What the Heck Just Happened?! The Clinic Gets a New Name
A very emotional morning unfolded at La Ciudad de la Esperanza on the second day of clinic last Wednesday, as the community formally unveiled the clinic’s new name: La Doctora Laurel Pramuk Clinica de Atencion Integral en Salud. After some beautiful words of welcome in Spanish from Dr. Ricardo and Doña Rosario, Lauri and I were asked to come forward, step onto a small step ladder, and, as everyone counted down from three, remove the clips that held up a sheet covering a sign on the wall. The sheet fell away and the name was revealed. Lauri was caught completely off guard and so was I. Tears flowed as everyone burst into applause.
When she was finally able to speak, Lauri managed just a few words. “If I wanted any place to have my name on it, it would certainly be this place. Thank you.” For my part, trying to absorb this unexpected honor, Dr. Ricardo’s words about the work of the medical team held even greater significance. “Sister Ann Manganaro,” he said, “would be very proud.”
On their Facebook page the next day, La Ciudad announced the naming of the clinic “after Dr. Laurel Pramuk, American pediatrician who has dedicated fifteen years of her life to helping the Guatemalan community in their healthcare needs, seven years of which have been on behalf of the population of Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Dr. Pramuk leads the project with students from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, an effort that translates into caring for more than 2,500 patients per year in our clinic. Accompanied by her husband, Regis professor Dr. Chris Pramuk, the name that will accompany us on this road to help the most in need was revealed in a moment of surprise. We are so grateful, Dr. Lauri, for your dedication to the people of Guatemala!”
Others have shared beautifully on this blog about their experiences in the clinic over the course of the week: the beautiful children, the courage of families, the medical challenges faced with expertise and creativity, patience and love. For me, the naming is an additional gift beyond all words to know that the people of this community will hold Lauri in their hearts as dearly as she will always hold them. The sense of wonder and gratitude for what she and the medical team have built over the last 7 or 8 years, on both sides of the border, is truly overwhelming. After a lot of hugs and tears, all that remained after the naming ceremony was to get back to work!
Lastly, one of the things that has moved me so much about experiencing the clinic at La Ciudad firsthand is the intergenerational learning and partnership it embodies. Like an electrical force field flashing from heart to heart, mind to mind, the care of the medical team for every student in each patient encounter – teaching and questioning, challenging and encouraging – leading with curiosity and genuine care for the (whole) person is really beautiful to behold. Young and old, experienced and inexperienced, confident and tentative, all walking together side by side, seeds planted and watered in the lives of everyone involved. Education as whole person formation, the best of what a Jesuit education can provide.
I’m so deeply grateful to the La Ciudad community, to Regis University, and to the medical team and students who welcomed me as one of their own, alongside my beloved wife Doctora Lauri, an experience I will never forget.
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