Thank you for taking the time to read the latest news and updates for Chapala Med in this, our April, 2021 newsletter.
The last 5-6 months have been stressful to say the least. In addition to opening our new state-of-the-art hospital, Ribera Medical Center, as well as Chapala Med II, we were dealing with the ongoing PANDEMIC. Getting the hospital and new clinic off to a successful start has been quite challenging and humbling.
I have come to terms with the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day! I was spreading myself too thin with my responsibilities at the hospital, two clinics, seeing patients both in Guadalajara and Lakeside and being active in Rotary Club of Ajijic and my district leadership duties as a Rotarian. It is a recipe for burnout and an increased risk for professional errors.
During this pandemic, the incidence of depression and substance abuse has increased substantially for the entire population but even more so for my colleagues in the medical field. We have been adversely affected by the stress and anxiety in our personal and professional lives. I am grateful to God that I have managed to maintain my sanity but am conscious that I am also at risk to these stress factors. Taking care of myself is perhaps the best thing I can do to take care of my patients.
Reading has helped me gain perspective and regain my focus on what has made Chapala Med successful in the past and what will help maintain its hard-earned excellence in the future. Two books that I have recently read have helped me realize two important things. – GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth and Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital by Eric Manheimer, MD. In Grit, I learned about Warren Buffett’s 5/25 strategy which reminds us that “it’s not what you do, it’s what you don’t do that drives your productivity and performance.”In Twelve Patients (the book on which the “New Amsterdam” TV series is based) I learned what a medical director or leader of a medical team should ideally be like. I realized my stress level was increasing, I was wearing myself out and I often caught myself overlooking details in my
work that could have life or death consequences.
After meeting with the RMC Board of Directors a few weeks ago, we decided that my role in the hospital would be as an Associate and as a member of the Board of Directors rather than as the medical director. I truly would have liked to be like the Medical Director in the “New Amsterdam” series but focusing on my duties at Chapala Med will serve my community and RMC much better than keeping all my positions at the hospital, the two clinics, and my Rotary
Club. Since stepping down from my position at the hospital I have regained my peace of mind and tranquility. I have no doubt that the Chapala Med team will continue to grow and excel in providing healthcare to the Lakeside community especially now that we have a great, modern hospital in the area.
Remember if you require urgent care or have a medical emergency you should call or contact us at our emergency number. We can evaluate your problem and see if it merits an office visit, home visit or hospitalization. I am pleased to report that Dr. Cherry Adjchavanich has returned from Houston so please help us welcome her back after her leave of absence. She and the other GPs, Dr. Afonso Garcia, Dr. Rebecca Vasquez, and Dr. Eva Flores will continue to help with the workload at the clinics and the hospital.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, National Parkinson’s Disease Month and World Immunization Week.I am proud of the work Rotary International has done to nearly eradicate polio worldwide through immunizations and we hope we will soon eradicate Covid-19.
Wishing you the best of health,
Santiago R. Hernandez M.D.
