Expanding the Vision: Development and Change in Medical Care in Guatemala

On August 1, 2022, Expanding the Vision began construction to enhance the Hospitalito’s capabilities through the creation of a blood bank, four consultation/procedure rooms, and classrooms for a new nursing school. We are excited to share this February 2023 video showing the campaign’s progress!

Campaign Goal: U$500,000

About the Campaign

During the past 17 years, Hospitalito Atitlán (HA) has transformed healthcare for 75,000 Maya in the highlands of Guatemala. Before HA, community residents had to go to the departmental capital of Sololá to get medical care. Pregnant women died during childbirth because they had to travel across Lake Atitlán for medical assistance. Today, obstetric deaths are rare. People in Santiago Atitlán and environs benefit not only from care at the Hospitalito, but also from outreach programs in more rural areas.

Hospitalito has come a long way. Yet there is so much more we can and should do to better serve the Maya people. We ask that you partner with us, help us continue to grow and deliver the precious gift of life to a population long neglected and deprived of medical care. Every donation will be gratefully welcomed, wisely invested and deeply appreciated.

Expanding the Vision will enhance services through the construction of a 2,443 square foot, two-story annex. It will provide urgently needed space to complete laboratory services with a blood bank, add four new consultation rooms, and create classrooms for a new nursing school. Currently, there is no accredited nursing school in the department of Sololá. The teaching space will meet government requirements, promoting the decentralization of university, social, and medical centers and improving development in Guatemala to combat discrimination and poverty.

Crowdfunding video to share.

Areas to be Constructed

Blood Bank ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..U$250,000

HA’s capabilities and services have been slowed by the lack of a blood bank. The unavailability of blood hampers surgical services, limiting the types of operations performed.

Donate to the Blood Bank

Four New Consultation Rooms ………………………………………………………………………………….. U$150,000

The addition of patient consultation/procedure rooms will not only allow the Hospitalito to meet changing clinical needs, but also provide space for physical therapy, psychology, nutrition, and diabetes consultations. In addition, the rooms will be used by volunteer medical specialists and surgical teams, allowing the Hospitalito to expand the range of specialties and services offered.

Donate to Expanding the Vision

Nursing School Classrooms …………………………………………………………………………………………U$100,000

Starting in 2023, the Hospitalito will be taking advantage of its facilities and staff to establish the first accredited auxiliary nursing school in the department of Sololá. The program will increase the number of nurses who speak Maya languages in Sololá, further improving healthcare to the community.

Donate to the School for Practical Nursing

Naming Rights: We offer you the opportunity to name the blood bank, consultation rooms, or nursing school classrooms in honor or memory of a loved one. Please email for more information.

Read the full Capital Campaign (with floor plans)

Groundbreaking – August 1st, 2022

Donate

Donate by PayPal below

All donations are tax deductible through our U.S. nonprofit partner, Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán (AHA has no paid staff or overhead expenses.)

Check Donations
Make checks out to Amigos Hospitalito Atitlan and mail to:
Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán
2220 Shallow Well Rd
Manakin, VA 23103

Construction site on October 25th, 2022

Campaign Leadership

Kevin Bjork, MD Minnesota Atitlán Surgical Team Trustee Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán

Kent Bream, MD Associate Professor Family Medicine University of Pennsylvania

Jennifer Pothoven Dougherty Nurse Practitioner-Pediatrics

Lyn Dickey Director of Development, Hospitalito Atitlán Vice-Chair Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán

Robert Finnegan Financial Advisor Trustee Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán

Jacob Glanville, PhD CEO Centivax Owner Posada de Santiago Restaurant Trustee Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán

Kevin Maly Regional Sales Nova Biomedical

Cara McGuiness, MS Instructor Ob/Gyn Boston University School of Medicine

Bonnie O’Neill Past Chair Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán, Philanthropy Professional

Andrew Smith, MD  Director of Obstetrics, Lawrence MA School of Medicine Chair Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán

Susan Spencer  Retired School Superintendent in California Homeowner in Santiago Atitlán Trustee Amigos Hospitalito Atitlán

Thank you. ¡Gracias! Miltiox!

Hospitalito Atitlán has been able to transform healthcare in the Santiago Atitlán community thanks to our many generous donors. It has come a long way, but there’s so much more that needs to be done.

Please join us in delivering the precious gift of life to a population long neglected and deprived of medical care. Help Hospitalito Atitlán to expand its capabilities and services.

Your donations will be gratefully welcomed, wisely invested, and deeply appreciated.