Start date at Hillside: August 2015
What do you do at Hillside? Executive Director
Where do you live? Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? There are many things I like about Hillside including that Hillside improves access to health care and health education for our community. Hillside is probably one of the only organizations in the south that offer home health care and physical therapy at no cost to the patients as well as other specialty services when available. I also like that Hillside has helped Belizeans to develop their capacities and education, empowering them to take on leadership roles in providing these services to our communities. Complementary, Hillside combines local and international expertise to learn as we grow, caring for our community in an interdisciplinary way, simultaneously building a huge network of family and friends.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I enjoy exploring nature, travelling to new and interesting places, learning about different cultures and cuisine as well as spending quality time with my family.
Start date at Hillside: July 2022
What do you do at Hillside? Medical Director
Where do you live? Most recently from Austin, TX currently residing in Punta Gorda Town
What do you like about Hillside? I love how everyone works together as a team at Hillside to provide quality care to our patients. Hillside feels like home and many patients comment on how welcoming the staff is. I also like how we provide this great experience for students and love the energy they bring to the clinic. I am so proud to be a part of this great team!
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I believe everyone has a right to quality healthcare and I am dedicated to helping people receive it. I enjoy my work at Hillside and I also love spending time with my family, running, hiking and feeling the sea breeze while reading in my hammock.
Start date at Hillside: started as part time in 2011, full time in 2016
What do you do at Hillside? Nursing Director. I am a home health nurse.
Where do you live? Eldridgeville, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? Direct patient care.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? Reading books, sewing and cooking.
Start date at Hillside: started as part time in 2011, full time in 2016
What do you do at Hillside? Pharmacy Director
Where do you live? San Felipe Village
What do you like about Hillside? I love the multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I like listening to music while driving and socializing with close friends and family.
Start date at Hillside: August 2016
What do you do at Hillside? Public Health Director
Where do you live? Punta Gorda/ San Ignacio
What do you like about Hillside? Hillside is carrying out a much needed service to an underserved sector in Toledo. The dedicated staff makes the working environment pleasant for productive engagements in the way forward.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? Travelling anywhere and everywhere.
Start date at Hillside: January 2023
What do you do at Hillside? Rehabilitation Director, I am a Physical Therapist that works with people to improve their mobility.
Where do you live? Born and raised in Chicago, IL but recently relocated to Punta Gorda from Charlotte NC.
What do you like about Hillside? I love the collaborative approach to helping and healing people. Hillside goes above and beyond to show every patient that their health is important. It also nurtures a wonderful environment for clinicians/students to learn how to have a culturally appropriate approach to their services.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I am passionate about the health and wellness of all. I really enjoy working out, taking photos, spending time in nature and dancing. I like motivating others to be their best self.
Start date at Hillside: July 2016
What do you do at Hillside? Students and Volunteers Outreach: I recruit students and volunteers which involves sending and responding to many emails, connecting volunteers to appropriate personnel at Hillside. I also organize orientation and the schedule for students and volunteers.
Where do you live? My home in the US is near Mountain View, Arkansas. My home in Belize is Punta Gorda Town.
What do you like about Hillside? I love that Hillside provides sustainable care for the residents of Toledo – care that says “we care". I also enjoy meeting volunteers and students and helping them to learn about Belize and Hillside.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? My passion is to help people to be the best they can be. That is why I trained to be a Life Coach! I love to learn new things too.
Start date at Hillside: June 2022
Where do you live? Punta Gorda Town, Toledo district, Belize
What do you like about Hillside? Hillside’s relentless do-good mission in Southern Belize entrenches the organisation’s credibility as a key stakeholder in propagating and implementing programs geared toward equitable health care opportunities for a severely marginalised population. Benevolence is the key hallmark of Hillside – lovely! Notably, the cohesion among Hillside’s staff members embodies a family unit, and by extension a harmonised organisation.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I derive great pleasure and satisfaction from writing and reading; the research element of writing reinforces my horizon. Outside the engaging occupational grant writing, my pastime writing typically takes the form of opinion pieces, feature articles, and critiques suited to blogs and other forms of media. My passion is obvious when I am profoundly immersed in writing, along with accompanying research, especially about human experiences and events that trigger constructive debate. The thrill of my writing is most felt toward the finish of a piece, knowing the final product is compelling and riveting at the same time. Scrabble is my favourite board (word) game – I love words and the quality of great diction! Chess is another board game that I relish. Not forgetting to mention a penchant for intellectual discourse, documentaries, and talk shows.
Start date at Hillside: January 2013
Where do you live? San Antonio Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? What I love about Hillside is that they offer free and quality health care to their patients.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? During my spare time I love dealing with plants and flowers to beautify my surroundings. I love traveling and being adventurous and of course spending quality time with family.
Start date at Hillside: June 2011
Where do you live? Yemeri Grove Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I really like Hillside because of the services they provide to the Toledo District and surrounding communities that are in dire need of medical services and Physical Therapy services for free of cost. The kindness, caring and the love all our staff, students and volunteers show to all the patients makes them feel welcome and cared for. This is why I love being at Hillside helping in serving.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? My passion is to serve others and I personally enjoy and love listening to music and spending quality time with my family.
