DR. JUAN JOSE LUGO

Physicians return to serve

By Alfredo Arango
Medical Editor

For many doctors who have immigrated to the United States, a permanent return to their countries of origin is a dream that never materializes, because even if they move back and forth, it isn’t always easy to arrange a permanent return. However, there are some who at all costs manage to create a way and not only return permanently, but also serve their fellow countrymen by putting to good use the knowledge and skills acquired during their time abroad.

In fact, many hospitals and clinics in Latin America have been founded or developed by physicians who studied and lived outside their country for many years. Just to mention an example of one of these renowned doctors, the famous Argentine cardiologist, René Favaloro, who created the coronary bypass, in 1971 returned from the United States to his country with the dream of developing a center of excellence that would combine medical care, research and education.

Today, the return of emigrants to their countries of origin, a process known as “return migration,” is so important that in some countries the government, well aware of contributions that can be made by the “voluntary repatriates,” as they are called, uses various methods to encourage them to return and stay. In fact, a study carried out in Jamaica by Elizabeth Thomas-Hope, from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, found “a strong propensity of highly skilled groups to return, thus contradicting again the usual beliefs regarding the matter of return migration.”

In the case of physicians, this process is particularly active, contributing to medical development in Latin America.

“I became a physician in the United States. I lived in Miami for 20 years, I’m a veteran here, but four years ago, I was approaching the age of 58, and since in my country they were on the verge of beginning a new hospital called Hospital Metropolitano Vivia Pellas, I was invited to contribute ideas. I so enjoyed collaborating on that project that I returned to Nicaragua to live. I’ve been there for four years now,” said Dr. Juan José Lugo Kautz during a recent visit made by a group of Nicaraguan doctors to Kendall Regional Medical Center of Miami.

Dr. Lugo helping a patient at Hospital Metropolitano in Managua.

Dr. Lugo said that returning to one’s country of origin is not an easy thing to do. “It’s hard, because you get used to the great abundance in the United States, where there are so many disposable items that look so new and reusable that you hate to throw them away. As we know, everything works here; this is the Mecca of the world; here you lack nothing. You get there and have to face shortage, but since it is your own country –I wasn’t returning to a country that was unknown to me–, you adapt easily, because it’s a country that receives you with doors open wide. There you are a very important person, because you are helping to do things that not everyone has the chance to observe abroad,” the physician added.

Returning can be so complex that it probably is not for everyone.

“There are several here that would like to go back. I would not recommend it to a 40-year-old doctor who is at the apex of his/her life and career. But I would recommend it to those who are already hitting 55 and are considering some type of retirement. These people still have a lot to contribute, and there is much to be done there, from a simple medical practice, to becoming a hospital director or a health minister. Another interesting field is teaching. I’m very active in everything related to the field of laparoscopy, I’m a pioneer there in that field, as well as in the field of in vitro fertilization,” said Dr. Lugo.

Dr. Manuel Mantecon, Director of International Services at Kendall Regional Medical Center, Anamorella Peñalba and Dr. Lugo, during a breakfast in Miami.

“The return of physicians to our country facilitates making our hospital known abroad, which is one of our objectives. They make it possible for us to establish a connection with the experience of other prestigious centers, and are key players in making our services known abroad,” said Anamorella Peñalba, Manager of Marketing at Hospital Metropolitano.

Gilberto Guzmán, head of the mentioned center, said that the link offered by physicians who know well how health systems work both in their source countries and in the United States, are essential in setting up effective agreements with American hospitals, citing as an example an agreement with Kendall Regional hospital.

“Our visit here to Kendall Regional Medical Center with Dr. Lugo was made possible by a mutual collaboration agreement we have. The benefits offered by these agreements are manifold, such as: transfer of technology, medical education exchanges, patient referral for advanced treatments unavailable in our country, and later follow-up and care of these patients upon returning after undergoing these procedures,” said Mr. Guzman.

The physicians agreed that, generally speaking, the doctors who return to their countries easily manage to obtain acknowledgement and accreditation for studies completed in internationally prestigious medical schools, whether in the United States or Europe. The professionals added that there are thousands of Latin American doctors in the United States who could be of invaluable service to their countries if they returned.