Faith gives fullness of meaning to Carmen García’s vocation as a doctor
Dr. Carmen García finds her fulfillment in helping others, especially parents whose little children are ill.
Her office in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York is a medical clinic, but also a kind of school. For her, teaching parents is fundamental; she wants to “teach so as to cure together.”
Carmen García is one of those heroic doctors who dedicate their lives discreetly to attend the people most in need in New York. She is inspired by her faith in God.
A PEDIATRICIAN… SINCE THE AGE OF 4
“I always wanted to be a doctor. Since I was 4 years old, I remember myself saying I was going to be a doctor, and a pediatrician. Always… since I was very young.”
“I always practiced on my younger siblings, on dolls… I loved all the clubs that had to do with the sciences, and I used to do experiments.”
“I’ve always been interested in helping others, and I see this profession as an opportunity to help people in need.”
CHOSEN BY GOD
“I feel chosen by God. It’s not that I feel like I’m better than anyone else, but I feel chosen by God to be able to help people, and I like helping people; I like to serve.”
“Every day when I get up, I thank God for a new day.”
EMOTIONS ARE IMPORTANT
“We have to educate patients so that they know what they have to do with their children. Not just when there’s a serious illness, but also in the normal process of development. Not just in dealing with health, but also in the area of emotions, in the area of faith, in the area of society.”
“Educating patients is important because that way we practice the best medicine: preventative medicine.”
SEEING A PATIENT’S FAITH
“When a patient comes because he’s sick, it’s not just about his physical health. It’s also important that you see that patient’s faith.”
Dr. Carmen García is a member of the SOMOS Care Community network of doctors http://somoscommunitycare.org/