Hospital
Loma de Luz
Honduras, Central America
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Hospital Loma de Luz (HLZ) was founded by Dr. Jefferson C. McKenney and co-founder Rosanne Lillard McKenney under the Cornerstone Foundation in 1992. Located in Balfate, 37 miles east of La Ceiba, the hospital overlooks the Caribbean Sea. The foundation has developed extensive infrastructure, including staff housing, kitchens, warehouses, and more. The hospital's mission is to provide holistic healthcare and support community development in Honduras.Hospital Loma de Luz is a full-service, 50-bed hospital providing 24-hour medical care, including outpatient consultations, inpatient services, general surgery, obstetrics, and ophthalmology. The hospital serves a largely rural and impoverished population, offering medical care to those with limited access to healthcare. Monthly, the hospital conducts approximately 1,000 outpatient consultations.
Technology & Capacity:
HLZ is equipped with essential medical technology such as ultrasound machines, X-ray units, a clinical laboratory, and a pharmacy. The facility includes modern surgical theaters and offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. The hospital's infrastructure supports its goal of delivering high-quality medical care in a resource-limited setting.
Church and Governance:
Hospital Loma de Luz is operated by the Cornerstone Foundation, a non-profit organization that emphasizes health, education, and spiritual well-being. The hospital works in cooperation with Honduran authorities and various local and international partners to fulfill its mission.
Training Opportunities:
HLZ welcomes healthcare professional students to participate in its activities, offering roles and responsibilities proportionate to their skills under full supervision. The hospital provides a unique opportunity to observe the influence of local culture, behavior, and economy on physical health. Volunteers and students must have intermediate to fluent Spanish proficiency to function independently.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Family Physicians
General Surgeons
Obstetricians
Ophthalmologists
Nurses
Laboratory Technicians
Physical Therapists
Language:
Spanish is the official language in Honduras, and proficiency in Spanish is essential for medical personnel as interpreters are not always available.
Housing & Food:
Visitors are housed in modern dormitory-style accommodations with individual bedrooms, bathrooms, and a common kitchen area. Studio apartments are also available. Guests are responsible for preparing their own meals, though they may be invited to join missionary families or visiting work teams. Filtered and potable water is available throughout the compound.
Travel:
Travelers typically fly into Roatan and either take a ferry or a short in-country flight to La Ceiba, followed by a drive to the hospital. The hospital staff can assist with travel arrangements and recommend accommodations if an overnight stay in La Ceiba is necessary. Visitors must ensure they have valid travel documentation and be prepared for rough road conditions during the final leg of their journey.
Time Difference:
-2 hours daylight saving time, -1 hour Eastern Standard Time. Honduras is in the Central Time Zone but does not observe daylight saving time.
People and Local Religion:
The population served by HLZ includes various indigenous groups such as the Miskito, Xicaques, and Torrupan. Although 95% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, many have limited knowledge of their faith's basic tenets.
Climate:
Honduras experiences a hot and humid tropical climate, with the coolest months being March and April. The rainy season runs from November through February, while June through September are the hottest months. A light jacket is recommended for evenings and higher elevations.
Unique Challenges:
The hospital addresses a range of health issues, including malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, pneumonia, dysentery, fractures, gunshot wounds, intestinal parasites, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, malnutrition, pregnancy-related concerns, and a growing HIV crisis. Public health initiatives focus on improving water supply, roads, bridges, literacy, and home healthcare.
Evangelism Opportunities:
HLZ integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, promoting Christian values and offering evangelistic opportunities to all patients. The hospital welcomes long-term and short-term volunteers, encouraging financial and prayer support to sustain its mission.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit Cornerstone Foundation.