Dr. Peter Rojas: 'I love the ability to do charity to help'
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
7 Comments
- •
Favorite- •
The father-daughter duo work in the operating room, while the mother is busy in post op.
The scene could be in any modern hospital, but it is not. It is part of Dr. Peter Rojas' annual mission trip to Patzun, Guatemala. He was joined on this trip by his wife, a nurse, and his daughter, a medical student.
Rojas, a Victoria surgeon, is one of 21 community leaders honored Thursday night at the Greater Victoria Coalition's Wonders of Victoria Awards and Academic Scholarship Celebration.
Rojas and a team from Corpus Christi spend their vacations on the mission trips to Patzun to perform hernia surgeries.
For the first time, Kristin Rojas, now a first-year medical student at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School, assisted her father during surgery.
"It was particularly special to me because I got to be in the OR with my dad, and by then I knew I was going to medical school," Kristin said.
Kristin's mother and Rojas' wife, Julie Rojas, last year worked in the recovery room while in Guatemala.
"The people there are so appreciative," Julie said.
Rojas' trip also includes helping migrant workers.
His daughter remembers as a child the pounds and pounds of strawberries her family would receive as gratitude for the health care her father had provided to the field workers.
"He is really passionate about bringing health care to underserved communities," said Kristin, who would like to follow in her father's footsteps as a surgeon.
"My main focus is going to be to bring health care to underserved areas," said Kristin, who wants to be a plastic surgeon with a focus on reconstructive surgery.
Rojas's eldest daughter, Andrea Rojas Gomez, was also able to take a trip with her father to Guatemala. She is a neonatal nurse.
"The people were so thankful, they come up to him and you can see it in their eyes, almost like their praying," Gomez said.
Rojas added, "I love the ability to do charity to help. There's not many professions that give you that freedom."
Although Rojas never pressured his children to pursue a career in medicine, he has always been a big proponent of education.
"It wasn't a question of going to college, it was of where," said Damian Rojas, Rojas' only son and a commercial insurance producer.
Rojas' son decided to pursue a degree in history.
"We have a bit of a different relationship," Damian said.
Being the only son, Damian got to accompany his father and his friends to their land in West Texas.
"He always brought everybody together," Damian said.
He said his father's cooking ability is something that brings the family together, but added whoever is eating should be prepared to clean up.
"He can make mole from scratch. We sometimes go all over San Antonio looking for the spices," his wife said.
Hilary Rojas, his youngest daughter and a sophomore at St. Edwards in Austin, spoke about her father with pride.
"I always brag to my sociology class," she said.
His youngest daughter said she remembers her father attending her barrel races, and if somebody fell off the horse, her father would immediately check their well-being.
"If someone got hurt he would run out there and make sure they were OK," Hilary said.
Rojas grew up with six brothers and three sisters of parents who were migrant workers. Rojas, the ninth child, remembers his father being sent away after being diagnosed with tuberculosis.
"Back then they didn't have the medicine we have today, so they sent him to a sanatorium," Rojas said.
His mother then took care of the family and allowed for Rojas to finish his education.
Rojas attended school where a friend helped him learn English, and both decided early on they wanted to become doctors.
"I have a passionate love for medicine," Rojas said. "We both went on to school together, and did one of our residencies together."
However, Rojas' friend died tragically before becoming a doctor.
Rojas spoke of his friend during his speech at the award ceremony.
Comments
The GVCC Inc, is a newly formed group of individuals whom I hope will award all money raised from this event to the intended recipients. What has happened in the past with the individuals running this organization has been astronomical producer & entertainment fees which wipe out most of the money raised for these non profits.
November 6, 2009 at 3:16 p.m.I have had the honor to work for Dr. Rojas for 5 years and he is truly a passionate doctor and person. He is devoted to helping people and educating everyone. He deserves to be honored, way to go Dr. Rojas!
Sherri L
November 6, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.Could we see some charity here in the crossroads for the ones that fall threw the cracks. Don't get me wrong not a free for all, but those who really need it. It's great to see someone go from migrant worker to Dr. I don't know of any migrant workers that push their children to grow-up to be migrant workers. Way to go Dr. Rojas.
November 6, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.Congratulations to all those honored at this memorable event. The Greater Victoria Civic Coalition is to be commended for their efforts to improve our community.
The story about Dr. Rojas and his family is very touching. It was through scholarships and his tireless dedication that he has been able to attain this high level of service, helping to improve healthcare and education in our community.
November 6, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.The Greater Victoria Civic Coalition is compromised of different businesses.
November 6, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.Yesterday was their first awards and scholarship event.
I spoke to Rick Perkins who is in charge of the marketing and a member of the Greater Victoria Civic Coalition he said the money raised at the event would be split between-Victoria College, University of Houston in Victoria, and a scholarship open to all Victoria high school students. He was hoping to announce the amount of each scholarship yesterday.
Lourdes Vasquez,
I am trying to find out a bit more about "The Greater Victoria Civic Coalition Inc"
November 6, 2009 at 9:13 a.m.They seemed to have spent alot of $$$ in advertising this awards ceremony.....
Ques 1: Where can I get information on past
awarded scholarships
Ques 2: Who can and where does one apply
Ques 3: Who are the officers of GVCC INC
Ques 4: I found a website that indicates GVCC INC
is a privately owned company and employs
a staff of 12, Who is the owner? And it
also states an annual revenue of $260,000,
that is why I'm asking about awarded
scholarships, and to whom.
I'll be checking on here for answers.
Thanks