Here's an article, "The Healing Hands of San Pedro", from the San Pedro Sun in 1999
Recent news has disclosed that the San Pedro Lions Club is undertaking yet
another wonderful project - a new hospital. As the plans are being drafted,
negotiations underway and donations requested, one should stop to think for
a moment of a person that has worked closely with the San Pedro Lions Club
to improve the medical system on the island. Yes, you guessed right, we
speak of no other than Dr. Otto Rodriguez.
Dr. Otto Rodriguez was born in the Central American country of El
Salvador. At a young age Dr. Rodriguez felt a strong inclination towards
the medical field and since then knew that this was the path for him. By
the time Dr. Otto was sixteen he was enrolled in the University of
Guadalajara in Mexico where he graduated in 1972. He performed his one-year
required internship at the Social Security Hospital of Reynosa in
Tamaulipas, Mexico and then practiced at the Social Services Hospital of
Manzanillo also in Mexico. In 1975, Dr. Rodriguez received his General
Practitioner's title and returned to his birthplace to share his medical
services.
Dr. Otto Rodriguez opted to come to Belize in 1977 to learn English.
While here, he was offered and accepted a job at the Belize City Hospital.
He quickly adapted to the lifestyle and language of Belize and in 1980
joined the Belize City Lions Club. During one of Dr. Rodriguez's leaves, he
decided to visit San Pedro for a vacation. His good reputation had reached
the ears of the San Pedro Lions Club, who were in need of a resident
doctor. During his vacation, he was approached by the Club and offered the
island doctor's position. It did not take much convincing for Rodriguez to
accept. The combination of friendly people, active Lions Club and island
lifestyle all played a big role in his decision. Dr. Otto moved to San
Pedro in 1982, together with his wife, Mireya and two sons, Otto and Henry.
He immediately settled in and got to work. For the islanders, Dr. Otto was
a blessing from heaven. His being here alleviated financial burdens that
many had to incur during emergencies when a resident doctor was not
available. Dr. Otto worked at the Lions Clinic assisted by Nurse Burns. The
clinic, at that time, consisted of only two rooms and limited medical
supplies and equipment.
As time went by, the clinic continued to improve and expand and so did
Dr. Rodriguez's services. By 1992, he was put in charge of San Pedro's
first and only Hyperbaric Chamber. Dr. Otto went through a series of
intense courses relating to this new field. Some of these courses were done
in Cozumel, Mexico, Duke University in North Carolina and Florida, USA.
Today, he is assisted by Nurse Veronica at the clinic and by Antonia
Guerrero at the Chamber.
As mentioned earlier, Dr. Rodriguez has also been a dedicated Lion
member. He has held the position of President, Drug Awareness District
Chairman and Diabetes Awareness District Chairman. He has been a key
educator devoting a lot of his time to lecture in schools throughout the
island.
Dr. Otto has delivered hundreds of children on the island, bringing
much joy to the proud parents, and unfortunately has also seen some lose
their beloved ones. Today, Dr. Rodriguez is more than a doctor; he is a
friend, a fellow Lion brother and an overall great guy. Our Community feels
lucky that we were blessed with a professional of his capacity who has
aided us in our not so pleasant moments. We appreciate all the work he has
done with each individual patient. For all his long hours, house calls and
emergencies, Our Community says "Thank you, Doc."
AmbergrisCaye.com 
