For Dr. Israel Ugalde, recognition thousands of kilometers from home has become a reminder that meaningful professional work can extend far beyond geographical boundaries. The specialist in integrative medicine and naturopathy received a Certificate of Excellence on August 14, 2026, during a ceremony held in Rome, Italy.
The recognition, presented by Rasha Fendi, acknowledged Ugalde’s career in healthcare as well as the social and professional impact associated with his medical work beyond Mexico.
While international recognition can mark an important professional milestone, Ugalde sees the honor as something larger than an individual achievement. For him, it reflects years of discipline, consistency and a belief that healthcare should ultimately be connected to a humanitarian purpose.
“When you do things with love, discipline, and a genuine purpose, results follow, sometimes from places you never imagined, thousands of kilometers from home,” Ugalde said while reflecting on receiving the recognition.
His words capture an important theme in his professional journey: impact is not necessarily defined by where someone works, but by how their knowledge and values are put into practice.
Recognition Beyond Mexico
Receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Italy represents another international chapter for Ugalde. As a Mexican healthcare professional working in integrative medicine and naturopathy, he has focused on developing his career while maintaining an emphasis on service and professional responsibility.
In a public statement following the ceremony, Ugalde expressed his gratitude to Rasha Fendi for the institutional support he received in Europe.
He also dedicated the recognition to his family and ancestors, acknowledging the role inherited values have played in shaping his personal ethics and professional outlook.
That connection between professional achievement and family influence remains significant for Ugalde. Rather than viewing success entirely through titles or awards, he has emphasized perseverance, integrity and responsibility toward others as important measures of a meaningful career.
Knowledge With a Social Purpose
Ugalde believes professional knowledge reaches its greatest value when it is used to benefit the wider community.
This philosophy has influenced the way he approaches his work in healthcare. His perspective places medical knowledge alongside social responsibility, with the objective of creating an impact that extends beyond individual professional accomplishments.
The recognition in Rome also contributes to the international presence being established by Mexican healthcare professionals through their involvement in wellness, medical care and innovation.
For Ugalde and his team, however, the award is not being treated as a conclusion.
Instead, he described it as additional motivation to continue working on research, development and medical care programs intended to benefit society. The recognition therefore carries a sense of responsibility alongside celebration.
The international journey is also expected to continue. According to information surrounding the recognition, a ceremony hosted by the Royal family is planned in Dubai next year, adding another international setting to the broader program of honors.
For Dr. Israel Ugalde, the experience in Italy demonstrates what can happen when professional ambition is combined with a clear sense of purpose.
His Certificate of Excellence may have been presented in Rome, far from his home country, but the values he associates with the achievement remain deeply personal: family, discipline, integrity, service and perseverance.
As Ugalde continues his healthcare work, the recognition serves both as acknowledgment of what has already been accomplished and as encouragement to continue developing initiatives designed to create a lasting social impact.
