In 2016, a needs assessment of Todos Santos and the surrounding area found that many families were lacking the means to access pediatric healthcare. We applied for non-profit status in the U.S. as the Padrino Children’s Foundation and our board of directors began to align with the local medical community to target pressing health issues, develop funding, and identify patients in need. In 2022, we were registered as the Mexican non-profit civil association, Fundación Padrino Todos Santos.
Today, Padrino provides healthcare in collaboration with medical professionals practicing locally and others across Mexico. We serve nearly 20% of the local pediatric population who qualify based on financial hardship. Our efforts are funded by caring individuals and grants from US and Mexican charitable organizations. With this support, we treat hundreds of children each year, thus making a lasting impact on our community.
A community in which all children achieve their full potential for health and well-being.
To provide access to professional healthcare and wellness services for economically disadvantaged children in Todos Santos and the surrounding area.
2,002
Beneficiaries
Since 2016, Padrino has changed many lives thanks to its programs and the generosity of its supporters.
38,700
Services
Dra. Mitzy Cervantes is a pediatrician from Mexico City, where she did her residency at Federico Gómez Children’s Hospital. In addition, Dra. Mitzy is a sleep and breastfeeding consultant and particularly skilled in urgent pediatric care. To gain a pediatric specialist was a huge milestone for Padrino, allowing for regular pediatric consultations in Todos Santos, rather than requiring families to travel to La Paz.
Dr. Eduardo was born in Mexico City and studied medicine at the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He completed his postgraduate degree in Pediatrics at the Salvatierra Hospital in La Paz. Through his work with Padrino he would like to provide unique, diverse, and specialized healthcare for our community. He is passionate about reading, constantly learning, and doing health promotion activities.
Andrea is a licensed physical therapist originally from La Paz, but she grew up in Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos, a community that she is very fond of since her family has lived here for several generations. She studied Physiotherapy at the Cuincalli Cultural and Technological Institute and is passionate about helping others, playing volleyball, and working with children. Through her work at Padrino, Andrea wants to contribute to improving the quality of life of patients with movement disorders and functional limitations by providing attention to each of their needs, offering individualized and qualified treatments.
Jessica Ávila is a child psychologist that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Play Therapy to intervene in family dynamics and evaluate a child’s development and emotional well-being. Jessica uses different psychometric scales to stage the development of a child and establish therapeutic goals, performing subsequent evaluations to measure progress and redefine the interventions.
A lifelong resident of our region, Tony has worked and lived in Todos Santos for nearly two decades and she knows our town like no one else. In her work as the social worker at our local Centro de Salud, Tony participates in the promotion of health by educating and advising the population. She gives workshops and talks to children, teenagers, parents, and the elderly. She promotes health programs at local public schools, focusing on prevention and screening, during which she identifies children who may benefit from our programs. As part of the qualification process, Tony carries out a socio-economical evaluation to verify the financial need of the family.
Jacqueline was born in La Paz and studied Psychology at the University of Tijuana, La Paz Campus. Working at Padrino, she would like to contribute empathy and love to the support of beneficiaries and their families who seek a better quality of life by addressing their mental health. She is passionate about social causes and nature, especially the sea.
Leslie is a primary school teacher born in La Paz. She teaches 1st and 2nd grade at the public school Melitón Albáñez. She is very passionate about her profession and is always looking for creative ways to help children learn and develop themselves using their artistic talents. Initially, she has led the formation of our vocational therapies for our Children with Special Needs Program. Since receiving additional training and certifications, she has enabled Padrino to provide much-needed autism spectrum and speech therapies from our clinic.
Edith was born in La Paz and grew up with her family in Todos Santos. She always stood out for being a great student, which led her to study business development and innovation. She worked for the Todos Santos film festival for multiple years, in hospitality locally, and even expanded her skills working in the Basque country of Spain. Edith likes to go to the beach, to swim, and being with animals. Her goal is to contribute something positive and significant to her beloved community, something she is accomplishing as our administrative lead.
Estefany is a Todos Santos native who studied Business Administration at the University of Tijuana La Paz campus. She is a healthy living enthusiast, enjoys outdoor activities, and has a great commitment to learning new skills every day. At Padrino, she is motivated by the desire to make a positive contribution to her community through empathetic and quality healthcare to beneficiaries.
Nayeli is originally from Acapulco, Guerrero, but has lived in La Paz for 25 years. She is a nursing technician and is about to finish her physical therapy degree at Universidad Mundial. She loves to share and is passionate about serving the community through her work at Padrino. In her free time, she enjoys crafts, animals, and learning new things.
