Doctor José Ángel Córdova Villalobos is originally from León, Guanajuato. He graduated from León´s Faculty of Medicine, specialized in Internal Medicine at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán” and studied General Surgery and Digestive Endoscopy at the Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse. Moreover he has a Master’s in Public Administration from the Faculty of Law of the University of Guanajuato and has received the Honoris Causa Doctorate from the Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse.

In his work trajectory, Dr. Córdova has distinguished himself in the clinical, academic, public health and health research fields. As a teacher he has achieved many graduate and post-graduate activities, has been chair at the Faculty of Medicine of Guanajuato where he was Dean from 1990 to 1997. Furthermore he was President of the Mexican Association of Faculties and Schools of Medicine (1995 to 1997) and President of the Mexican Association of Digestive Endoscopy (1994 to 1995).

During his professional development Dr. Córdova has participated in national and international forums presenting over 167 scientific productions, and he has been coauthor of 26. He has published 70 articles in national and international medical journals, and 17 chapters of medical books. He is editor of three medical books: "Endoscopic procedures in gastroenterology”, “General surgery for medical students” and “Text of General Surgery for Medical Students”.

Among many things he has been a medical practitioner, Medical Assistant Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute, a Citizen Adviser and President of the Electoral Institute´s General Council for the State of Guanajuato (1994-2002), and Federal Congressman of the LIX Legislature for the National Action Party (2003-2006) during which he was President of the Mexico-Poland Friendship Group, member of the Science and Technology Committee and President of the Health Committee. During the LIX Legislature he actively promoted health themes, presented 18 initiatives and 8 agreement points for which he was recognized by Mitofsky Consulting system as the Congressman who worked the most at commissions during this period. Dr. Córdova launched 15 medical dispensaries, negotiated over 200 million pesos for public clinics and hospitals in Guanajuato and promoted the allocation of resources to highly effective health interventions. He participated in President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa´s transition team and is currently the Federal Health Secretary for the 2006-2012 terms.

At the national level Dr. José Ángel Córdova Villalobos has received the Robins Prize which is granted each year to the best medicine student (1973, 1974 and 1975), “The Best Students of México” Prize (1975), the National Prize for Research from the Mexican Gastroenterology Association and the Robinson Bours Prize from FUNSALUD, among many others. He has also received many acknowledgements such as the “Golden Palms” medallion from the National Circle of Journalists, the “2005 Merit CANACINTRA Eagle” award which is one of the most important recognitions given by the private sector to the legislative body, and the Medical Merit medal from the Anahuac University in 2008. On May 27th 2009 the Mexican Academy of Surgery recognized him for the commitment he has shown in favor of Mexican’s health.

Likewise, he has received several awards such as the Government of Guanajuato for his academic career, by the National Academy of Medicine for his legislative record and the Secretariat of Health of Mexico for his legislative work.

At the international level he received the Afacimera Prize and the Order to the “Francisco Hernández” Merit in Medical Education in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On September 30th 2008 the California State Legislature recognized him as a “Binational Migrant Hero” for his dedication and commitment to better the Latin population´s health. Likewise on October 6th of the same year The World Health Organization through the Panamerican Health Organization recognized his labor in the National Vaccination Campaign against rubella and congenital rubella in Mexico.

He received the Award of the National Order of the Legion of Honor in grade of Knight by the French government in February 2010, the “more Mexico in the UN, and more UN in Mexico” award by the United Nations, the "Grand Cross Medal" from the Red Cross and the "Double Eagle Award 2010" from the Chamber of Commerce-Mexico for his outstanding career as a public official.