by John Cromer, M.D., President of Salud Hondu Board of Directors
Now that 2025 has ended, I want to share with you a brief summary of highlights from this past year’s activities. Before doing so, I want again to thank you for your ongoing support and generosity, which sustains the quality medical care which Dr. Marco and his staff provide at Clinica Santa Maria in Reitoca, Honduras. As you know, without the care which our staff provides to over 5000 patients yearly, there would be no ongoing, available care to those whom we serve. This reality is captured in a letter which I shared with our donors a few months ago. It was written to me by a third-year medical student in Florida who is from Honduras. Here is part of what he said about Clinica Santa Maria: “Your work is admirable; thank you so much for helping my country. Our situation [in Honduras] is truly sad, but the efforts of people like you give us hope. Thank you so much.”
Below are highlights from this past year:
Fundraisers
- Dec-Jan – Holiday Fundraiser
- May 17 – Coastal Succulent Teacup Fundraiser
- May 24 – Boston Butt Day Fundraiser
- June 28 – Ladies’ Specialty Bourbon-Tasting Fundraiser
- December 7 – Ladies’ Poetry Reading and Social Brunch Fundraiser
- Nov-Dec – Annual Holiday Teacup “Cherish the Memories” Fundraiser
These fundraisers, which Penny Cromer plans and oversees, raised over $25,000 in 2025! Coupled with the critical support which you and other ongoing donors provide, we are able to continue the services which our medical staff gives and begin to include the important goal of augmenting nutritional support for children in the communities we serve.
Grants
Special grants were received from Electrical Specialist Professionals and from an anonymous donor to focus upon aiding the nutritional needs of at-risk children. These grants totaled $20,000. Additionally, Ironwood Foundation has given large and significant grants to support nutritional supplementation as well. Over $13,000 worth of high-quality nutritional supplements were then transported to Clinica Santa Maria and dispensed to at-risk children. Dr. Marco has recently reported that those receiving the supplements are beginning to thrive and show signs of increased growth and development. He also notes that the children especially like their taste! Plans are to continue and expand the efforts to enhance nutrition supplementation in children.
In June, two other Board members and I traveled to Honduras to transport the children’s food supplements and also to meet with members of the Tegucigalpa Rotary Club to discuss applying for a possible future International Rotary grant for expanding the nutritional supplementation project for at-risk children. That project will require considerable time and effort and collaboration to take place.
Our clinic staff is now using a primary care practice software which we purchased. We also have now subscribed to Starlink to provide ongoing, needed internet access for the medical practice. Dr. Marco is particularly pleased and grateful that his staff and he have this available in their care of patients.
In summary, our Board and all of the staff at Clinica Santa Maria wish to thank you for your wonderful support! We wish for you a blessed and abundant year in 2026!
John
John Cromer, M.D.
President, Board of Directors