HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Dr. C. Luis Vásquez and Mrs. Mary Vasquez
Dr. Vasquez’s remarkable journey began in 1961 when he graduated from San Fernando Medical School at the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru. After completing postgraduate training in Cardiology in the United States, he went on to have a distinguished career practicing medicine in Chicago. But it was in 2005, following his retirement, that he made a life-changing visit to Yantalo, his mother's hometown.
Shocked to find that living conditions, including access to healthcare, had not improved in 50 years, Dr. Vasquez was inspired by the memory of his mother, Adelina Soplin, to take action. This moment marked the beginning of the Yantalo Peru Foundation and the Adelina Soplin Clinic, a lasting tribute to her legacy of giving back.
The clinic has become a cornerstone of the Yantalo and Moyobamba communities, providing life-saving healthcare to thousands of people. Since 2011, more than 1,260 surgical procedures have been performed, and over 2,000 patients have been treated thanks to the dedication of the medical teams from the USA and Peru who visit the clinic each year. At the heart of this monumental effort are Dr. Luis and Maria Vasquez, whose tireless work has ensured that the people of Yantalo have access to the care they so desperately need.
Dr. Vasquez’s passion and perseverance have been an inspiration to us all. Even after recovering from a serious illness in 2018, he returned to Yantalo to personally greet volunteers—a powerful reminder of his deep commitment to this cause.