Start date at Hillside: November 2008
Where do you live? Cux Lin Ha Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? Hillside has given me the opportunity to learn new things and meeting new people of various ethnicity.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I love reading and watching series.
Start date at Hillside: July 2013
Where do you live? San Felipe Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? Providing positive impact with the free services offered here at the clinic and the surrounding communities.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I enjoy reading and spending time with close families.
Start date at Hillside: June 2023
What do you do at Hillside? Intake Clerk
Where do you live? Originally from San Roman, for now I am living at Punta Gorda.
What do you like about Hillside? I like the team work, flexibility and communications.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? Learning and growing.
Start date at Hillside: April 2014
What do you do at Hillside? Rehabilitation Technician
Where do you live? San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I love the interaction with our patients, staff, student and volunteers at Hillside. Free service that hillside provides for patient care.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I enjoy dancing and exercise.
Start date at Hillside: March 2022
What do you do at Hillside? Driver / Maintenance
Where do you live? San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? What I like about Hillside is the people I get to meet on the job and that we play a part in helping out through healthcare.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I enjoy meeting new people.
Start date at Hillside: November 2021
What do you do at Hillside? Maintenance/ Driver
Where do you live? Eldridgeville, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I love the interaction between the staff, alumni’s and volunteers here at Hillside. I like how I’m impacting this institution with my experiences and knowledge in the field of work I do.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? My passion here personally is to interact with different people and give them a comforting and pleasant experience with my God given humorous and compassionate character.
Start date at Hillside: August 2000
What do you do at Hillside? Head Housekeeper
Where do you live? Forest Home Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I like Hillside health programs. Hillside is a place surrounded by positive people and the fact that its a place that reach out to the communities. I enjoy the retreats and interact with new rotations.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I love gardening, planting flowers and cooking.
Start date at Hillside: December 2019
What do you do at Hillside? Assistant Housekeeper
Where do you live? Jacinto Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I like Hillside because it serves the people of Toledo District with their services. I also like getting along with different people and learning new things everyday and most liked is the cooking lessons with the students.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I love to socialize, karaoke, fishing and cooking.
Start date at Hillside: December 2011
What do you do at Hillside? Security Guard
Where do you live? Eldridge Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? Hillside is a very helpful place to the environment especially for the sick people.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I am most passionate about my work at Hillside and I enjoy keeping the area clean, water plants to beautify the compound. I do the same at my home.
Start date at Hillside: September 2018
What do you do at Hillside? Security Guard
Where do you live? Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I like speaking to patients and being friendly to them, helping where needed as well as keeping the compound safe.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I enjoy speaking to patients and love farming.
Start date at Hillside: December 2019
What do you do at Hillside? Security Guard
Where do you live? San Felipe Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I like that Hillside offer free medical care for people.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I enjoy being a security guard here at Hillside.
Start date at Hillside: June 2023
What do you do at Hillside? Security Guard
Where do you live? Hicattee Village, Toledo District
What do you like about Hillside? I like that Hillside is offering free medical care for people.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I like running to exercise to be healthy and strong. I really enjoy listening to music and I like to grill chicken, pork, fish etc.
Start date at Hillside: 2015
What do you do at Hillside? Board President. I was the medical director at Hillside from 2015-2016.
Where do you live? Michigan
What do you like about Hillside? Hillside strives to partner with local healthcare organizations to bring care to those in the Toledo District. Through collaboration and unique services that Hillside can provide they are able to improve the health and well-being of the community while also allowing healthcare providers, volunteers and students, to learn and serve alongside those communities.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? As a family we are passionate about slow travel to allow us to engage and learn from whatever community we are in. I enjoy sports, reading, board games and spending time in nature.
Start date at Hillside: 2019
What do you do at Hillside? My friend’s father-in-law started as one of the first long term medical directors at Hillside. He asked me to assist because they did not have any attorneys on the board. I researched the organization and really appreciated the work they do.
Where do you live? Austin, TX
What do you like about Hillside? I love the selfless desire to provide medical care to a region that is underserved. I also really appreciate the commitment to empowering Belizeans to eventually take over the organization.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? Nothing gets me out of bed quite like defending the little guy, and Hillside is a champion of helping those who need a hand.
Start date at Hillside: 2020
What do you do at Hillside? I have been volunteering at Hillside as a medical volunteer since I retired in 2016. The Hillside board needed a token old guy.
Where do you live? Charleston SC USA
What do you like about Hillside? The people! Patients, staff, volunteers and students.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? My wife and my grandchildren. And mowing the lawn.
Start date at Hillside: 2012
What do you do at Hillside? I am the board secretary and chair of the rehabilitation committee. I first came to Hillside as a student in 2012 then returned to the clinic as the rehab director from 2016-2017. I continued to stay involved after returning to the US and joined the board in 2018.
Where do you live? Chicago, IL
What do you like about Hillside? I love the team approach to care provided by the Hillside staff and students. Every person is an essential member of the health care team and treats every patient with the dignity and respect they deserve.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I love all things outdoors: walking my dog, running, traveling, hiking, and gardening.
