Monday, October 26, 2015

LUCOM partnership with Hope of Life International evolves, strengthens

Three months have passed since student-doctors, faculty and administrative staff from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) spent a week in Zacapa, Guatemala, helping the people of that region receive vital health care services. But the outreach effort, made possible through Hope of Life International (HOLI), did not end once the LUCOM team returned to Lynchburg.

LUCOM hosts Carlas VargasLUCOM hosted the founder of HOLI, Carlos Vargas, for its first time in August, although it was far from his first time at Liberty. He discussed LUCOM’s July outreach event in Zacapa.

“The feedback we got was excellent. People who had been sick for a long time, say they feel good now,” Vargas said in a presentation to students.

During his message, he also dropped a few hints about some major projects.

“The ones that went this year, I hope you come back again. And the ones who have never been, we need you. The hospital, by the time you go in July, it’s going to be better,” said Vargas.

LUCOM Dean Ronnie B. Martin, D.O., is officially unveiling three exciting goals that would continue to develop a long-term relationship with HOLI in support of the people of the Zacapa region: finishing and equipping St. Luke’s Hospital, constructing a community clinic and building permanent dorm space on the campus of HOLI.

“It is our intent to help HOLI finish out enough of St. Luke’s Hospital where it can become a community resource for the region, offering obstetrical care, primary surgical care, inpatient adult care and emergency medical care,” said Dr. Martin.

Dr. Martin says the vision also includes building and equipping an emergency room and two operating rooms at the site. His hope is to be able to bring in teams with surgeons and do procedures during outreach events. At some point in the future, Dr. Martin wants to place a full-time general surgeon at the site.

“We also hope in the next two years to begin construction on a clinic on the site that can provide care to pediatric and adult patients. It would serve as a teaching site for us in the years to come as well,” said Dr. Martin.

To support the clinic, Dr. Martin says there would be a need for dorm space for men and women who will visit the area to provide care.

“The dorm space would provide living quarters for a dozen of each at the site, with separate sleeping, bathroom facilities and shared kitchen/social areas. The dorm space would also help to house our teams during medical outreach events,” said Dr. Martin.

Of course, all of these new additions come with a price tag: about half a million dollars for the hospital additions, clinic and dorm, according to Dr. Martin. But not only will the investment pay off in the long run for the people of Zacapa, both current and future student-doctors at LUCOM will benefit from the consistent interaction with that community.

“This is so important to the maturation of LUCOM and the support of the hearts of our student-doctors. You do not maintain servants’ hearts and souls unless you provide food to feed them, and service to others in need provides much of that fuel,” said Dr. Martin. “God does not ask us to do easy things. He challenges us to do those that are hard, those that take commitment and often sacrifice. We are striving to do things for individuals who will never pay us back in earthly measures but things that will enrich us beyond measure in many ways.”

“When you go to another country, [you] pay to go, and [you] invest money in people you don’t know, that’s really love. That’s the love of the Good Samaritan,” said Vargas.

Hope of Life International was a part of the rescue and recovery operation in the village near Guatemala City that was devastated by a massive landslide October 1.  HOLI created a refuge center with beds, supplies and aid to help hundreds of people who were rescued or displaced. According to Vargas, there are plans to move at least 25 families to HOLI and build them homes.

Crews recovered approximately 275 bodies before the search was called off. Dozens of people remain missing.


Group prayer over Vargas.A group prayer was led over Vargas and the Hope of Life ministry.

LUCOM is scheduled to return to Zacapa, Guatemala, in spring and summer 2016.