Chip Besse joins the board with a robust entrepreneurial background and a firm dedication to community service. Alongside his board role, Chip currently serves as Owner of Tribu Todos Santos, a local hotel known for its commitment to local culture and sustainability. He also holds the position of Partner at Fasthouse, an innovative action-wear clothing brand based in Orange County, California. Chip‘s track record includes significant achievements in community development, notably as Principal at Hideaway Station, where he successfully led the development of an award-winning mixed-use commercial site in Colorado. Additionally, he founded Roma, a 1100-home community in Winter Park, Colorado. Chip’s commitment to education and community welfare is evident through his service on the East Grand School Board and involvement with various philanthropic organizations. With a diverse portfolio encompassing ownership and investment in over 25 businesses, Chip brings valuable insights and leadership to Padrino, ensuring continued excellence in pediatric care and community outreach initiatives.
Colleen Suche is a judge of the Court of King’s Bench in Winnipeg, Canada, and the Northern Territory of Nunavut, she brings a wealth of experience in community involvement in diverse areas-- from elementary school classroom volunteer to leadership positions in national legal and professional organizations. With a deep commitment to children and education she has spearheaded several initiatives and projects in these areas. Now semi-retired she divides her time between Canada and Todos Santos.
In 2014, Dra. Alejandra Peña Salguero arrived in Todos Santos to perform a required year of social service in her 6th year at Mexico City’s National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), School of Medicine. Dr. Alejandra’s passion to improve Mexico’s public health programs, particularly in rural communities, drove a decision to return to Todos Santos and begin a primary care private medical practice. Dra. Alejandra saw the unmet medical needs of the population. When she was approached by the newly formed non-profit group with a shared interest in community health, the Padrino Children’s Foundation began to take shape.
Milt brings many years of experience from his business life as an attorney complemented with leadership experience in the non-profit and fundraising world. Milt retired as Senior Partner with Davis Wright Tremaine in Portland, OR, and served for several years as Indiana University Foundation Board of Directors Vice Chair. As a graduate of Indiana University, Milt has made an amazing contribution of service to the IU Foundation, and both Milt and his wife, Judi, are fully committed to serving their communities.
As a Senior Associate Lawyer with Lex Advisors in Los Cabos, Santiago brings extensive experience in real-estate law, business, and corporate contracts. He is also a founding member of the first private mediation and arbitration center for the state of Baja California Sur. Santiago studied law in Mexico and in The Netherlands. Active in charitable work, he is a part-time law professor teaching business contracts and takes on independent human rights cases.
Rian is Managing Partner and Chief Operations Officer at Brand Federation, a consultancy that focuses on organizational and nonprofit branding. Rian brings her experience working with some of the world’s most influential organizations and nonprofits to support Padrino’s continued growth and development. Rian resides in Los Cabos with her husband Ernesto and her two youngest children.
Association Civil (AC) Associates
Jim Cardillo
Jamie Kelly
Nancy Naigle
Eden Barnett
Ariel Ruiz Castillo
Jess Flood
Jenny Armit
Advisors / Contributors
Javier Mazoy, Attorney at Law
Cinda Peters, Graphic design
Danica Bergagnini, Unnaturally Geisha Studios, Web Design
Allondra Gutierrez, Social Media
Partner Organizations
Los Cabos Children’s Foundation
The Noll Foundation
El Dorado & Chileno Bay Foundations
Genetic Alliance
Services, Medical aids and Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Salvador Frias – Imaging
RADNUMED de BCS SA de CV – Imaging
Diagnostico Lomas La Paz – Imaging
Ultrasonidos Especializados – Imaging
Salud Digna – Laboratory and Imaging
Laboratorio FIDELIS – Laboratory
Prime Lab Fidepaz – Laboratory
St. Jude’s Medical Center Laboratory
DNAGEN – Genetic Laboratory
Diagnologica – Pathology
José Antonio Estrada Valdez/ Optika Todos Santos – Optometrist
Optica Cortes – Optician
Ortopedia Piolin – Orthopedic services
Suministros Medicos y Ortopedicos – Orthopedic services
Farmacia Especialidades – Pharmacy
Farmacia San Benito – Pharmacy
Farmacia San Pablo – Pharmacy
Farmacia Similares – Pharmacy
Farmacia yza – Pharmacy
Baja Farma – Pharmacy
Farmacia Guadalajara – Pharmacy
Equilibrio Farmaceutico – Pharmacy
Dr. Gustavo Rojo – Medical equipment
Medical Specialists
Dr. Dino Roberto Pietropaolo Cienfuegos – Allergist
