Daniel S. Marín-Medina, MD
Fleni Hospital Buenos Aires, Argentina
From Limited Resources to Expanding Possibilities I was born in Buenaventura, a small city in Colombia molded by both beauty and violence. Much of my childhood unfolded there, where opportunities were limited and daily life was shaped by conflict. When my family relocated 150 miles away to Pereira for safety, I was exposed to new possibilities, while carrying the memory of what it means to grow up with very little.
My parents did not have formal education, but they ensured I had access to it. All of my schooling was public, giving me not only knowledge but a deep sense of responsibility to my community. I was always focused on learning, supported by mentors who encouraged my curiosity. From early on, I was drawn to questions about why disease develops and why some people are more affected than others. That curiosity ultimately led me to medicine and neurology.
Neurology as Detective Work Neurology drew me in because it is a deeply clinical field. It requires careful listening, observation and problem-solving. In Colombia, where access to advanced technology can be limited, I learned to rely on those skills. I wasn’ t interested in ordering tests alone. I wanted to understand people and solve problems with the resources available.
My interest in Parkinson’ s disease began in medical school and quickly became central to my work. Witnessing treatments like deep brain stimulation revealed what is possible. At the same time, I became aware of the gaps in care, including patients who wait years for treatment or never see a specialist.
During my time as a Fellow, I’ ve been able to combine clinical training with research in a meaningful way. I follow patients over time and translate what I observe into research questions. My work focuses on Parkinson’ s and functional movement disorders, including symptoms like bradykinesia( slowness of movement), autonomic dysfunction, and changes in language and emotions that are often overlooked, but deeply affect daily life.
Taking It Home to Colombia Looking ahead, my goal is to bring this experience back to Colombia and help build more comprehensive systems of care. I’ ve been working to develop interdisciplinary teams that include rehabilitation and mental health support, because no single clinician can meet all of a patient’ s needs.
I’ m also committed to education, helping patients and families better understand their condition in clear, practical ways. For me, the work is about doing the best we can with what we have, while continuing to push for something better.
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