Adventist Health Global Mission assists with plans for Baja health system
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A six-member team from Adventist Health traveled to Baja, Mexico, in July to meet with Adventist leaders from Mexico in order to assist with plans for the launch of a health system in the North Mexican Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The new health system will oversee continued development of two existing rural health clinics that provide general medical and dental services for the communities of Valle de la Trinidad and Loreto, Mexico. Adventist Health will be the primary advisor for the project and will support all aspects of system development.

The team of advisors from Adventist Health was organized and directed by John Schroer, Adventist Health Global Mission system lead, and 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 and Adventist Health Central Valley Network.

"I'm excited to see the clinics expand from a church outreach model to officially building a community-based clinic system that can grow to serve more patients and support our providers along the way," Serna said.

Clinic administrator Yetlanezy Olguín presents.

The partnership between Adventist Health and Valle de la Trinidad has blossomed following a short-term mission trip in 2014. That year a group from Adventist Health White Memorial traveled to the rural community to assist at a local orphanage. Since that initial trip, the frequency of visits and the number of volunteers from Adventist Health White Memorial have grown.

During this recent trip, the Adventist Health team met with 10 Adventist leaders from Mexico, including conference presidents, conference health directors and a public health educator from the University of Montemorelos. Together, the teams completed a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and strengths) analysis of the two clinics to develop a sustainable business model for the future. They also developed a strategy and governance structure to support development of the health system.

As the health system in Baja Mexico continues to grow, collaboration with rural health experts from Adventist Health Central Valley Network — which operates more than 60 sites in Kings, Fresno, Tulare, Kern and Madera counties — will be key.  

“Rural communities in America and around the world share the same needs and disparities. They strive to provide the basic human necessities, such as access to quality care, education, jobs, transportation, and access to food and shelter,” said Ayala. “We need to share our collective learnings from our rural communities and strive for a better tomorrow by serving the inequities of life around the world.”