Dr. Edwin A. Villalobos C

For organizations, I’m able to enhance a wide range of execution tasks with deep industry expertise and a comprehensive approach, offering experienced guides to help design and implement successful programs, from performance improvement and resource management to the patient experience of valuable care.

I hold a career of transforming schemes for boards and directives of C-level entourage, from facility planning and design, to modeling terms of care, and construction and opening new medical projects in a trustworthy manner. Lecturer at events on management, continuous improvement, motivation, and cultural change deployment to address efficient administration that binds with the strategy design. Medical affairs, crisis management, and medical accountability are areas where I actively teach and stay involved in postgraduate programs.

Dr. Edwin A. Villalobos C. currently serves as Chief Medical Officer and Consultant at MEDI CAPA Ambulatory Surgical Center, where he leads strategic efforts to evaluate, diagnose, and resolve operational challenges—including addressing financial deficits and optimizing clinical workflows. His work focuses on aligning care delivery with sustainable, high-performance models in ambulatory surgical care.

In parallel, Dr. Villalobos holds a leadership position as a Board Member of the Colegio Médico de Panamá (Panama’s National Medical Association). In this role, he contributes to the development and implementation of national healthcare policies, promotes ethical standards, and supports continuous professional development for medical practitioners. He also advocates for the medical community in regulatory and governmental forums, while actively engaging in public health initiatives to address community health needs.

Through these roles, Dr. Villalobos bridges institutional governance with frontline innovation, reinforcing Panama’s commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability in healthcare.

Consulting Expertise (Contractual)

Cooperativa Profesionales, R.L.:                                                                                       Feb 2024 – 2022-2024

Medical Director-Leading Consultant

Responsible for guiding architectural and engineering contractors on medical terms and functionality for designing the Professional Hospital, Panama.

Development of strategy plan, business model, operating model, validating finance structure, governance, and organizational structure.

MEDICAPA Ambulatory Surgical Center:                                                                       June 2024 – Present

Interim CMO and Consultant to evaluate, diagnose, and improve operational challenges, including financial deficit, Panama.

Clinica Especializada de Azuero:                                                                                   June 2022- Feb 2024

Medical Director and PM for a new community hospital in Azuero Peninsula, Panama.

Responsible for all equipment management contracts, preoperational checklists, budgetary reviews, staffing, and licensing of all clinical services.

Wilson Surgery Center:                                                                                                       2023-2025

Development of Business Plan, Financial Model, Operation Model, and Equipment budgeting for a pre-inversion ambulatory surgical center. Panama.

Accomplishments

Leadership

• Transformative Leadership: Successfully implemented innovative approaches and strategies to drive positive change and enhance healthcare delivery.
• Collaborative Leadership: Led the establishment of the first healthcare cooperative ecosystem in Panama, working with a team of experts to set up a community hospital.

Governance

• Ethical Oversight: As President of the National IRB Committee, ensured the ethical conduct of research involving human participants.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensured compliance with national laws, regulations, and medical standards in various roles.

Strategic Planning

• Strategic Advisor: Designed business, financial, and care models aligned with strategic ambitions to gain market share.
• Operational Excellence: Led several change and operational excellence initiatives in different healthcare settings.

Financial Analysis

• Economic Analysis: Provided economic analysis for healthcare institutions, optimizing budgets and exploring efficiencies.
• Financial Structuring: Created and modeled financial structures to explore opportunities.

Business Development

• Healthcare Advisory: Developed innovative solutions that enhance the value of healthcare services.
• Market Access: Achieved key success factors through differentiation and lateral thinking.

Hospital Design and Construction

• Architectural Design: Influenced the architectural design of hospitals based on international patient safety and quality care standards.
• Project Director: Led the establishment of new community hospitals, ensuring compliance with international safety standards.

Medical Education

• Academic Leadership: Organized and executed academic programs aligned with the organization’s vision and mission.
• Program Coordination: Managed and oversaw the Hospital Administration Diploma program, contributing to the development of the program.

Research

• Innovation Strategist: Collaborated with healthcare institutions to identify and implement cutting-edge technologies and processes.
• Ethical Research: Provided deep understanding of ethical considerations in healthcare research.

Crisis Management

• Crisis Handling: Mediated and conciliated with patients, families, or legal representatives during complaints.

Risk Management, Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

• Coordinating JCI preparation and passing accreditation
• Coordinating the culture of safety survey and collaborating with QI to implement patient safety best practices.

Operational Model: Implemented effective operational models within healthcare consortia.

Supplier Negotiation

• Negotiation: Negotiated with suppliers, insurance companies, medical guilds, nurses, and technicians.
• Provider Relations: Improved timelines and maintained project schedules through collaboration with providers.

Personnel Administration

• Recruitment: Recruited clinical and paraclinical staff, ensuring job descriptions and functions met international accreditation standards.
• Staff Training: Developed training programs for medical and administrative staff on safety and quality standards.

Academic Experience

Acropolis Capacitaciones, Panama, Panama:                                                                                 Aug 2021 – 2024

Coordinator of Healthcare Administration Diploma Program

• Managed and oversaw the Hospital Administration Diploma program.
• Provided knowledge, experience, and insights for learners.
• Ensured effective physician relations, crisis management, and negotiation.
• Improved healthcare services and delivered regulatory presentations.
• Facilitated medical communication and implemented healthcare marketing strategies.

Latin American University of Science and Technology (now Interamerican University of Panama): Jan 2009 – Jan 2012

Academic Director of the School of Medicine

• Organized and executed academic programs aligned with the organization’s vision and mission.
• Initiated clinical rotations for medical students.
• Coordinated the Clinical Simulation Center and trained teachers on the implementation of simulation as an instructional method.
• Recruited Basic and Clinical Medical Science Faculty.
• Established strong and positive relationships with providers, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.

National and International Speaker

• Patient Safety: Delivered presentations on the importance of patient safety protocols and practices.
• Quality of Care: Discussed strategies for improving the quality of healthcare services.
• Medical Ethics: Addressed ethical considerations in medical practice and research.
• Medical Responsibility: Explored the responsibilities of healthcare professionals in ensuring patient well-being.
• Person-Centered Care: Advocated for healthcare approaches that prioritize the needs and preferences of patients.

Activities, Societies, Foundations, and Affiliations

• President, Treacher Collins Foundation Panama
• Vice President, Dysautonomy Foundation Panama
• Member, AYOUDAS Foundation Panama
• Founder and President, Social Assistance and Human Projection Committe
• Former Member, Club Active 20-30
• Representative, Republic of Panama Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Panama- United States Chamber of Commerce