Hola amigos.

We hope that you, your friends and your family are all doing well.

Independence Day was celebrated on September 15th, there was a great parade with all of the school children.

Three obstetricians from the Global Health Department of OB/GYN at Mt. Sinai visited HA this month. All medical volunteers know how tense it is at HA when there is not an OB volunteer, and mid September was one of those times.

The OBs direct a program called Saving Mothers, and work with traditional midwives to help them become aware of the moment when mom needs hospital attention. They met with the comadronas during the short visit. We were very happy to welcome the doctors and hope that they return.

Dra. Louise Kenny from New Castle England is an ER Physician volunteering until February.

Two pediatricians have been busy this month. Rebecca Taxier and Alana Sharer have conducted well baby check-ups for the little ones in the Maternal Infant program and for all of the children in the Panabaj school. It is fun to see the children who worked alongside us in the renovation of the old hospital in Panabaj growing up and staying in school.

The Philadelphia trip for Dr. Chuc has been fast paced and exciting. There have been many friend and fundraising events, and he has participated in many academic discussions at the University, including; Intellectual Diversity and Health in the Developing World, Volunteers - roles, benefits and challenges, and Managing a Hospital with Limited Resources. It has been a tremendous experience and we thank all of our friends at U Penn for the warm welcome.

The film, The Life and Birth of Hospitalito Atitlán can be seen at www.hospitalitoatitlan.org Check out the new photos on the blog too.

Thanks for all of your help… hope to see you soon.

The staff and Board of Directors at Hospitalito Atitlán