Thank You

500+

PEOPLE HELPED

300+

VOLUNTEERS

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ALMA

+502 4299 4573

ILUMINA

+502 3092 4061

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The history of

ALMA

ALMA was created in 2018

Mike Oswald began participating in medical mission trips to Guatemala in 2007.  After he and his wife visited several areas of Guatemala and its different departments, they observed the need within the communities to provide the best possible medical care to people with limited resources. 

They noticed a lack of participation between the foreign mission teams and local physicians and nurses. In 2018, ALMA was formed with the idea that there would be a symbiotic relationship between the volunteers and the medical staff in Guatemala. This change in paradigm has been the key to safely providing surgical care to hundreds of individuals in Guatemala. Shortly after the formation of ALMA, alliances began starting with Dr. Vicky Loza at Ilumina, Dr. Julio Estrada at Panamed, Dr. Alex Diaz at Cemedica, and Dr. Errol Mendez with the Guatemalan Men’s National Soccer Team.

Part of the mission of ALMA is to provide high-level surgeries in the department of Sololá and in turn provide bilateral training between the medical personnel who visit Solola and the local physicians and nurses.

We know that through ALMA’s efforts we cannot provide the surgical needs of everyone in Guatemala who made need help, but we can focus on the individuals and provide quality medical care that is accessible through our social programs at Ilumina and Panamed with the goal of providing proper pre-operative and post-operative medical support.

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Contact Us Today US: (208) 818-4206 | GUATEMALA: +502 4299 4573

ALMA

PROJECTS

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ALMA's Core Values

Cooperation

Providing opportunities to strengthen the knowledge and skills of the local physicians and nurses. This goes both ways. The volunteers learn just as much as they teach as we work in conjunction with our medical staff partners in Guatemala.

Focus on responsible care

Medical care that involves surgery requires multiple steps to ensure that it is safe and done well. This is achieved with close communication week period to the mission between the ALMA team and local staff.

Focus on quality care

A preop clinic performed by local qualified physician before the mission begins provides time for work up. This also gives patients the time to get their lives in order prior to surgery. Intraop participation of the local staff provides a myriad of benefits including the ability for the local surgeon to know exactly what happened during surgery. Postoperatively a qualified surgeon who knows each patient must be available for followup care.

Professionalism

Strengthening and education of the local medical staff will allow for a continuation of the care that was performed during the mission trip. So much more many lives can continued to be blessed through education and continuation of support from abroad.

Up to date equipment and technology

Medical interventions and procedures that are carried out with modern equipment and supplies will reduce the risk to the patient and provide better outcomes. Proper inspection and maintenance of the equipment through the year is paramount. Equipment should be used throughout the year, not placed into a storage facility and used a few times per year.

Social Work

A local, professional social worker should be used to help find patients in need and assist them throughout the process of a medical mission. A proper financial assessment will allow each patient to participate by asking for a donation based upon economic need.

Want to be part of our team?

At ALMA we insist that our volunteers have a love for our patients and others whom we serve. Teamwork is a must. Hard work during a mission trip will be appreciated by those who we serve.

Our team in Guatemala

DON MIGUEL OSWALD

From Idaho, specializes in anesthesia, founder of ALMA.

DRA. VIRGINIA LOZA

Ophthalmologist
General Opthamologist, specializes in oculoplastic surgery. From Guatemala City, local representative of ALMA, currently runs a life-changing program through her ophthalmology clinic.

DR. JULIO ESTRADA

General Surgeon
From Guatemala City, local representative of ALMA who works with the PanaMed Clinic to develop programs to provide surgeries to those in need.

SANDRA CALDERÓN

Instrumentalist Videolaparoscopy
From Sololá, a guide with the local office of Tourism and Administration, currently works as a laparoscopic technician.

CINDY GUARCAX

Auxiliary nurse
From San Jorge La Laguna, Sololá; administrative professional by trade and currently employed as an auxiliary nurse.

CHECK OUT OUR

FUTURE MISSION TRIPS

ALMA's Board of Directors

Michael Oswald

President/Board Member

Vicky Loza

Executive Officer

Jorge Sactic

Board Member

Hailey Pierce

Board Member

Summer Holcomb

Board Member

Mikayla Campbell

Board Member