Dr Maria Elena Cordoba Mosqueda: Redefining Neurosurgery Through Preci

In the complex universe of neurosurgery where a fraction of a millimeter can change a life, few will venture into the uncharted landscape of peripheral nerve surgery. But for Dr María Elena Córdoba Mosqueda, neurosurgeon at Mexico City's Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal, that complexity itself is what drives her mission. Her work is not just clinical accuracy; it's science, humanity and the pursuit of impact.

Early on, she was inspired by her physicist mother. A personal radial nerve injury sustained during her residency was a turning point. Firsthand experiencing the absence of specialized care, she decided to pursue a career that is critical yet few pursue it.

From her initial training at Pemex Hospital to seeking a global fellowship in Serbia and a master's in public health, María has pursued opportunities that hone both expertise and vision. As a prominent leader in one of Mexico's best tertiary-care hospitals, she leads a multidisciplinary team that fuses neurosurgery with orthopedic and rehabilitative care for integrated results.

Her practice is guided by the very principles of passion, precision, and lifelong learning. Her celebrated cases, spanning from restoring limb function after trauma to digging up unusual neurological conditions, serve as evidence of her sensitive practice of medicine. As a professor, researcher and potential PhD, Maria seeks to further develop minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures and introduce organized training programs to Mexico.

What key influences shaped your early life and career path?

My mother has been my strongest inspiration. She studied physics and had a deep love for science, which she passed on to me from a young age. Her early influence sparked my fascination for the body and led me to pursue the medical career.

During my studies, a few professors deepened my interest, especially in the nervous system. Their passion was contagious. Later, during my residency, I

was introduced to peripheral nerve surgeries. It struck me how overlooked this area was, yet how impactful it could be. That’s when I came across Professor Lukas Rasulić in Serbia and Professor Mariano Socolovsky in Argentina, both passionate about peripheral neurosurgery.

This field combines complex neural connections and biomechanics, pure science and deeply human impact. And that, to me, is truly beautiful.

What inspired you to pursue medicine, and how has your career evolved?

I had a lesion on my radial nerve during the second year of my residency. It was a pivotal moment for me. Not many people knew how to properly treat peripheral nerve injuries, and that caught my attention, especially because I was already studying neurosurgery. I began reading more about it and realized how critical these injuries can be.

I was fortunate to find an excellent doctor who treated me successfully, and I felt the need to do the same for others facing similar issues. These types of injuries aren't that common in clinical practice, so I wanted to dive deeper, to research more, innovate, and contribute.

A love for continuous learning is vital, as the field constantly evolves & demands that you stay updated with new techniques & research

Can you walk us through your career path & your current role?

I completed my residency at a hospital run by the Mexican oil company, Pemex, where I also served as chief resident during my final year. In the middle of the pandemic, I decided to further my studies in Serbia, joining a fellowship under Professor Rasulić at the Klinički Centar Srbije. While there, I also earned a master’s degree in public health.

After returning to Mexico, I began working in private hospitals. I’m currently a neurosurgeon at Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal, one of the largest hospitals here. I’ve built a strong multidisciplinary team. One of my close colleagues is an orthopedic surgeon who handles the mechanical side of limb procedures, while I focus on the “electric” side, as I like to say. We also work closely with rehabilitation specialists.

Introduce Hospital Angeles del Pedregal and its main areas of expertise.

This is a major third-level general hospital in Mexico, offering advanced care across all medical specialties. In Mexico’s mixed public-private healthcare system, third-level hospitals like this one are equipped for complex surgeries and specialized diagnostics.

The Hospital uses cutting-edge tools like the da Vinci robot for urology and colorectal procedures, O-arm CT in the OR, neuro-navigation systems, and electrophysiology testing crucial to my neurosurgical work. It’s one of the few hospitals nationwide with such extensive surgical infrastructure, including 3 Tesla MRI imaging in neurosurgery.

What core values have guided your growth, and what’s your vision ahead?

For me, the most important factor is passion. As Oscar Wilde once suggested, what truly matters in life is passion, not intelligence. Given the years of dedication neurosurgery requires, passion is what sustains you through the journey.

Currently, I'm a professor at my faculty of medicine, and I aim to continue combining clinical practice with research.

In the future, I may pursue a PhD. I'm especially interested in minimally invasive techniques for peripheral neurosurgery, possibly studying in Germany, where there's also exposure to robotic prosthetics.

My goal is to advance in research, refine surgical techniques like endoscopic methods, and continue inspiring the next generation of medical professionals.

How do you see Mexico’s healthcare evolving? Which trends are you focusing on for the future?

Although I work in the private sector, I understand Mexico’s healthcare system differs based on employment. Oil industry, state workers, and general employees all have separate coverage, while others rely on general public services. Efforts to unify the system face challenges due to population size and financial complexity.

Private healthcare is available to those who can afford it, with varying costs. While I work at a private hospital, I’m open to collaborating with public institutions, especially to perform surgeries and teach techniques for peripheral nerve injuries. The main hurdle is bureaucratic approval.

My goal is to train the next generation of neurosurgeons in both public and private settings. Like elsewhere, I hope to implement structured training to minimize complications, and all I ask is for access.

Dr Maria Elena Córdoba Mosqueda, Neurosurgeon, Hospital Angeles Del Pedregal

Dr María Elena Córdoba Mosqueda is a Mexico City-based neurosurgeon specializing in peripheral nerve surgery at Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal. Encouraged by her physicist mother and an injury, she made passion into purpose and pioneered this under-researched area. Her international training, which includes fellowship in Serbia, underpins her multidisciplinary, precision-based care model.