Bergen Nurse Aids Those In Need In The Dominican Republic

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Maria Suarez brings healing, life, and a caring spirit to others thousands of miles away. Nothing stops her.

Suarez, a Rutherford resident, has volunteered with Waves of Health for more than a decade to the Dominican Republic. She serves on the nonprofit's board of directors.

Suarez helps provide free medical care and medication to more than a 1,000 patients every time she goes.

Several teams visit about five clinics a week, starting in the capital city of Dajabon and then moving to smaller community clinics in other towns.

"These are people who need help and don’t have the resources or ability to go places for treatment," said Suarez. "We are helping people on every level and the experience is amazing."

Suarez helps educate residents about sexually transmitted diseases and prenatal care, provides eyeglasses to those in need, and makes sure children younger than 5 years old receive nutritional supplements.

Helping in the numerous ways she has for as long as she has, Suarez has a special insight into the people who she treats.

"We often get to know the whole family. So, on one trip someone might be pregnant, and we will educate them about prenatal care. The next trip we get know the baby and teach them about infant care," Suarez said. "After a few years we are seeing the children who are five or six years old. It is a totally different aspect of nursing that makes it much more intimate for me."

Suarez has even volunteered while battling against breast cancer.

"I love what I do, and can't foresee ever not doing it," Suarez said. "I have always helped people since I was a kid. It is nice to pay it forward and giving without expectations is good food for the soul. Helping others is a part of who I am."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com