On Friday, March 18, 2013 the Clínica de Familia La Romana (or, La Romana Family Clinic, in English), the largest non-governmental organization in the Eastern Dominican Republic focused on HIV care, treatment, and prevention, celebrated 15 extraordinary years working to improve the health and well-being of the La Romana.
The celebration was held in the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church and included a dance performance by Clínica de Familia´s adolescent peer educators, who help educate other teens about healthy living. Martha Victoria, President of the organization’s Board of Directors, and Mina Halpern, Executive Director of Clínica de Familia, had the honor of handing out special recognition awards to several key individuals who have helped to create and grow the clinic over the last 15 years.
The passion and enthusiasm of Dr. Stephen W. Nicholas were the driving force behind the creation of Clínica de Familia. A pediatrician in New York and a pioneer in providing care for children with HIV and their families since the 1980s in Washington Heights and Harlem, Dr. Nicholas first traveled to La Romana in 1999, after he realized that many of his medical cases linked back to children living in the Dominican Republic. At that time, there were not any medicines available to treat HIV in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Nicholas first began a program to provide treatment to pregnant women with HIV, in order to prevent transmission to their babies, but soon realized it was imperative to provide HIV care and treatment to the entire family.
Subsequently, Dr. Nicholas began to collaborate with the Fundación MIR as well as the Religiosas Adoratrices (an order of Spanish nuns) in the creation of a family-centered clinic in 2004 – one of the very first health centers in the Dominican Republic providing antiretroviral therapy to people with HIV.
Since that time, the clinic’s services and target population have expanded. The clinic now offers high quality health, education, and psychological support services to those most in need throughout the Eastern Dominican Republic, including adults and children with HIV, sex workers, and adolescents. Clínica de Familia has a holistic, family-centered approach that includes specialized medical care, social services, community outreach, prevention and education programs. The clinic provides comprehensive primary and HIV-specialized outpatient medical care, community and home-based services, and an annual summer camp for HIV-positive children. Clinical services offered include general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, pharmacy, laboratory, ultrasound, family planning, mental health, and nursing services. Clínica de Familia also oversees special programs for the reduction of vertical transmission of HIV and prenatal and reproductive health care for adolescents through the Maternal-Infant Health Annex (Módulo Anexo Materno Infantil), in collaboration with the largest public hospital in the province, Hospital Francisco Gonzalvo.
You can watch an 18 minute video in English about Clínica de Familia’s programs and services on their website: www.clinicadefamilia.org.do/video.
In celebration of this excellent work, the following pioneers and outstanding members received well deserved awards:
The Clinica de Familia’s 15th anniversary – Awards go to:
Las Religiosas Adoratrices
Back in the 1980s, this wonderful religious organization began advocating for the rights of the most vulnerable women. Their great work, in collaboration with Dr. Nicholas, was instrumental in creating Clínica de Familia. They continue to be close collaborators and supporters of the clinic.
Fundación MIR
Without the support, dedication and leadership of the Fundación MIR, and the Azqueta and Fanjul families, Clinica de Familia would not be what it is today. The foundation´s work with children in the community has been truly exemplary.
Dr. José Román and his wife, Aura Castillo
A pioneer, not only in La Romana, but also in the rest of the Dominican Republic with regard to the prevention of HIV transmission. Dr. Román created the first clinic in La Romana dedicated to providing care to pregnant women with HIV. Aura Román Castillo was recognized for her great work in strengthening the student program and the creation of the Maternal-Child Health Annex.
Dr. Consuelo Beck-Sagué and Andrew Dean
Dr. Consuelo is passionate about the work being done by the institution. She has been a champion in helping to improve the quality of services provided, as well as conducting important research at the clinic. Dr. Andrew Dean has helped update and improve the clinic’s information technology system and physical plant.
Dr. Leonardo Feliz
A special award went to Dr. Leonardo Feliz for his vision in creating the adolescent Maternal-Child Health Annex, which is a collaboration between the Clínica de Familia and Hospital Francisco Gonzalvo. His leadership has helped ensure that the adolescents receive high quality health services.
Dr. Stephen W. Nicholas
Last but not least, the founder of the clinic for his great vision, dedication and leadership, which has made these 15 years of Clínica de Familia a success.
Congratulations to the Clínica de Familia medical center in La Romana! Not only do we celebrate the center’s 15th anniversary, but we also celebrate your daily efforts to help many mothers, children, families and communities enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life!
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