Start date at Hillside: 2017
What do you do at Hillside? I joined the board because I had such an incredible experience as the pharmacy director for a year! I wanted to continue to be involved and have a positive impact.
Where do you live? La Crosse, WI
What do you like about Hillside? Hillside is unique as a health- focused NGO in that we provide sustainable care that patients can rely on all year round, and I think that is really special. Students and volunteers also get an in depth cultural experience, seeing how people of another country live and receive care, and I believe that the staff does a great job facilitating this experience in a mutually respectful way.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I am passionate about community building and friendship. I enjoy playing music with my folk duo Carriage House, riding my bicycle, reading books and playing games.
Start date at Hillside: 2015
What do you do at Hillside? I was introduced to Hillside through a previous board member in 2015. At that time they were looking for a volunteer pharmacist. I visited in May and volunteered for a week, and then agreed to sign on for a year returning in October. I remained on the pharmacy committee since, and was able to join the board in 2022.
Where do you live? Upper Peninsula of Michigan
What do you like about Hillside? There is so much to love about Hillside. The community of Hillside has become extended family. Being a part of an organization that has such deep roots and is constantly striving to improve access to health care in southern Belize means a lot to me.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? Professionally, I am very passionate about reproductive health and population health. Personally, I love spending time outside with my family ( hiking, biking, swimming, camping) and we love to travel! At home, I love to bake and read.
Start date at Hillside: 2023
What do you do at Hillside? In 2019 I made my first trip to Hillside as a physician volunteer. Since that fist time I have returned to volunteer two additional times and continue to be amazed at the quality of care and the educational experience for the students. I am so excited to join the board to learn and contribute more to the operations and fundraising of Hillside outside of direct clinical care.
Where do you live? Chicago, IL
What do you like about Hillside? When visiting, it is easy to see the passion and dedication to Hillside’s mission in the actions from everyone including staff, volunteers, and people of the Toledo district. I am consistently impressed with Hillside’s ability to collaborate with local community leaders and ministry in order to provide quality care to the community as well as support and resources for Home Health Care and Physical Therapy.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I am passionate about health care at the level of my local community as well as globally. Outside of medicine I enjoy spending time walking my dog and playing soccer and tennis – as well as relaxing and reading the latest mystery/thriller on my kindle.
Start date at Hillside: 2017
What do you do at Hillside? Board Member, Clinical, Public & Mental Health Committee. I started out volunteering as a faculty preceptor for Hillside, where I’ve learned about and been able to experience the collaborative efforts that Hillside does so well. From these relationships formed, I was able to be part of two projects with Hillside, one to improve diabetes care, and the second to introduce point-of-care ultrasound to providers. It has been such a pleasure working so closely with people who share a passion for improving the health and lives of the residents of Punta Gorda, and this is what brought me to apply for position on the board. I hope that my dedication to Hillside can be useful in a larger way by helping to make decisions that are in the best interest of the patients and staff at Hillside in the future
Where do you live? Chicago, IL
What do you like about Hillside? I love the collaboration and multidisciplinary approach that Hillside brings to each patient encounter. Actually getting to speak to the pharmacist and the physical therapists about what medications and therapies might be best for a patient expands my knowledge and assures me that we are providing as comprehensive care as we can by thinking through multiple perspectives in a remarkably efficient way.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to value my time with nature and animals more. I got certified in scuba diving while I was in Belize, and it has been one of the most enjoyable things I’ve learned to be that close to sea life. Most of my time is spent playing with my toddler and dog, so we take a lot of walks to the park and lake in Chicago.
Start date at Hillside: 2023
What do you do at Hillside? I came to know of Hillside Health Care International through other individuals who have served on the board, and am also familiar with the reputation of the organization from people in the community who directly benefit from the services. As a professional, I gravitate towards organization-building projects and I am happy that I am able to join HHCI now at the time when it is looking towards expanding its services in the areas of mental health, physical therapy and occupational therapy. As a native Belizean, I am aware of the strengths and try to keep up with the advances and areas for growth in the healthcare and education sectors in Belize.
Where do you live? Boston, MA
What do you like about Hillside? I am motivated by the mission of Hillside Health, to promote healthcare and education in communities where the work has direct, visible impact.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I travel – a lot! – and I thoroughly enjoy experiencing new places and engaging with people from different backgrounds and cultures and learning from those perspectives. Funny enough, while I have been “all over" Belize, I have never been to Toledo — so I am pleased that engagement with HHCI will increase the likelihood of that for me.
Start date at Hillside: 2023
What do you do at Hillside? Pharmacy Committee. I volunteered as a pharmacist at Hillside in September of 2023 after hearing about it from a friend who had volunteered previously. I really enjoyed that experience and chose to join the board to continue serving to advance the mission of Hillside Health Care International.
Where do you live? Lapel, Indiana
What do you like about Hillside? I love how Hillside provides access to quality medical care to patients in rural Belize while also providing educational experiences to students in various healthcare fields.
What are your interests/ hobbies outside of Hillside? I am passionate about community involvement and caring for others. My husband and I have two young children and in my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, volunteering for my children’s school and extracurricular groups, and spending time outdoors.