Dear Friend,
It is my honor and pleasure to send you greetings and wishes of abundant blessings for you, your loved ones, and your friends. As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Peruvian American Medical Society’s founding, we reflect upon the wisdom of our founders and the remarkable history of our organization.
As we celebrate our accomplishments, we must think strategically about our future direction and opportunities. We are very grateful to the many who have so generously contributed their resources, time and talents to strengthen our core values and further the mission of PAMS. When everybody participates and works together, we can achieve our goal of delivering projects that produce meaningful, impactful, and sustainable results.
While we continue to endure the challenges of the pandemic and the unprecedented economic and political turmoil of Peru this past year, we should pause to acknowledge and take pride in how we have persevered to creatively help so many people.
- We provided food to those who suffered from critical food instability.
- We provided supplies and medical equipment to local caregivers.
- We organized professional medical attention and education campaigns throughout Peru.
- And perhaps most importantly, we gave emotional support to those who need it most.
Additionally, we have begun reactivating our medical missions, which will continue to expand in the next year. Many of our missions supported local communities during Covid, and it is good to be back on the ground to serve so many people in need.
I want to share with you one story of our work. In July 2019, PAMS medical teams and volunteers traveled to Yantalo, a remote community in the upper Amazon jungle, to operate on complex cases. One of the patients that required surgery was one-year-old Karen, born with a cleft lip and palate, making it difficult for her to eat, drink and speak. The medical teams of the North Texas Chapter and Peru Pais Que Sonrie collaborated in the specialized reconstructive cleft lip and palate surgery.
This past year, the North Texas Chapter mission returned to Yantalo and reconnected with their patients. One of those patients was now three-year-old Karen, thriving as a result of her surgery. She is eating, drinking, speaking, and giving amazing hugs! Your donations make the work of PAMS possible!
Another area of great success has been our series of educational webinars reaching tens of thousands of medical professionals and students worldwide. We have recently developed a mentorship program and are currently redesigning the process to increase national and international partnerships to improve sustainability and impact. As our work continues to evolve and expand, so has our efforts to broaden our outreach to increase recruitment resulting in steady membership growth.
Our Policlinico in Chincha, Peru, also continues to thrive. We have expanded the number of
services that we offer to meet the community’s needs and have begun conducting missions comprised
of Policlinico staff to provide aid to the surrounding communities. Our success over the years is
directly due to our members, volunteers, and donors’ hard work and dedication.
I have spoken with members and friends who all share a common purpose that matches directly with the vision and mission of PAMS. They want to improve health outcomes in Peru and share their time and gifts to mentor younger professionals, promote medical education, and foster a community that shares a love for Peru and its culture. This passion and commitment are needed to drive PAMS forward, and this energy and excitement give me the confidence that together, PAMS will overcome any challenges.
An old proverb says it is impossible to know which seeds will grow and produce fruit just by looking at them. Instead, it is best to plant those seeds and consistently nurture them so they will one day grow fruit and be bountiful.
Fifty years ago, the seed of PAMS was planted. Throughout our history, PAMS has not only produced a bountiful harvest, but we have gone on to plant many, many more seeds. Our work impacts others beyond our realization.
The passion, dedication, and support of PAMS members, donors, and volunteers not only benefit those we directly serve, but inspire untold numbers to plant their seeds and utilize their talents for the service of others. We have more work to do and seeds to plant, as a bountiful harvest is not assured. We need to continue the hard work, and we need your support and assistance. Make a holiday gift donation to continue providing healthcare to the neediest in Peru, children like Karen.
¡Felices Fiestas y Próspero Año Nuevo!
Luis A. Campos, MD, FAAC
President, Peruvian American Medical Society
P.S. We are excited to meet again in person to celebrate PAMS’ 50th Anniversary. We hope that you can join us in September 2023, in Arequipa, Peru, to enjoy the fellowship of our great PAMS community. We ask for any creative suggestions and helping hands, as we want to make this an extraordinary celebration.