Salomón Her
nández
Executive Director
Serving as Executive Directors of the Westmont Bethel Association, Salomón and Mery see the hospital as the fulfillment of a life-long dream of serving the poor in their need. They have witnessed the countless refusals by area hospitals to attend to the poor and outcast simply because they do not have the resources to pay for the required services. They began studying medicine for that very reason and have passed their vision to their children who now run the daily operations of the hospital. They live a life of loving their neighbors and serving their community through providing medicine, food assistance, water improvement, elementary education, and collaborative housing development to better the lives of the poor around them. The hospital has been a key instrument to provide for the poorest of the poor, assuring they receive love and care without distinction of economic class or ethnicity.
Dr. Daniel Hernández, M.D.
Chief Medical Director
Much like his parents, Daniel Hernández (‘Dany’) has grown in his love for the poor. As a little boy, he would follow his parents through the jungles of Guatemala, witnessing first hand, their love for Jesus “in the distressing disguise of the poor.” He became fascinated with the manner in which Jesus’ love could be communicated to people through medicine and committed his life’s work to sharing Jesus through medicine.
Dany currently runs a private clinic in Guatemala City that allows him to donate much of his time to the Westmont Bethel Hospital as the Chief Medical Director. Having studied in Guatemala’s prestigious La Universidad de San Carlos, Dany obtained his doctorate in General Medicine in 1987, his specialty in General Surgery in 1992 and in Vascular Surgery in 1995. His training has included travels to Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica where he studied under the leading surgeons in Central America. Considered one of the best surgeons in Guatemala, Dany has dedicated his efforts to bringing quality care to the poorest of the poor through the Westmont Bethel Hospital.
During his studies at La Universidad de San Carlos, Dany met his future wife, Rubicely (‘Ruby’) who shares his love for Jesus through serving the poor. She also earned her degree in General Medicine and continued her studies to serve women by obtaining a degree in Gynecology in 1992. Ruby currently also has a private clinic that allows her to volunteer much of her expertise at the Westmont Bethel Hospital.
Lic. Graciela Hernández
Chief of Operations
Graciela “Shelly” Hernández serves as the Chief of Operations. She is tremendously effective in the way she provides leadership to those serving with her. Recently, one of the patients recovering from surgery needed to be washed up. Thinking that Shelly was one of the nurses, he asked her if she would help him. Graciously, she did, sponge bathing him as well. He asked her to clean his feet; she did. He asked her to comb his hair; she did. And after making him comfortable, she left the room to attend to other duties. After a few minutes a nurse walked in, asking him if he needed anything. He explained that the other ‘nurse’ just helped him very graciously. The nurse replied that Shelly was not a nurse, but in fact was the Hospital Administrator. A bit embarrassed, he said, “You mean she’s a licenciada (a Spanish title that means one has earned an advanced degree).” The nurse said ‘yes.’ After a few hours the patient saw Shelly again and asked her why she had bathed him. She replied, “Our motto here is Everyone Serves. How could I ask someone to serve you if I don’t do it myself?”
Shelly has built an extraordinary team of nurses, lab technicians and administrative assistants and has shown them by example that in order to lead, one must serve. The staff members strive to serve and love all of those who enter the hospital – as well as each other. Much like the example of Jesus, Shelly has been investing in the lives of these young women, teaching them to love as God does.
Mery Hernández
Volunteer Coordinator
Serving as the Volunteer Coordinator, Mery Hernandez serves as the in-country liaison for the various internationals that come alongside the Westmont Bethel Staff to lend support and resources. Mery has served cross-culturally as as a volunteer in the United States and Guatemala and understands the cultural dynamics that arise serving in a cross-cultural setting. Her experience has allowed her to lead volunteer teams abroad as well as lead spiritual retreats for young women.
In addition to serving with the Westmont Bethel Association, Mery is a student at La Universidad de San Carlos where she is pursuing a degree in General Medicine.