Our Team
About Us
Meet Our Team
Caring for you and your loved ones.
Our team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, psychologists, and thanatologists. Together, we collaborate to provide comprehensive and compassionate support to our patients and their families, ensuring attentive care across all facets of their well-being.
Dr. María De Lourdes Tejeida Bautista
Medical Director & Founding Board Member
It is an honor to have Dr. Tejeida as our medical director and Palliative Care executive. Dr. Lulú is a specialist in Applied Clinical Bioethics, as well as a specialist in Teaching, she is certified in oncology and hospice Palliative Care by the National Cancer Institute (INCan 2014), in addition to having a Master’s Degree in Public Health and Health Administration. She is a pioneer in the field of Palliative Care and Hospice in the state of Guanajuato, as well as an activist in defense of the rights of patients in vulnerable situations at the end of life.
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Over the past 17 years, Dr. Tejeida has been sharing her passion for Hospice style Palliative Care by leading our training efforts. This effort has resulted in hundreds of health care professionals being trained across Mexico and all Latin America.
With her wealth of experience in Palliative Medicine attending hundreds of patients, Dr. Lulú provides compassionate care and is dedicated to enhancing her patient’s quality of life, and in some cases, their quality of death. This commitment makes her a valuable asset to our team.
Lic. Edna Martha Hamill Meléndez
Public Relations Director & Founding Board Member
Ms. Hamill’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Bioethics, and a certification as a Thanatologist. Martha’s dedication to the defense of bioethics led her to co-found the Pan-American Bioethics Association, where she served as General Coordinator at the National Headquarters.
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Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Thanatology at the Mexican Red Cross in Mexico City. Currently, she shares her expertise as a Professor of Continuing Education at Felipe G. Dobarganes Hospital in San Miguel Allende, and as a Professor and Speaker on Thanatology and Bioethics at various national and international institutions. She is the author of the book, Thanatology and Bioethics in the Face of Human Suffering, contributing significantly to the field.
Dr. Luis Gerardo Vázquez
Medical Doctor and Founder
Dr. Vázquez is a Palliative Care Physician with a Master’s degree in Urgent and Medical Emergencies from the University of Navarra in Spain. He also holds diplomas in Bioethics and Safe Hospital topics related to infrastructure and quality of health care delivery. Additionally he is certified by the American Heart Association for Latin America and has instructor credentials for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) courses.
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Currently, Dr. Vázquez holds the position of Medical Director for Emergency Services at the Red Cross in San Miguel de Allende, Gto. where he has been a volunteer for over 30 years, which demonstrates his dedication to pre-hospitalization services, emergency medical services and healthcare leadership.
Lic. Carla María Cadena Ríos
Administrative Director
With a degree in Administration from the UAQ and a Practical Diploma in Groundwater from the UNAM Geosciences Center, Carla combines administrative experience and technical knowledge.
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In 2019, she was the Administrative Director for the 1st International Congress on Palliative Care in San Miguel de Allende, Gto. themed “A Pending Subject, Mitigating Suffering,” highlighting her leadership in event coordination.
Dedicated to community service, Carla also collaborates on social impact projects at the Midday Rotary Club. She is an example of a professional committed to administrative and operational coordination that impacts the delivery of patient care and promotes social impact initiatives in other areas of interest.
Lic. Rocío del Carmen Arredondo Mendoza
Psychologist
Providing vital psychological care to patients and their families, Rocío uses her experience to enhance the patient’s quality of life by delivering care with a strong humanistic approach. She reaffirms our commitment to an empathetic and compassionate philosophy during the most challenging stage of life… the end of life.
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With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, specializing in Thanatology, and extensive academic training that includes “Ontological Coaching,” “Care for Caregivers of the Elderly,” “Management of Grief Situations with a Solutions Focus,” and “Thanatology: Managing Losses in the Health Sector, Rocío is a valuable asset to our team.
Beatriz Tejeida Bautista
Assistant Nurse
Betty works as a Nursing Assistant at Hospice Care Mitigare and is certified in the End of Life Nursing Course (ELNEC), a national and international educational initiative aimed at improving the standards of Palliative Care.
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Betty’s dedication and compassion are evident in her care, counseling, and training of families and caregivers to improve home care and reduce stress and worry for families, which underscores her commitment to improving the quality of life for patients facing end-of-life challenges.
Lic. Paulina Tejeida Bautista
Nutritionist
A graduate of Universidad Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Paulina earned a Bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition, with additional diplomas in geriatric and cancer nutrition.
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She has experience in caring for patients with nutritional needs in chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes and chronic kidney failure, as well as in chronic infectious diseases like HIV, and in pediatric nutrition. Her area of interest focuses on designing special and specific nutritional support for patients with complex cases.
