WHO ARE WE?
Physician assistant students and licensed clinicians from Central Florida have been traveling to the region of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala for the past 6 years to provide medical support and health care to members of a unique indigenous community called the Poqomchi. During the first semester of the 2014 school year, PA students at a Florida-based program began seeking ways to give back to the global health community. After a year of planning, the first class of students traveled with one professor, one preceptor, and 20 students to participate in their first mission trip in conjunction with AVIS/Living to Serve. Having spent only a week in the country, we knew it would be a place we'd never forget. We were captivated by the people, the generosity, and the gratitude. In the years that followed, we continued coming each August to serve with larger groups and more experience and diversity among the team. In 2019, we brought 31 students and 15 licensed clinicians. This past June, we formed our own non-profit in order to provide access to more sustainable healthcare year-round through various initiatives. The main project is currently the construction of a multi-specialty medical and surgical clinic in this region that will provide low-cost and free care to the patients will already treat each year. Our organization is called Hands of Esperanza, which literally means "hands of hope." Beyond medicine and health education, we aim to provide the people that we serve with hope; hope for a better tomorrow.
The patient population in this region includes descendants from a Mayan culture called the Poqomchi'. They live in remote villages spread out among the mountain ranges here that require hiking to and from their communities each day in order to reach them to set up rural clinics annually. Otherwise, they have limited access to basic medical care. Our group is able to see and treat approximately 500 patients in just one week. Patients range in age from newborn to geriatric. We are committed to implementing sustainable projects aside from our annual mission trip, including our newest project to build a multi-specialty medical and surgical clinic to support this patient population throughout the year.
WHO DO WE SERVE?
WHAT DOES OUR TEAM LOOK LIKE?
PHYSICIAN ASST. STUDENTS
Each year physician assistant students who have completed their 15-month didactic semester provide care to approximately 500 Guatemalan patients in rural communities under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Fundraising efforts and the annual Shark Stride 5K are all student-driven in the year leading up to the annual mission trip. This is a unique experience for these students to first practice medicine after months of studying and training to become medical practitioners.
PROFESSIONAL CLINICIANS
A group of licensed clinicians in a variety of specialties provide supervision and oversight to the PA students as they treat this underserved and vulnerable patient population. Our clinician group consists of physician assistants, pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, paramedics, nurses, and dentists. We are always looking for volunteers in any specialty, please fill out the "Contact" box below for more information if you are interested in joining us or starting your own mission trip!
LOCAL GUATEMALANS
We are fortunate to partner with some amazing local Guatemalans that support our organization and clinic efforts. Not only are they spearheading the clinic construction initiative, but they provide us with the means to organize patients in the areas that we provide rural clinics to annually. They also provide translators for both Spanish and Poqomchi', a challenging part of practicing medicine in this area. It is important to incorporate local organizations in order to build relationships and foster trust among the communities we are treating. Click on "The Team" link for more information.
![[Feature Friday] As the Surgical Center closes in on accepting its first patient we want to feature a man who lives to serve with compassion, generosity, and heart for others, Rudy Gonzalez. He is not only giving and selfless, but a truly beautiful human being whose kindness inspires everyone around him. The world is truly a better place because of people like Rudy — a living example of what it means to serve with purpose and love. Rudy you uplift us all. @livingtoserve_avis @a.gonzalezrudy](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/551391434_2683692985309225_3616035698239013704_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=enAQ2oOzeBsQ7kNvwHO5di4&_nc_oc=Adl369SwIdPg8H7XV_1UWh5pUKUj1V2KcNVON0yW9m3_8xWg0lBiRxWfIeI8Ji9AFSQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=xfgH3j4ZfbxlpAp5VAku1Q&oh=00_AfegqNTdqyYu-vLlvRVnG-ELQDorxseVyWIvseZrVe0B0Q&oe=69087A45)
![[Feature Friday]
We have had the honor of having Dan as a preceptor the past two years. He found us on Google! Working with Dan, you can tell his compassion and care for his patients have not wavered one bit even after 49 years of practicing as a PA. You could hear all the little tidbits of knowledge he was giving students. This is Dan!
[Dan Mussen, PA
graduate: Albany PA Program
class of: 1976
I’ve been a PA for 49 years, and I’ve provided care in a multitude of settings and disciplines, but I’ve especially enjoyed my time in community based family medicine. Seeing all age groups, being challenged by the rigors of providing acute and chronic care, and incorporating family dynamics into that care makes this field the embodiment of a PA’s full education and training.
Joining medical missions tempted me for several years, and I was fortunate to find Hands of Esperanza in my online search. Stepping into the “boots on the ground” HoE mission (supported by Avis Living to Serve), encompasses the best of what PAs hope to achieve. As a preceptor I was respected and appreciated, and as a provider the villager’s gratitude was overwhelming. I joined this well organized mission as a means of giving back, but my chief sentiment after each one has been that I received so much more than I gave.
My favorite part of each HoE mission is the camaraderie that develops within the group of students, translators, organizers, drivers, and preceptors. It does help to speak some Spanish but knowing none, I was very comfortable communicating with everyone. We all worked as a team to provide the best care possible in these somewhat remote settings. And the food in the safe, walled compound is delicious!
