AHD trains Ecuadorian physicians and nurses at Hospital Pedro Vicente Maldonado (PVM) to be tomorrow’s rural health care leaders. Students are recruited from the prestigious Catholic University of Ecuador Medical School and the Luis Vargas Torres Nursing School. They learn AHD best medical and administrative practices, specific to the rural context, at Hospital PVM. An expansion of this training program is part of AHD’s most recent initiative.
Physicians and nurses working in the public sector are generally hired straight from medical school with little or no hands-on training. It is AHD’s vision to transform this system of medical training.
Below are a few of our many residents at Hospital Pedro Vicente Maldonado. They are all Ecuadorian and have a focused curriculum specific to the Rural Hospital Model. This is one of the best programs in the country for medical training. In fact, it’s the only one of its kind!
Dr. Amanda Tene Rueda
“My name is Amanda Elizabeth Tene Rueda. I am 26 years old. I was born in Quito, but my family is originally from Loja. I studied in Universidad Central del Ecuador. I was interested in family medicine when I was working as a rural physician in San Gabriel. I liked my first rotation in Hospital PVM. It was very hard and I learn very much about rational medicine, even though I never had enough time to study!!
I think family medicine is very important in order to improve the health conditions in my country, especially in rural areas. Fortunately, I can dedicate more time to my career because I don’t have children or any other huge responsibility. I am single, my family is big – 8 members, I am the second, but I am the only physician.
Mi nombre es Amanda Elizabeth Tene Rueda. Tengo 26 años. Naci en Quito, pero mi familia es de Loja. Estudié en La Universidad Central del Ecuador. Hice el año de medicatura rural en San Gabriel provincia del Carchi. Ahí me nació la el interés por la medicina familiar. Me interesó mucho desde el principio la idea de hacer un postgrado en hospital rural. La primera rotación ha cumplido con las espectativas, aunque siempre hace falta mas tiempo para estudiar. Estoy contenta de haber escogido la carrera.
Pienso que la medicina familiar será un pilar importante para el mejoramiento de la salud sobre todo en las comunidades rurales. Afortunadamente, puedo entregar mucho más tiempo al postgrado porque no tengo hijos, ni otra responsabilidad mayor. Mi familia es un poco grande somos 8 personas, soy la segunda, la única médico de la familia.”
Dr. Juan Carlos Perez
“My name is Juan Carlos and I am 30 years old. I was born and have always lived in Quito, Ecuador. I studied in a well-known school, Colegio Media. I have very fond memories of living in Quito. I graduated from medical school at the Central University of Ecuador and then applied to the Andean Health and Development post-graduate family medicine residency program. I am interested in the different ways of approaching medicine. I like to view medicine in both a biological and a psycho-social light.
Andean Health & Development has been a great experience! I always hoped to be part of an institution that really has a primary objective: to provide care to the neediest communities and in places where they really need health services.
I am growing every day with this program. I am learning medicine while reaching more needy people in a rural part of my country.
I’m single, I’m the third of four siblings, my parents and my family are very close and have always supported me. I thank Andean Health for this opportunity to further my career while serving those in need.”
Dr. Mónica Judith Reimundo Carrera
“My name is Mónica Judith Reimundo Carrera, and I was born in the city of Sangolquí, Ecuador, south of the capital city, Quito. I studied in the Central University of Ecuador in Quito. With Andean Health & Development, I have learned to live in the community [of Pedro Vicente Maldonado] while strengthening the relationships with my colleagues and the patients in the area. AHD offers quality medical attention to people in an area that is very distant from the city. We take each patient’s physical and mental situation into account.
I was LITERALLY born to work in my field. (I deliver babies!) As a physician, my purpose is to work with patients to prevent disease, cure ailments, and assist in their rehabilitation in order to maintain their good physical and mental health.
To me, medicine is a career that unites everything: strength, honesty, perseverance, and personal and professional growth.
In my family, I am the second of five. We all live with our mother, including my husband, Oswaldo. We don’t have children yet but we would like to once I finished the Residency Program with Andean Health & Development.”
