Gutierrez: I miss working at Hope

EDINBURG, TEXAS – Legendary Rio Grande Valley physician Alberto “Beto” Gutierrez says he misses not working at Hope Family Health Center any more.

Dr. Gutierrez retired from the clinic earlier this year. For the last 15 years he was medical director of the McAllen facility. For nine years before that he volunteered his time to help out, usually for two days a week.

In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Gutierrez explained how his association with the clinic came about.

“About 24 and a half years ago, I was having lunch with a man named Alonzo Cantu, and we’re talking about the Valley, and he says, ‘would you mind going over to the Hope clinic? They need help.’ I said, what’s the Hope clinic? He said, ‘go find it somewhere in South McAllen.’ 

“So, I searched, and I found the Hope clinic, and I volunteered to treat poor people, and about 15 or 16 years ago, I became medical director, and I was there ever since. And after 24 years and at 84 years of age, I retired a month ago, and I had a wonderful lady take over from me.”

Gutierrez said it has been a very rewarding experience working at Hope.

“It was a very humbling experience taking care of people that are so poor that they cannot afford to see a private doctor. And we treated them as I did my private patients, always with a lot of respect and dignity. And I had a wonderful staff helping me.”

Gutierrez pointed out that the Hope clinic was started by a nurse and a priest 28 years ago.

“They started it for the same reason, to try to treat people that could not see a doctor. The Valley, the county, Hidalgo, Starr County are among the Top 10 poorest counties in the whole United States. So, we have a lot of unfunded folks here in the Valley.”

The Valley faces some unique healthcare challenges, Gutierrez explained.

“Diabetes is one of the worst things that we have here in the Valley. Diabetes nationwide is 19, 20, percent. Here in the Valley, it’s a little over 50 percent. So, our goal at the Hope Clinic was to keep that diabetes, that sugar level under control,” Gutierrez said.

“Obesity is another problem. Hypertension is another problem. I’m not trying to brag but I feel good about trying to get those people under control, give them a few more years of life. And by the way, as we’re talking about it, I miss not being at Hope clinic anymore. It’s been a big part of my life.”

As he said this, Gutierrez choked up. 

“I missed the staff. I became very close to a lot of the patients. Some of them were there with me for 10, 15, years. The same ones over and over,” he said.

“It was very heartwarming at my farewell party that we had three weeks ago to see those patients show up. We both had tears in our eyes knowing I probably won’t see them again.”

Gutierrez still does consultancy work for DHR Health and has high praise for the impact the health system has had in the Valley over the past few decades. But he acknowledges that Hope is “very, very, close to my heart.”

Gutierrez was born in Rio Grande City but had his own medical practice in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for many years. Asked if he realized how severe the health challenges of the Valley were when he returned home, Gutierrez said:

“I did not. I had been out of the Valley for 40 years. It had changed a lot. I had no idea the number of poor people that we have here in the Valley, and so I almost felt it was a privilege and a duty to be able to deliver health care to these poor people. And I think I’m a better person for it,” Gutierrez said.

“I say, thank you, gracias, knowing that they didn’t pay a penny (for their medical help) and getting what I think was good health care. So yes, I do miss it, and hopefully it will keep on going.”

Gutierrez said Hope went through tough times a few years back.

“We had trouble a few years. In fact, 15 years ago, we were broke. We are not affiliated with the government in any way. We depend on donations and grants. We were broke, and so I met with this man, Cantu, and he had a lady in Marissa Castaneda and she started Fishing for Hope tournament, raising money for the Hope clinic. And every year it gets better. This last year, our tournament gave us almost $400,000. You know,  it cost us about 100,000 a month to take care of people, paying the staff.”

Gutierrez said that when he started at Hope there were four doctors on board. Heady times.

“Slowly, they retired or left, and I was left as the only one. Very busy. But then, the (UT-Rio Grande Valley) medical school came into the Valley, and the residents came over to help me. That’s been a big, big help.”

It was pointed out to Gutierrez that the poverty level has dropped a little in Hidalgo County. In fact, it has dropped 2.4 percent over the last five years. Gutierrez said that is good but there is still a long, long way to go.

“The numbers of unfunded patients continues to grow. I think last year we 7,000 to 8,000 patients at the Hope clinic, and the numbers keep rising.”

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