clinic de Familia La Romana

Clínica de Familia La Romana is a non-profit clinic in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Founded in 2004, it provides health services through 10 specialized departments. The clinic follows a family-centered care model that combines medical treatment with social support.

Accreditations and Institutional Research

The clinic's laboratory holds ISO 9001 certification. This ensures high standards for quality management in diagnostic testing. The facility also operates a Comprehensive Care Service registered by DIGECITSS.

Research is central to the clinic's mission. It maintains active partnerships with several major institutions:

• University of Texas Medical Branch
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of California San Francisco

The clinic received the Brugal Believes in its People 2020 Award for its impact on community health and HIV prevention.

Specialized Care and HIV Services

Clínica de Familia La Romana is a primary center for HIV care and prevention in the region. The HIV program includes antiretroviral treatment and counseling for patients and their families. HIV testing is free for all patients.

A specialized program reduces vertical transmission of HIV. It supports pregnant women through consultations, medications, and formula milk for newborns. Pediatric specialists Dr. Erika Mejía and Dr. Carlos Solimán provide ongoing care for children affected by HIV.

The Integral Health program offers male-friendly sexual health services. These include diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and urological diseases. The program also provides risk reduction education and promotes preventive health measures.

For chronic conditions, the clinic offers dedicated consultations:

• Nephrology and Internal Medicine led by Dr. Anabel Rosario
• Pediatric Pneumology and Perinatology
• Cardiology and pre-surgical cardiological evaluations
• Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition

Psychology and Counseling

Psychology services are available for HIV-positive clients and the general public. Specialists conduct individual evaluations, couples therapy, and family therapy. The department also performs learning evaluations and psychological testing for children and adults.

Counseling is provided before and after every HIV test. A community work team extends care beyond the facility through home visits. This team provides palliative care and adherence support.

Diagnostic Technologies

The clinical laboratory performs HIV viral load and CD4 testing. Patients also have access to various imaging and diagnostic tools:

• Echocardiogram and Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Doppler studies and Sonography
• 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)
• Holter monitoring and X-ray imaging
• HPV DNA High Risk testing and Endometrial biopsy

These tools support early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and cervical dysplasia. The laboratory is the only department currently holding ISO 9001 certification.

Services for Patients

The medical team includes 35 doctors across multiple specialties. The clinic primarily serves the local community but coordinates care with Francisco A. Gonzalvo Maternity and Children's Hospital. It also serves as a training site for international students and volunteers. Rotations and internships are available in various clinical departments.