Dr. Dina, as she is known on social media and by her patients, was born and raised in Panama. Her childhood sounds like a dream- she has a big family and spent weekends on her grandparents’ farm. She did, however, experience very severe asthma and allergies that landed her in the hospital several times. Her familiarity with hospitals and her own search for independence away from her strict upbringing have taken her on a journey that most recently led her to open her own practice on the coveted Upper East Side of Manhattan.
What is your favorite part or favorite way of being Latina?
I see myself as 100% Latin. It’s in my bones, essence, personality, and how I do everyday things. It’s also how I’m raising my children—to show love and respect for their elders and women. I’m raising them to be good humans and to love a kiss, a hug, a dance—all those things that we risk losing in future generations.
What is your superpower?
Perseverance. If I fall, I get back up. I don’t even hesitate; I get up.
Tell us about a time when you were underestimated.
I’ve been underestimated in different aspects of work life. I’m underestimated not only because I’m Latina, but also because I’m a woman. I hit a roadblock in my career years ago and I’ll just say that being Latina was not an advantage.
Tell us about growing up.
Growing up was amazing. I grew up with solid fundamentals of family and love. I am originally from Panama and very close to my roots. I’m the oldest of three siblings. I have a sister and a brother; we’re all very close. My parents separated when I was 7, but we all have a great relationship. I grew up very close to both and they’re a crucial part of who I am. My grandparents were also present in our lives; they had farms, horses, and cows, where we spent our weekends. I think it was a very healthy childhood.
You left home at a young age. Tell us about that.
I went to medical school when I was 17, and I chose to leave Panama and go to Guadalajara, Mexico. My parents were very strict, so I wanted to go abroad and explore and live my life. It was good for me- I had to grow up in a way- I had responsibilities; it was the first time I had to manage my money, cook my food, and do my laundry. I also met amazing people. I always say Mexico is my third nationality. Looking back, I have no complaints; I would do it all over again.
Tell us about the journey to becoming a pediatrician.
Growing up, I wanted to be either a lawyer or a doctor; those were my two options. I have a strong personality and strong opinions, so I thought if I became a lawyer, I would either be broke or in jail, so I went for medicine. I knew I wanted to be a pediatrician from the moment I made that decision. I grew up with terrible asthma and allergies. I was allergic to everything. I was hospitalized several times, and, in a way, I grew up in that world. I knew I wanted to go to the U.S. or back to Panama for residency, and I ended up matching at a program in New York. I stayed in hospital medicine and loved it for many years; I loved my sick kiddos- I got to see how resilient they were and how they bounced back. What’s interesting is that I have always been fascinated by wellness. I was always physically active; when I was 15, I did a meditation retreat in Ecuador; I love yoga, Pilates, etc.
How are you embracing your passion for wellness in this phase of your career?
I knew that obesity was going to be the next epidemic many years ago. I remember organizing missions to bring medical personnel down to Panama and being fascinated by how weight and weight wellness manifested in underserved rural communities. We saw many children who were malnourished in early childhood, and the moment they hit school age, they developed obesity. They went from one extreme of nutrition to the other. So, in addition to my personal fascination with wellness, I started to love it from a scientific and professional point of view. I became board-certified in obesity medicine, and I began treating children and teens with eating disorders.
You next decide it’s time to go solo, you leave the hospital job and open your own business. Why do that?
I worked in hospitals for many years and reached high positions, but there came a time when there was little room for me to grow, and bureaucracy was getting in the way. I felt called to practice good medicine without the constraints of how much time you can spend with a patient. I wanted to practice individualized, evidence-based medicine on my own terms. I also wanted to focus on preventative medicine and have the ability to reshape people’s lives and health—not just physically but also mentally and emotionally.
Dina, you mentioned raising two boys. What advice do you have for women like you who are following their passion and ambition while raising kids at home?
It is a challenge. My kids are the most important thing, but my patients are also extremely important to me. I owe it to my patients to be the best doctor I can be. So, the biggest challenge is trying to do everything, and what I have learned with time is that it’s okay to say no and take a break. But whatever you’re doing, try to do it the best you can. It’s better to do a few things well than to cover too much ground and have things go wrong. I also think when you do things with love and passion, they don’t feel like a burden. I’m also very open with my loved ones and with myself- they know I’m not perfect, but I’m going to try to do the best that I can, and all that I do, I do with love.
Who is someone else we should feature on Informada?
Erika Mounynes. She is a lawyer, a diplomat, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Panama, and just a phenomenal person and human being.