Clinica
Esperanza
Honduras, Central America
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Clinica Esperanza was founded by Peggy Stranges, RN, in 2001 to address the lack of quality healthcare on the island of Roatan, off the coast of Honduras. Recognizing the high disparity of access to healthcare professionals in low and middle-income countries, Peggy committed to bringing comprehensive healthcare services to this isolated community. Initially operating from her kitchen table, the clinic has grown significantly over the years, now serving over 100,000 people on the island and beyond, Today, Clinica Esperanza is a well-established healthcare facility providing a wide range of services to over 25,000 patients annually. The clinic offers urgent and acute care, chronic disease management, and specialty services including diabetic counseling, which has gained national recognition. The clinic operates two full-time, air-conditioned operating rooms equipped for telemedicine, enhancing its teaching capabilities. Services include general surgery, OB/GYN, orthopedics, urology, otolaryngology, and cardiology.
Technology & Capacity:
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Church and Governance:
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Training Opportunities:
The clinic offers extensive training opportunities for medical professionals, including medical students and residents. Staff members often serve as faculty in established training programs and residencies, contributing to the development of the next generation of health professionals.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Family Practice
Nurse Practitioner
Internal Medicine
Ultrasound Technician
Physical Therapist
Surgeons
Anesthesiologist
Pharmacy Tech
Dental Hygienist
Dental Assistant
Social Media/Office Assistant (Spanish speaking highly recommended)
Maintenance
Biomedical Engineer
Language:
The national language is Spanish, though most native islanders speak English. Volunteers proficient in Spanish are highly valued.
Housing & Food:
The Refuge provides volunteer housing with clean linens at a cost of $95 per night, including three meals per day. This fee also supports a Haitian liaison to assist teams. The clinic also offers long-term housing options for volunteers staying one month or longer.
Travel:
Roatan is accessible by plane and ferry. Direct flights to the island can be expensive, so it is often cheaper to fly into San Pedro Sula and take a local flight to Roatan. The Galaxy Wave ferry also runs between La Ceiba and Roatan. Visitors are issued a visa upon arrival in Honduras. It is recommended to follow CDC advice for vaccines and malaria prophylactics.
Time Difference:
Honduras operates on Central Standard Time (CST), which is UTC-6.
People and Local Religion:
The majority of the population served by Clinica Esperanza are native islanders and residents from the mainland. Christianity is the predominant religion, with a mix of other traditional beliefs.
Climate:
Roatan has a tropical climate with temperatures typically in the mid to upper 80s during the day and slightly cooler at night. The rainy season from October to February can bring cooler temperatures.
Unique Challenges:
Common health issues include infectious diseases, chronic conditions such as diabetes, and urgent care needs. The clinic also faces challenges in providing continuous care for chronic conditions and facilitating transfers for complex cases that require more advanced medical facilities.
Evangelism Opportunities:
Clinica Esperanza integrates spiritual care into its medical services, ensuring that every patient has the opportunity to receive both physical and spiritual healing. The clinic hosts medical mission trips and other volunteer opportunities, welcoming individuals and teams to serve the community and support its mission.
For further details, visit the Clinica Esperanza website.