Dr, Hidekel Jonatan Quino Montes – Audiologist
Dr. Alain Zozoya – Cardio Pediatrician
Dr. Victor Manuel Diaz Alvarez – Pediatric Dentist
Dra. Neiba Lujan – Pediatric Endocrinologist (Chihuahua)
Dra. Paola Medina Luna – Neurogeneticist (Sonora)
Dr. Carlos Alejandro Montes Lahuerta – Neuropediatrician
Dra. Elsa Ivon Perez Florez – Neuropediatrician
Dr. Fausto Miguel Lechuga Medina – Ophthalmologist
Dr. Isaac Zúñiga González – Ophthalmologist
Dra. Miriam Guzman – Child Psychiatrist
Dra. Lauren Karin Miranda Izquierdo – Gynecologist
Dra. Karla Elizabeth Jimenez Díaz – Physical rehabilitation
Dr. Jose Manuel Viveros – Urologist
Dr. Jose Francisco Mariano Gonzalez – Hematologist (CDMX)
Dr. Omar Sanchez – Pediatric urologist (Guadalajara)
Dr. Victor George – Ophthalmologist
Dr. Oscar Moreno – Immunologist (CDMX)
Dr. Rodrigo Moreno – Pediatrician/Geneticist (CDMX)
Dr. Arturo Lopez Yañez – Pediatric dermatologist
Dr. Alexis Eduardo Ponce – Pediatric Orthopedist
Dra. Perla Vanessa Aguilar Urias – Pediatric dermatologist
Irving George – Optometrist
Dr. Liz Becerril – ENT
Dr. Esteban Garcia – Pediatric urologist
Dr. Rolando Armienta – Oncologist
Dr. Diego Pozo
Dra. Zulma Llamas
Hospitals for Surgeries
Sanatorio Maria Luisa de la Peña, La Paz
Benemérito Hospital Salvatierra, La Paz
Fidepaz Hospital, La Paz
Shriners Hospital, CDMX
Clinical Services
Niños del Capitan – dental clinics
Children’s Rehabilitation Institute of Teleton (CRIT)
Mission Plasticos – plastic surgery
Sight is a Right – vision clinics
Who can receive services from Padrino?
Children 18 years or younger in Todos Santos, El Pescadero, and the surrounding communities whose families qualify based on economic need.
What differentiates Padrino from the health care services provided by Centro de Salud?
The Centro de Salud, our local public health clinic, serves the community at modest fees. However, the Centro de Salud does not have a pediatrician and therefore children are commonly referred to Salvatierra Hospital in La Paz. Many uninsured families cannot afford the consultation fee at the Centro de Salud, let alone transportation to a specialist, surgical procedures, diagnostic studies, therapies, or medications. Furthermore, the Centro de Salud does not offer vision or dental care, the treatment of cognitive disorders, or psychotherapy.
Doesn’t Bienestar pay for care for families with limited resources?
Bienestar provides healthcare insurance for the Mexican population who do not have another type of public insurance. However, treatments for many acute and chronic conditions, serious rare conditions, and genetic disorders, are only partially covered or not covered at all. Additionally, to receive this insurance, a child must be registered with the civil registry, which requires a birth certificate. Among our social work services, we offer families assistance in registering their undocumented children.
Are all Padrino services provided free of charge?
Services are provided free of charge. However, families are asked to make a nominal donation based on their socioeconomic evaluation. In cases of lesser economic hardship, a family may volunteer to contribute as much as 30% of the cost of services. Families of the lowest income are not asked to donate. On average, families contribute less than 10% of the total costs of treatments.
Does Padrino only help children in Todos Santos?
The support we provide is available for children in Todos Santos, El Pescadero, and the surrounding communities. For the genetic iHope Program, Padrino serves families from the entire state of Baja California Sur.
How is Padrino funded?
Funding comes from individual donors and grants. Donations pay the salaries of Padrino staff members and external specialists as well as laboratory testing, medications, supplies, and transportation. A small budget is dedicated to overhead expenses which include rent, IT systems, communications, and fees related to maintaining our bi-national non-profit status. Our board is entirely volunteer and uncompensated.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Padrino Children’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the US (EIN #47-3798912). Therefore, your donation is US tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. You will receive a letter at the beginning of each year enabling you to claim your U.S. tax deduction.
Padrino is also a Mexican Asociación Civil (A.C.) with Donatario status registered as Fundación Padrino Todos Santos. Mexican donors are provided facturas for Mexican tax deduction.
Can I donate clothes or food?
While we do not accept material donations for children due to space limitations, we can connect you with a local organization who can. Please contact us at info@padrinocf.org.
Where can we go to ask for help for a local child?
You can reach us at info@padrinocf.org or call us at +52-612-145-0506.
Don’t see what you are looking for?
Please contact us at info@padrinocf.org.