“Hospice care is about more than helping people die with dignity, it’s about helping them live out life with love.”
— Serving Life/OWN Documentary Club
“I get to accompany people at an amazingly challenging time… when people have nothing to lose in being fully themselves. This reality draws me to be fully present with each one.”
— Unknown
Meet Our Directors
Guiding Hospice Care Mitigare’s Mission & Strategy
Hospice Care Mitigare’s Board of Directors is comprised of healthcare professionals and others with administrative training and business backgrounds. Together, they are committed to to maintaining home care for patients and establishing a specialized center dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for patients with advanced, incurable, or terminal illnesses.
Les Matthews
President
Les Matthews, a seasoned hospice care professional was a partner in five prominent hospices across the Midwest and Southwest USA, shaping the field with his strategic leadership. Currently he serves as a board member of The Foundation for Hospice Care, USA, advocating for Palliative Care advancements and enhancing end-of-life experiences. Retired and residing in San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Matthews actively leads as Board President of Hospice Care Mitigare, demonstrating his enduring commitment to healthcare management and hospice care. It is his managerial support that has solidified the direction for the construction of this first end-of-life care center: Hospice Care Mitigare.
Lee Carter
Past President
Richard Lee Carter, a Founding Board Member and former president of Hospice Care Mitigare, has been a pioneer in introducing the culture of Hospice and Palliative care in Guanajuato. Currently he is the project leader for the construction of our Hospice Care Mitigare Center. His humanism and motivation have been pivitol in achieving this goal. In the US he led the construction committee for a Palliative Care center at Shenandoah Hospice in 2005, overseeing garden planning, fundraising, and project execution. His involvement extended to fostering relationships with Hospices nationwide, including Hospice San Diego and Hospice of Petaluma, enriching his understanding of Hospice philosophy and management practices. Carter’s efforts underscore his substantial impact on enhancing hospice facilities and advancing best practices in the field.
Laura Rodriguez Torres
Secretary
Laura, a native of San Miguel de Allende, Gto., draws inspiration from her hometown’s multicultural richness. With a degree in Cultural Sciences, she boasts over 25 years of experience organizing cultural, gastronomic, and social events throughout Mexico. Experienced in nonprofit work, Laura brings a deep passion for community engagement to Hospice Care Mitigare. As Event Coordinator at the Natural Reserve of Cañada de la Virgen, she connects with visitors from around the world seeking solace and spiritual enrichment in nature, fostering memorable experiences.
Edna Martha Hamill Meléndez
Past President
Professor Melendez, a founding Board member, not only serves on the Board of Directors but also brings extensive experience in thanatology and ethics to our Palliative Care team. Her deep knowledge and commitment ensure that we continue to provide compassionate and ethical care to our patients and their families.
Brian Voris
Member-at-Large
Brian Voris, a retired businessman, is actively involved in the development of the new Hospice Care center, leveraging his business ownership and management expertise. He ensures the center meets the highest standards, enhancing Hospice Care Mitigare’s capabilities and reach. Brian also applies his marketing skills to promote community engagement. His involvement strengthens Hospice Care Mitigare’s infrastructure, fostering growth and enhancing support for those in need within the community.
Dra. Silvia del Carmen Chavira Estefan
Member-at-Large
Dra. Silvia is a physician in Palliative Care in Oncology and Hopsice at the National Institute of Cancerology (INCan, 2014). She played a pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic by collaborating with our Tele-Hospice program, which serves rural communities as a necessary strategy for maintaining remote care. She has extensive experience in Virtual Medical Care, call centers, and home visits. Her knowledge in cannabinoid management compliments her expertise in supporting patients in Palliative Care. With over a decade of experience in Palliative Care and Virtual medicine, her contributions are invaluable to Hospice Care Mitigare and its patients.
Janice Zimolzak
Member-at-large
Janice brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as an international fashion business owner in NYC and Milan, now focusing her expertise on guiding fundraising efforts for Hospice Care Mitigare. With a background as Director of Development for multiple non-profits in the USA and involvement with local organizations like Feed the Hungry, she has made a significant impact over her 20 years in San Miguel. Janice also spent 5 years publishing a local, bilingual culture and arts magazine, underscoring her commitment to community enrichment.
Lisa Muhn
Member-at-Large
Lisa, a former creative director with over 40 years of marketing and design expertise, brings a wealth of experience to Hospice Care Mitigare. Having worked across the United States, Spain, and Chile, Lisa leverages her international background to enrich her role. Born in Venezuela and fluent in both English and Spanish, she has been a longtime resident of San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Committed to her passion, Lisa has generously applied her design talents to support various local non-profits with their promotional efforts.
