f you’ve ever wondered who oversees the medical side of CPI’s cellular therapy program, meet Dr. Mariela Touché — Director of Cellular Therapy, physician, educator, and one of the most trusted voices at CPI.
In this episode of the CPI Stem Cells Podcast, CPI Co-Founder Scotty Nelson sits down with Dr. Mariela to talk about:
- Her unlikely journey to CPI
- The rapid evolution of stem cell treatments over the past decade
- Real patient stories that changed her life
- How CPI diagnoses conditions many patients never knew they had
- Where the future of regenerative medicine is heading
This is one of the most insightful conversations CPI has released — straight from one of the doctors who helped build the program from the ground up.
A One-Way Ticket That Changed Everything
Dr. Mariela didn’t join CPI through a traditional hiring process.
She found the clinic right after medical school, searching for a place that treated patients holistically — nutrition, lifestyle, emotional health, and medicine combined.
A friend, Dr. Mendez, told her he was working at CPI.
She bought a one-way ticket to Tijuana, showed up, and never left.
“I thought, if I get there and it works out — great. If not, I’ll figure it out. It ended up being destiny.”
From seeing cancer patients to joining the stem cell program to becoming Director of Cellular Therapy, her journey has been defined by learning, teamwork, and growth.
Ten Years of CPI: From a Small Clinic to a Full Medical Institute
When she started nearly 9 years ago, the facility was much smaller — older infrastructure, limited diagnostic capabilities, and a team still finding its rhythm.
Today, she’s watched it become:
- A modern cellular therapy center
- With in-house PhDs and scientists
- A fully rebuilt hospital
- New MRI, CT, and DEXA facilities
- A peptide laboratory
- Large-scale diagnostic capacity
- Specialized programs for cancer and stem cell treatment
Scotty jokes that CPI went from “an old Volkswagen bug to a Ferrari.”
Mariela agrees.
“The transformation has been amazing. Seeing the growth — for the team, the patients, and the science — has been incredible.”
Why Diagnostics Matter: Cancers, Tumors, and Silent Conditions
One of the most surprising parts of CPI’s evolution is how much they now find during patient evaluations.
Because CPI does full blood work, MRI imaging, CT scans (when needed), and comprehensive screening, they often uncover conditions patients had no idea existed.
Just recently, CPI diagnosed:
- Four brain tumors
- Several lung nodules
- Critical cardiovascular issues
- Dangerous blood pressure cases
- Serious infections
- Underlying autoimmune disorders
“It’s shocking, but it’s also a blessing. Early detection can save lives. It’s always better to find something early than too late.”
More than once, CPI has had to stop treatment and send patients home for immediate medical care.
Some get upset at first.
Then they come back with their families to say thank you for catching something that no one else did.
Five-Day Stem Cell Programs: Safety First
Scotty asks why CPI doesn’t do “in-and-out” same-day stem cell procedures like many U.S. clinics.
Mariela’s answer is simple:
- Stem cells change immune function
- They can activate inflammatory responses
- Some patients react differently
- Underlying issues must be ruled out
- Supervision is critical for safety
“Stem cells are not candy. You’re giving someone a therapy that resets their immune system. We want to be there the first 24–48 hours to keep patients safe.”
This is why CPI requires patients to stay for 5 days — not for convenience, but for patient safety and outcome quality.
Treating Humans, Not MRIs
One of the biggest things Dr. Mariela emphasizes is that every patient heals differently:
- Some feel amazing the next day
- Some don’t see major relief until month six or seven
- Some show dramatic MRI changes
- Others have minimal MRI change but total pain relief
“I treat the person — not the scan. Imaging is a tool. Your pain, mobility, and quality of life matter most.”
She’s seen thousands of cases now, and some have stayed with her forever.
Real Patient Transformations Mariela Will Never Forget
Here are a few stories Dr. Mariela shares in the podcast:
A man with severe neck damage
He had lost muscle, function, and mobility because the nerves weren’t firing.
After treatment, he came back with:
- Muscle regrowth
- Hand mobility restored
- A dramatic improvement in quality of life
A patient who arrived in a back brace
He could barely move.
At his return visit, he walked in without the brace — smiling.
A young father
He had crippling back pain.
His family returned later to say:
“He can lift his daughter again.”
It brought Mariela to tears.
A patient with Tourette’s
After treatment, his tics disappeared — something she’d never seen before.
A dementia case
A man returned months later:
- No longer needing thick glasses
- Driving again
- Back at work
- Cognitively sharper
A woman who couldn’t walk for two years
She returned at six months and said:
“I’m jogging.”
CPI told her: be careful — but they were thrilled.
Pain Changes People — Healing Changes Them Back
One unexpected benefit Mariela and Scotty both notice?
Personality changes.
Patients who arrive:
- Angry
- Withdrawn
- Short-fused
- Hopeless
- In constant pain
…often return months later as entirely different people.
Part of that is:
- Less pain
- Better sleep
- Improved mood
- NAD+ therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- More movement
- Less alcohol
- Better nutrition
“It’s not something we list on the consent form—but it might be one of the most meaningful outcomes.”
The Future of CPI: Genomics, Peptides, Multidisciplinary Care
Mariela is most excited about what’s next:
- Advanced genetic testing
- Nutrigenomics
- Pharmacogenomics
- Fully personalized peptide protocols
- A peptide manufacturing lab built with the scientist who holds the patents on the machines
- Faster MRI systems
- Full-body imaging capabilities
- New cancer treatment programs
- Even more collaboration between doctors and scientists
“We’re elevating everything we do. The diagnostic tools, the science, the personalization — it’s on another level.”
The goal?
To give patients a precise, individualized, data-driven strategy for healing.
“I enjoy working here because we leave the egos aside.”
Mariela says one of the reasons CPI works so well is the culture:
- Doctors collaborate
- Scientists collaborate
- Nurses collaborate
- Coordinators collaborate
- Leadership listens
- Everyone cares deeply about patients
If someone doesn’t fit that culture, they don’t stay.
CPI has become a place where:
- People grow
- Science grows
- The facility grows
- The patient results grow
It’s rare. And Mariela knows it.
“It’s been an amazing experience to be part of something that keeps transforming lives — including my own.”
Curious If Stem Cells at CPI Could Help You? Click HERE to Learn More