When I graduated high school, I could have taken a million different career paths. In fact, I used to think I’d be a lawyer, in fact, I started law school and then, realized this wasn´t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I changed my mind and started med school. I’m so happy I chose the path of becoming a family doctor.
I love working at Clinica Esperanza because I feel like I help the community of Roatan to have accessible and quality healthcare. I consider it to be one of the best places on the island to get medical care.
What I like the most about being a doctor is being able to see the progress in the patients before and after their treatment – be it a wound, a chronic patient, an infection, or a pregnancy. I feel like I am making a real difference in the quality of life for the people.
One of the cases that stood out the most to me was a mother who came with her baby, approximately 11 months old, with a face wound that needed sutures.
The mother was crying and upset about her daughter feeling guilty for the accident that had occurred while she was taking care of her.
I tried to calm her down by telling her about my two children and that my youngest can be a little dare-devil sometimes. I shared, that I have had to stitch him up because he has gotten cut very badly. I also shared that what I tell myself is that kids will be kids and sooner or later things like this are bound to happen.
I felt very happy, that after I shared with this mother, she calmed down. Moments like these are small but significant because I am able to help a person both physically and emotionally. This makes me happy and want to continue my career as a doctor.
I can’t imagine my life any other way!
What unexpected path did you choose to walk down?
Dr. Laura Andino
Born in Tegucigalpa where she grew up and attended medical school. When she graduated as a doctor she moved to Roatan in search of a job. She worked at Cooperativa Ceibena for 4 years and at Hospital Cemesa for 2 years before coming to Clinica Esperanza where she has worked for 2 years. She mainly works with our adult patients but is a Family Doctor and sees pediatric and women’s health patients as well.
Dr. Laura is married and has 2 boys, ages 11 and 2. She has a passion for food and enjoys cooking very much. She also loves spending time with her family.
