Coordinator at Vertical, Leadership Expeditions Guide

Sebastián is an orthopedic surgeon, expedition doctor, and outdoor leader who combines more than two decades of experience in medicine, leadership, and high-altitude mountaineering. He currently serves as Head of the Department of Orthopedics at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he leads multidisciplinary teams in one of the country’s most respected academic medical institutions.

As part of Leadership Expeditions and Vertical’s experiential learning programs, Sebastián brings a unique perspective shaped by both expedition environments and the demands of modern healthcare. His work focuses on leadership under pressure, decision-making in uncertain environments, team performance, and the development of resilient organizational cultures.

Sebastián discovered mountaineering while studying medicine, and the mountains quickly became an important complement to his professional career. Over the years, he has participated in numerous expeditions throughout the Chilean Andes and Patagonia, many conducted under challenging winter conditions where preparation, teamwork, and sound judgment are critical to success.

His mountaineering experience includes ascents of Aconcagua, Mount Everest (2012), and Mount Lhotse (2006), the fourth-highest mountain in the world. He also participated in the first Chilean expedition to Paine Grande in 2011, further expanding his experience in some of South America’s most demanding mountain environments.

In addition to his clinical practice and expedition work, Sebastián is an Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) instructor and has taught numerous courses focused on wilderness medicine, risk management, emergency response, and accident prevention. Through these programs, he has helped train outdoor professionals, guides, and expedition leaders in the principles of effective decision-making and safety in remote environments.

Whether leading a medical department, caring for patients in challenging settings, or participating in high-altitude expeditions, Sebastián is recognized for his calm leadership style, commitment to teamwork, and ability to perform effectively in complex and uncertain situations. His career demonstrates how the lessons learned in both medicine and the mountains can help individuals and organizations achieve excellence under pressure.