern U.S., Vélez sees the city as a growing hub for medical tourism. Her work gives patients access to U.S.-standard robotic care at home or nearby.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
