Meet Clinical Coordinator for the Dominican Republic – Dr. Patricia Tavares - Part 2

Partnership In Action: Focus on the WSC Clinic in Moca, Dominican Republic

Thanks to a great deal of work and many people involved, the WSC Clinic in Moca, DR has been operating since 2014.  Dr. Patricia Tavares has been an integral part of the project since the beginning. World Spine Care Executive Director, Stefanie Ince, sat down with Pat to hear more about the lessons learned along the way.

This is Part Two of a series. See Part One of this interview here.

Dr. Patricia Tavares treating a patient in the Moca Clinic

WSC: It sounds like the WSC Clinic took a huge amount of work to launch. What has been the best part of watching the DR clinic grow?

DT: The best part has been getting to meet volunteers from all over the world who have dedicated so much of their time to sustain the clinic through its various ups and downs. It is also nice to know that when I return to the clinic, as I do occasionally, I see locals that are now friends, and a community that is now familiar with our clinic and they are grateful to us for the services we provide.

WSC: What have you learned from this experience?

DT: I have learned that projects like this are important but very difficult to carry out since there are so many individuals involved, and at times, you are working with many different contacts and local governments with their own priorities. They also are highly dependent on the generosity of many people who are willing to give up their time and livelihoods to volunteer.

WSC:Why do you believe so strongly in World Spine Care’s mission?

DT: It is logical that effective spinal care that we are familiar with is lacking in many parts of the world. Our short-term outreaches, similar to many medical missions that are provided regularly in such countries, are not a long-term solution to the health problems that are typically treated. 

Spinal disorders are the leading cause of disability in the world, and WSC's mission of providing sustainable,evidence-based primary care for spinal disorders all over the world is the best approach to addressing the problem.

A woman carries a package on her head in the Dominican Republic

WSC: What excites you about the future for WSC?

DT: I'm excited to be involved in future projects that WSC creates.  I understand the importance of being part of the solution to such an important issue, and I am honoured to be working with the great minds, researchers, and volunteers that make up World Spine Care. There is still a lot of important work to do!