Santiago de los Caballeros.- The Municipal Council of the City Hall of Santiago de los Caballeros recognized this Friday nine doctors who graduated from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) in 1982, on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of that graduating class and in recognition of their contributions to the development of medicine and health in the Dominican Republic and abroad.
The distinction was established through resolution number 3528-26, approved by the Municipal Council on August 10, 2026, at the request of the MED-UASD 82 Organizing Committee, channeled through the mayor of Santiago, Ulises Rodríguez.
Dr. Elicia Novas Mateo de Velásquez, Dr. Fausto Antonio Hernández Alberto, Dr. Marino Pérez Abreu, Dr. Pedro Celestino Vargas Colón, and Dr. Nixara Mariel Rodríguez Inocencio de Castellanos were recognized as Adoptive Children of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros.
While doctors Juan Bautista Espaillat Fernández, Nelson Rafael Leonidas Grullón Estrella, Víctor E. Peralta Sánchez, and Wilhelm T. Lawrence Riggio received recognition as Distinguished Sons of Santiago de los Caballeros.
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Mayor Ulises Rodríguez highlighted the contributions of the doctors who graduated from the UASD in 1982 to the development of medicine and the well-being of Dominican society, while also valuing their lasting friendship and professional commitment over a 44-year career.
“For Santiago, it is a source of pride to recognize you as Meritorious Children and Adoptive Children, because this tribute represents our gratitude for 44 years of dedication, sacrifices, and service to the health and lives of Dominicans,” stated Ulises Rodríguez.
Councilwoman Yudelka Castellanos, vice president of the Municipal Council, highlighted that the City Council recognizes the doctors who graduated from the UASD in 1982 for their trajectory, dedication, and contributions to society, while emphasizing that the tribute represents a sign of gratitude from Santiago to professionals who, for decades, have provided knowledge, hope, and care to numerous families.
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Dr. Marino Pérez, representing the doctors who graduated from UASD in 1982, thanked Mayor Ulises Rodríguez and the Santiago Municipal Council for the recognition and highlighted the growth the city has experienced in recent years, especially in terms of tourism, culture, and urban mobility.
“We really feel very excited. We want to thank all the members of this Chapter Hall and, especially, the mayor of Santiago, because he accepted our request to celebrate the anniversary of our B2-82 promotion in our city for the first time. We have seen the great growth of Santiago in recent years, particularly in tourism, culture, and mobility, and we feel very happy to be recognized as meritorious and adoptive children of this city”.
The 1982 graduating class of physicians from the UASD holds annual meetings to strengthen bonds of friendship and commemorate the achievements reached over more than four decades of professional practice.
Although these meetings have traditionally been held in the eastern region of the country, this year its members chose Santiago de los Caballeros as the venue for the celebration of their 44th anniversary, motivated by the growth, organization, modernization, and beautification that the city exhibits.
The reading of the resolution was in charge of Luis José Cruz, municipal secretary, with the presence of Vice Mayor Mariana Moreno, a commission of council members, Arismendi Dajer, secretary general of the City Council, among other municipal officials and special guests.
