Support will help revamp the services offered at two rural clinics in Baja California Sur.

September 7, 2021 | Florida, United States | By: Kim Strobel, Adventist Health, and Adventist Review

Asix-member Adventist Health team traveled to Baja California Sur, Mexico, in July 2021 to assist with plans for the launch of a health system for the North Mexican Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The health system will continue the development of two existing rural health clinics that provide general medical and dental services for the communities of Valle de la Trinidad and Loreto in Baja California Sur. Adventist Health will be the primary health-system advisor and will support all aspects of system development.

Raul Ayala, Adventist Health ambulatory medical officer, leads the discussion about clinic opportunities in Loreto, Baja Sur, Mexico. [Photo provided by Adventist Health]
John Schroer, Adventist Health Global Mission system lead, led the team. It included Adrian Serna, president for Adventist Health Physician Services; Raul Ayala, Adventist Health ambulatory medical officer; and members of the spiritual care teams at Adventist Health White Memorial in Los Angeles, and Adventist Health Central Valley Network, both in California, United States.

The Adventist Health team met with 10 Adventist Church leaders from northern Mexico, including conference presidents, conference health directors, and a public health educator from the University of Montemorelos, in Montemorelos, Nuevo León.

Together, the two teams completed an analysis of the two clinics to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to assist in building a sustainable business model for the clinics. The teams also developed a strategy and governance structure to support the development of the health system.

In Valle de la Trinidad, Baja California Sur, Mexico, clinic administrator Yetlanezy Olguín (standing) provides information about the local community and the need for the clinic. [Photo: Adventist Health]
The project in Mexico is the result of the vision and support of Adventist Health White Memorial over the past six years, Adventist Health leaders shared. “Collaboration with rural health experts in the Adventist Health Central Valley Network will be key as the project continues to expand,” they said.

About Adventist Health

Adventist Health is a faith-based, non-profit, integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast of the United States and Hawaii, as well as others across the U.S. through its Blue Zones company. It is a pioneer in taking a systemic and environmental approach to improving the health of entire cities and communities.

Through this work, Adventist Health is leading a 21st-century well-being transformation movement. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, its innovative Adventist Health Hospital@Home program that provides virtual inpatient care at home, home care agencies, hospice agencies, and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities.

Adventist Health’s team of 37,000 includes associates, medical staff physicians, allied health professionals, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope.

The original version of this story was posted on the North American Division news site.