Hospital Misión Tarahumara
Samachique
Mexico, North America
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Hospital Misión Tarahumara was established by Dr. Michael and Maci Berkeley under the auspices of Mexico Medical Missions, a nondenominational Christian organization founded in 1988. Initially starting with a crippled children's clinic in the city of Chihuahua, the Berkeleys shifted their focus in 1998 to serve the Tarahumara Indians in the Sierra Madre Mountains. With support from an Amish group, the hospital's construction began in 1999 and was completed in 2000. Located in Samachique, Chihuahua, the hospital is situated at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Today, Hospital Misión Tarahumara is a 25-bed facility providing comprehensive medical services, including outpatient care, dental services, a pharmacy, an X-ray suite, pediatric and adult wards, a birth center, an emergency room, and a modern surgical area. Each year, the hospital treats an estimated 10,000 patients, delivers 100 infants, and performs 300 operations. The hospital also runs an active Community Health Evangelism (CHE) program that delivers healthcare and agricultural assistance to remote communities while sharing the Gospel.
Technology & Capacity:
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Church and Governance:
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Training Opportunities:
Hospital Misión Tarahumara provides various training opportunities for healthcare professionals and volunteers. The hospital encourages participation in its activities, offering roles and responsibilities tailored to the skills and experience of each volunteer. The training programs are designed to build local capacity and ensure sustainable healthcare solutions in the region.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Registered Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians (all specialties)
Physician’s Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Pharmacy Technicians
Laboratory Technicians
Language:
Spanish is the official language of Mexico, but many residents in the Sierra Madre region speak the Tarahumara dialect. Volunteers are expected to have intermediate to fluent proficiency in Spanish to communicate effectively with patients and staff.
Housing & Food:
Volunteers are housed on the hospital compound, with various accommodations available, including houses, duplexes, apartments, and dormitories. Housing assignments depend on whether volunteers are traveling alone, with a family, or in a group. Lunch is provided on weekdays in the hospital dining room, while volunteers are responsible for their own breakfasts, dinners, and weekend meals. Arrangements can be made for meal preparation at an additional cost.
Travel:
Visitors typically travel to Samachique, Chihuahua, which is situated in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The hospital can assist with travel arrangements and provide detailed information on reaching the hospital from major cities. The journey often includes traveling through rugged mountain terrain.
Time Difference:
-1 hour Eastern Standard Time (EST). Mexico follows Central Standard Time but does not observe daylight saving time.
People and Local Religion:
The Tarahumara people, who predominantly practice animism, make up a significant portion of the population served by the hospital. The region is characterized by traditional beliefs and practices, with limited exposure to formal religious teachings.
Climate:
The hospital is located in a mountainous region with a climate that varies significantly by season. Summers are marked by the rainy season with temperatures reaching up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are dry and cooler, with temperatures ranging from morning frost to around 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Unique Challenges:
Hospital Misión Tarahumara addresses a wide range of health issues prevalent in the region, including maternal and infant mortality, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and chronic conditions. The hospital's comprehensive healthcare model includes both preventative and therapeutic measures, with a strong focus on community health and education.
Evangelism Opportunities:
The hospital integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, ensuring that every patient hears the Gospel. The hospital hosts both long-term and short-term mission trips, inviting healthcare professionals and volunteers to participate in its mission of bringing health, hope, and healing to the people of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit Mexico Medical Missions.