One leaves this mission knowing we’ve left behind a better life for many, including the medical care, health education, medications, efficient stoves, and water purification systems. But the sentiment one leaves this mission with is a deep gratitude for the whole experience.]](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/544815999_18122884831491068_2677841764958035064_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=igsarSPceQkQ7kNvwEIi5Pw&_nc_oc=AdnplS-4sCoaUtGE8knI4qputz6iOp4T3IqESq4b4c16aw0Szoey2lTHKtl7-Cs__qk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=xfgH3j4ZfbxlpAp5VAku1Q&oh=00_Afc-dHowPY6r1OFrcHW48A6MCIYYLAsQhzapuIcFcpVXsA&oe=69084A7E)
![[Feature Friday]
Today we’d like to feature a former/current translator (when he’s available 😊) Christopher Ramírez! Chris is always a big ball of energy and great vibes whenever he comes and helps us with translating. It’s always a joy to have Chris whenever he’s able to come and helps us. An exceptional athlete, man of culture, a man of god, and a man of his community, @chrisramirez7 .
What is your favorite part of interpreting?
I enjoy not only the pleasure and satisfaction of helping people. I also enjoy the privilege and the challenge of bridging the gap between different cultures. It’s a beautiful position to be in.
What was your favorite part of working with hands of Esperanza?
I enjoyed the energy, passion and love that the people of Hands of Esperanza expressed the whole time they were serving in guatemala. I also loved that they honored my sister’s memory.
What do you do in your free time to maintain a healthy work/life balance?
My hobbies include soccer, fitness, and being involved with different projects in the community.](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/523704797_18118347043491068_1860506905877038282_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=td89iRP6LkgQ7kNvwHum0KI&_nc_oc=Adn3EQZfj7-hY1LX2wd1hJCNcfA30ps_yz24Nr8xan7BJ4PzAgv4CPCA3Fcdo1jfKzE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=xfgH3j4ZfbxlpAp5VAku1Q&oh=00_AfeXDia2rNESO9ApusF6hCxMs7HAaZn5qWJE4Q9eUxLigQ&oe=69084CCD)
![[Feature Friday]
Today we’d like to feature Frank who has selflessly worked with @a.gonzalezrudy and @livingtoserve_avis for many years providing spiritual and community service in San Cristobal, Alta Verapaz. Frank is an all around amazing human being and we’re excited for his future role in the success of the surgical center!
#perhapsyouneedalittleguatemala #nonprofit #501c3](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/519038490_1041458871390193_4258815344756426053_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=-OSi8Vq-lgUQ7kNvwFBU144&_nc_oc=AdnGZWx574BKxz7YZfqTAJT6z_xMKjxpe_pzptzn7AjLqXXgnQCL4mxsTlhNWF9K9DQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=xfgH3j4ZfbxlpAp5VAku1Q&oh=00_Afd2WQxcbT24vME-JTCC_pW0tdZKKw1PJ492gmTVGgad0Q&oe=69087BA5)
![[FEATURE FRIDAY]
Today we’re featuring a former translator from 2022! Our clinics would not be possible without our translators! @lbsenglishacademy @lbs.christianschool
[My name is Nathy Román!
and I attended on 2022
I learned interpretation at my school Liceo Bilingüe del Sur, I have been studying at that school since 2020 and last year they gave me the opportunity to start this amazing experience that is interpretation.
What I enjoy the most about interpreting is that each time it is a new and different experience, I feel that as a student, interpreting helps me discover new words and new ways of expressing myself, which I really enjoy because English for me is more than a language, learning English is a passion for me.
I have had many interpretation trips, but I will never get tired of saying that the trip with Hands Of Esperanza was my favorite one. There are so many amazing things that I could mention, but one of my favorite things was that they made me feel comfortable, I didn’t feel out of place because I was a student or that kind of stuff. I was able to enjoy long trips and had wonderful experiences. Being given the opportunity to get to know such remote communities was impressive, and it increased my desire to dedicate myself to continue helping the development of these places in the future.
Definitely one of my favorite hobbies to maintain a good balance between learning and fun is watching series and listening to music, because although it is something that I enjoy in itself, I think they are two important things that help me never stop learn, with each new song or each new episode I learn things and words that I didn’t know, and that’s amazing!]](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/516082397_18116395372491068_214790207714590627_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=YfXlEra0BN8Q7kNvwGCKkWH&_nc_oc=AdmUwNT3Z6kx7sSaHEoj4VIf8vVdyd_6Kaig5ANMfAlbEGH15byPS1ytojRNON7e2dU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=xfgH3j4ZfbxlpAp5VAku1Q&oh=00_AfdacpM8DSdwfH8bWjQy4uwrl-46y_2Ti75LQGwJ-bYO9Q&oe=69086B10)
![[FEATURE FRIDAY]
Today we’d like to highlight an AVIS team member, Armenia! AVIS is mostly comprised of locals who sacrifice their own time and energy to better their surrounding communities through education, service, and so much more! These are the same selfless and passionate people who will be operating the surgical center year round! AVIS has been an integral part of Hands of Esperanza since the beginning. Without AVIS there would be no Hands of Esperanza.
#perhapsyouneedalittleguatemala #guate #guategram #nonprofitsrock](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/513478764_633414883080606_5866016221337774248_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=EWFfFAGlg0gQ7kNvwGhEYrs&_nc_oc=AdknIA8ws_YgodEt7GS0emb0s4WxogVkspETNlljbQFy4QZ_iU3Axw90wMIxHVfwJ3U&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=xfgH3j4ZfbxlpAp5VAku1Q&oh=00_Afdkq-6fz_NvpQIrUJ2roAKz-K4hy9PfpfmNc6FtAhCyvA&oe=69087B22)
EST. 2014
PA students from Nova Southeastern University started looking for ways to serve the global health community. Years later, we continue to prepare students to return to Guatemala as we are building a clinic to provide more sustainable healthcare.
