Newswise — For 30 years, the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) in Santiago, Dominican Republic has collaborated with members of the Creighton University community to heal and strengthen the lives of thousands of people in rural, remote villages of the Dominican Republic. With health clinics virtually non-existent in these mountain areas, teams of Creighton health care professionals tend to the Dominicans' health needs in rugged outdoor health clinics.
Now, a newly constructed ILAC Health Center offers Dominicans another level of care—for many villagers, it will be the first time they will receive medical care in a modern facility. On January 6, 2004 ILAC and Creighton officials dedicated this new state-of-the-art outpatient clinic and surgical center, which is adjacent to the ILAC Center in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
"The new ILAC Health Center represents the vision of ILAC: treating people with dignity and delivering a holistic approach to medicine, encompassing the person's mind, body, and spirit to help them be self-sufficient in leading a fulfilling life," said Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. "Dominicans unable to afford health care will now have the opportunity to be treated in a first-class health facility with the latest technology that will meet their health needs.
"At the same time, Creighton students, faculty and alumni and others from across North America will have opportunities to volunteer at the health center and for other ILAC programs, living the Jesuit tradition of being 'men and women' for others," said Fr. Schlegel. "The people of ILAC, including the Board of Directors, Creighton representatives, and supporters, are to be congratulated for their efforts in making the health center a reality that will serve many who have no other means of health care."
Fr. Schlegel, Cam Enarson, M.D., M.B.A., Dean of Creighton's School of Medicine and Vice President for Health Sciences, and Chris Bradberry, Pharm.D., Dean of Creighton's School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, joined ILAC representatives in dedicating the new facility.
Also present at the dedication was Joseph Lynch, M.D., a Creighton physician who is a member of the ILAC Board of Directors and who has served as long-time Medical Director of ILAC. "The ILAC Health Center is a stand-alone facility separate from but near the ILAC Center," said Lynch. "The 4,000-square-foot health center will provide health care to the Dominicans from rural areas who don't have access to area hospitals or doctors. Through ILAC programs, we have designated and trained health care coordinators in the outlying villages. These coordinators will help us identify the people who need medical attention."
"At the new health center, American and Dominican physicians will be able to perform routine exams and simple surgeries. The facility will have examining rooms, operating rooms, a pharmacy, and a reception area," said Lynch.
Mario Davalos, President of the ILAC Board of Directors, said the health care center is one more way ILAC can help serve the Dominicans in rural areas. "We are providing a facility for those who don't have a place to go for medical care. It has been an incredible project, and we thank the donors who helped make it a reality," said Davalos. "A special thanks goes to donor Huascar Rodriquez. Not only did he donate funds for the health center, he provided a construction crew that built the facility in record time."
Founded by Jesuits Narciso Sanchez, S.J., and Ernesto Travieso, S.J., ILAC, through all of its programs, has been a life-changing experience for thousands of Creighton students, faculty and alumni and also for many others from across the U.S. who have served in ILAC programs. From its earliest days as a health care-focused program, ILAC has evolved into areas of agriculture, vocational education and community building, while retaining its original focus on health care services. Today, there are a wide variety of programs directed by Dominicans and overseen by Executive Director Radalme Peña.
"The rural communities of the Dominican Republic in dire need of health care and prevention are expressing their gratitude to those who have made it possible to have a regional health center where they can receive first-rate surgical attention," said Pena. "They thank the donors, including Huascar Rodriquez and the Japanese Embassy, as well as Creighton University for its spiritual and technical support through ILAC."
Creighton is an independent, comprehensive university operated by theJesuits. Creighton has been ranked at or near the top of Midwesternuniversities in the U.S. News & World Report magazine's "America's BestColleges" edition for more than a decade.
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