On Doctor’s Day, We Honor the Manos Amigas Doctors
Today, we honor the three physicians who work every day at the Manos Amigas clinic as well as the many physicians who have volunteered on brigades. For the physicians at the clinic, this past year has been especially challenging. They continued to provide care to patients through the COVID-19 pandemic and provided medical care in villages and community centers following two devastating hurricanes that swept through Honduras in November 2020. Meet our heroes!
Dr. Luis Contreras came to Manos Amigas in 2017 and provides primary care for patients at the clinic. He also works with brigades, assisting in the Operating Room. Dr. Contreras says, “Without Manos Amigas it would be very difficult for the people. There are only two options in the country: public clinics that are overcrowded and have no medicine, and private clinics that are very expensive. If we didn’t have the clinic, we would have serious problems and many complications.”
Dr. Luis Contreras
“I studied for my career at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras in San Pedro Sula (UNAH-VS). I did my rotating internship at the Hospital de Occidente and my social service at a health center in Cucuyagua.
I am the first of two children. My parents are from La Entrada Copan and have been hard-working people all their lives. I am married and have a 1 year-old son and a girl who is on the way. In addition to my career, I am passionate about technology and the way it changes the world, and also the art of Bonsai.”
Dra. Claudia Guzman joined the Manos Amigas staff in 2018 and provides primary care to patients at the clinic. She also helps with surgical brigades, providing post-operative care and translation services. Claudia heard about Manos Amigas when she came to the area to do her year of social service. She said, “Everyone in the area talked about Manos Amigas. Coming here was an opportunity to gain more experience. I knew that in this clinic I would have more opportunities to practice medicine. Here at Manos Amigas, I am part of the solution for the people’s health problems.”
Dra. Claudia Guzman
“I was born and raised in Tegucigalpa. and graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH) medical school in Tegucigalpa. I did my rotating internship at the Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital in San Pedro Sula and went (against my will) to El Cedral, Nueva Arcadia, Copán for my year of social service. I got to know Copán better and now I don't want to leave.
I like reading, music, traveling, art, and getting to know other cultures. However, so far that has been only within the country. We hope that will change soon. I like to practice my career, but I like to serve more and thank God I can do it at Manos Amigas.”
Dr. Santiago Sabillon manages the health guardian program for Summit in Honduras, a nonprofit we partner with. Santiago works part-time at Manos Amigas whenever there is a need for an extra physician. He is part of the team that goes out on calls with the ambulance and also serves as a translator for brigades. Santiago noticed a difference at the Manos Amgias clinic: “Whenever you come to the clinic, you can see the difference as you enter the first door. The way they treat people is different, the way people expect to be treated is different, and the way people give you thanks for what you did for them. It makes you want to wake up every day and come to work just to help people get better.”
Dr. Santiago Sabillon
“I was born in Santa Barbara, but grew up in San Pedro Sula. My medical training was at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras at both the San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa campuses. I did my internship at the Mario Catarino Hospital Rivas de San Pedro Sula and the Hospital Regional de Occidente in Santa Rosa de Copan. My social service was in El Cedral, Nueva Arcadia, Copan where I was discovered by Summit in Honduras and Manos Amigas during one of their brigades.
I am married to Dra. Claudia Guzman. We share our beautiful home with two dogs, Cafe and Coco. I like music, reading, and traveling, as well as meeting new people, new cultures, and new gastronomy.”
