Dr, Juan Manuel Chuc Ajanel – received his medical degree as a scholarship recipient at the University of San Carlos. He worked at the National Hospital in Sololá, before he moved to Santiago Atitlán and became a staff physician at the Clinica Santiaguito in Panabaj. In 2003, He was eager to help when asked to join the as a founding member of Asociación K’aslimaal, which formed to renovate and reopen the abandoned hospital in Panabaj. Dr. Chuc has served as President of the local search and rescue company, is an avid soccer player, and devoted to his family, his wife Thelma, and his children Maria Andrea and Juan Manuelito. In January 2008, he became Medical Director of HA. He is a well respected physician, has strong leadership skills, and has a great sense of humor.

Dra. Susana Pajoc Gonzalez – completed her medical training at the University of San Carlos medical school in 2006. She worked for the Guatemalan Pediatric Foundation before she started at the Hospitalito where she serves as Chief of Staff.

Dr. Lionel Sosa Vasquez – completed medical school at USAC in 2000. For three years he worked for SIAS, an arm of the Health Department, traveling by motorcycle to treat patients in rural areas. Dr. Lionel worked five years at the clinic in the Catholic Church in San Francisco el Alto in Totonicapán. He started at HA in March 2008. He is married with two children.

José Reanda Sojuel - received his certification in public accounting in Quetzaltenango and continued his education in Guatemala City where he graduated from the University of Mariano Galvez in 2007. He taught bookkeeping and auditing, worked for SIAS, an arm of the Health Department, and for a firm of Auditors and Accountants. In 2005, he began volunteering for Hospitalito Atitlán and in January 2006, became the Administrator. José recently completed a course of study in the management of Human Resources. He is locally famous as a national soccer hero and plays the piano well. He and his wife Ana have two sons, Diego 15 and Jonathan 8.

Rebeca Petzey Cua - earned her accounting certification before she studied in Quetzaltenengo where she earned a certificate in secretarial work. She worked in general accounting for six years at the grade school Colegio Alfa y Omega before she came to work in 2008 as Administrative Assistant at HA. Rebeca has three sons.

Vicenta “Chenta” Chavajay – was a supervisor at Friendship Bridge a micro-loan project for women for six years. On weekends she attended the University Rafael Landivar in Quetzaltenango and completed a degree in Social Work in 2006. In May 2008, she joined the Hospitalito. She is from San Pedro la Laguna, where Tz’utujil is also spoken and travels by boat to and from work.

Cristobal Ramirez Quiejú – received his teaching certificate after high school and when he didn’t get a teaching job applied at HA to work as part of custodial staff in 2006. His intelligence and talents were immediately recognized when the new X-ray machine arrived and he took to it like a pro. Cristobal was transferred to work in the lab, and began traveling to Panajachel to complete a course at Atiitlab. When the new lab equipment was received, he read the manuals and learned to complete the tests. He received a HA scholarship to study at University Galileo to complete a degree in lab technician. Everyone enjoys Cristobal’s musical talents at parties; he plays guitar, piano, violin and harmonica.

Rosalia Ajcabul Ixbalam – received her accounting degree in 2006. She volunteered for three months at HA and was hired to work in the pharmacy. She received her training from Dra. Leah, Dr. Chuc and at the National Hospital in Sololá.

Antonio ‘Tono” Chichom Ramirez – studied to be an accountant. In 2006, he stated work at HA to work as Central Supply. Recently, as a HA scholarship recipient from “Sharing the Dream”, he completed a course on Inventory management at the University Rafael Landivar. Tono is married to Andrea, and they have a daughter Valentina Delores Ramirez Yataz. They are expecting a second child in June.

Nyla Esquina Sojuel – completed her secretarial degree in 1999 and went to work in City Hall in Santiago Atitlán. In 2007, she became HA’s receptionist and is in charge of medical records. Nyla likes to read, embroider and play with her dog Doofy.

Felipa Archila Julajú is from San Lucas Tolimán. After completing a course as an auxiliary nurse in 2000, she worked for two years for the Catholic Clinic in San Lucas. Then for three years at the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging where she was in charge of preventive health for the children. Felipa started with HA on the first of April 2005 and is our Chief of Nursing. Felipa is married with one son, Daniel.

Jacinto Garcia Chipir – received his nursing certificate in 2002. He worked for three years at Hospital Morazon in the capitol, where he learned to be a surgical nurse. He joined the HA staff the first day in April 2005. His home is in San Pedro la Laguna. He is married to Maria Dolores and they have a small daughter Lucy Johanna. He loves his role at Hospitalito, because he likes caring for patients and working in the operating room.

Pedro Sosof Culán – completed his studies as an auxiliary nurse in 2006 and volunteered for the Hospitalito. He was hired and is most interested in working in the operating room. Additionally, Pedro has the additional talent of creating beautiful pens that he personalized by weaving a person’s name in thread.

Florentina Coz Castro – Flory is from San Lucas Tolimán and received certification as an auxiliary nurse in 2005.

Andrea Quiejú Coché – an auxiliary nurse who completed her course at the New Jerusalem School in Santiago Atitlán, she worked in SA for the Health Department as a health promoter from 2004 to 2006. She likes her work at HA because she is gaining a lot of experience, and she is able to educate the patients how to care for their health.

Felipa Pospoy Pablo – a nurse who completed her auxiliary nursing studies at the New Jerusalem School in Santiago Atitlán. Felipa did her community work at the Health Department in Cerro de Oro and worked for six months at the National Hospital in Sololá. She likes most working in the Emergency room, attending births and caring for the newborns. Felipa is single and has two brothers.

Fredy Lacán Chiquival– started work in 2005, before Hospitalito Atitlán was open. He worked with the electrician rewire the old hospital in Panabaj. He continued working in the renovation and applied for a job on the custodial staff. He has also developed a talent for taking X-rays at night and on weekends when Cristobal is unavailable. Fredy has four children, ages seven to 20. His oldest son, Israel Josué often fills in when other staff is on vacation.

Rigoberto Ramirez Borón – Rigo started working at the old HA in Panabaj in April 2005 as part of the custodial staff. He was on duty the night of the devastating mudslide. He and his wife Concepción have two sons, Cristobal 14 and Gaspar 10. When asked what he likes best about his job, at RIgo said that everything is organized, he gets along well with the people he works with and that the patients leave happy.

Antonio Mendoza Quiejú – “Tono” started working at HA in 2006 as part of custodial staff, or as “guardian”. He takes 24-hour shifts that include maintenance, cleaning, errands, banking and taking an occasional X-ray. He is the father of two boys 5 and 10 and a three year old daughter. Tono enjoys the variety of his job.

Concepción Damian Ixbalám – completed nursing school in 2005 at the School of Light and Life in Sololá, and received a degree in science and letters in Panajachel in 2007. Currently she is working towards her nursing degree at the University of Rafeal Landivar in Escuintla. She likes caring for the patients and the trainings she receives from the staff and medical volunteers.

Marabel Velasquez Tiney – recently started working in housekeeping. Maradel is responsible for the demanding job of getting the laundry clean and keeping a good supply of surgical scrubs, patient gowns and sheets available. She is a single mother with a four-year old daughter Zulamita.