As young adults, healthcare workers leave Puerto Rico, doctor delivers care in remote, underserved communities
One house contained four residents over 65, two of them blind, and the other two severely diabetic amputees in wheelchairs. Despite living in a crumbling home with no assistance, they greeted us with joy, grateful for our presence and the care we provided.
- 2 weeks ago
October 5, 2024
Doctor PJ Sin Suela visiting patients in underserved areas of Puerto Rico. | Photo courtesy PJ Sin Suela
ISLA VIEQUES, Puerto Rico — People leave my country every day, chasing a better future. Much of our young talent departs with them. I stay because Puerto Rico remains the most beautiful place in the world, and I cannot imagine being anywhere else.
I work as a full-time musician, but I also serve as a doctor. Through an organization called Direct Relief, I travel to underserved areas of Puerto Rico, bringing medical care to those who need it most. In this way, I give back to my homeland and repay the island which gives me so much.
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Direct relief: providing medical assistance in remote areas
I first felt a strong call to serve in 2017, when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico. For six months, two to three times a week, I travelled to different areas, providing medical aid and essential supplies like paper, towels, gloves, toothbrushes, water, and ice.
Witnessing people living in devastation, I realized how crucial it becomes to be present and help. While many scaled back their efforts over time, I knew the need persisted. I committed myself to continuing this work, determined to assist for as long as possible.
In Puerto Rico, a significant number of doctors, professionals, and young people migrated away from the island. We faced hurricanes, earthquakes, and then the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a U.S. territory, many people began to seek better opportunities abroad, especially in the U.S. where salaries remain higher. This left fewer professionals to care for those in need, and families became separated.
I often meet elderly individuals over 75, alone because their children and grandchildren moved away. The sadness in their eyes becomes unmistakable and many lack family support. We need more people to stay and help Puerto Rico. For me, staying feels natural because I love this island. I understand why others leave for better opportunities, but being Puerto Rican fills me with pride and a sense of duty. My two sisters live in the U.S. I remain the only child here to help my parents.
Bringing hope and health: “I make sure to enter with a smile and positive energy”
Two years ago, I started working with Direct Relief, travelling to remote areas to provide medical assistance. On my most recent trip, I left early in the morning, drove an hour and a half to Ceiba, then took a ferry. With my medical supplies in hand, I enjoyed the beautiful landscape and the wind on my face. We arrived at Vieques Island, home to about 8,000 people but without a hospital. In emergencies, residents must travel by boat or plane to receive proper care elsewhere.
Together with the rest of the team, we set up a health clinic for the residents. I connected with community leaders, who informed me about elderly or mobility-impaired individuals needing home visits. With a list in hand, I ventured out, unsure of what I might encounter. One house contained four residents over 65, two of them blind, and the other two severely diabetic amputees in wheelchairs. Despite living in a crumbling home with no assistance, they greeted us with joy, grateful for our presence and the care we provided.
I always try to bring a bit of happiness when I visit. The energy I bring into each home becomes crucial. I make sure to enter with positivity, which almost always results in a smile in return. People trust me and share their stories, and we often end up joking as if we had known each other for years. Before I leave, they often gift me fruit like avocados, papayas, and mangos, creating a warm, personal connection that feels special.
Music influences me as a doctor by making me more
sentimental and connected to people
On these tours, I visit around 10 houses daily. I check each patient’s blood pressure, sugar levels, and general health, ensuring they take their medications correctly. I also ask if they have a primary care physician, and often, patients have not seen one in a long time due to a lack of available appointments. In those cases, I call their doctor and work to secure an upcoming appointment. I seek to do everything I can to help them get the care they need.
Some days I do leave feeling sad, grasping the difficulty of certain realities, but I try to shake it off. I do what I can to help. Sometimes I return home drained and in need of a break. These harsh realities, which many in Puerto Rico might not be aware of, help me grow as a person. They inspire me to write about the stories I encounter and find beauty in everything. The more real situations I experience, the better I can express myself through art and storytelling.
Music influences me as a doctor by making me more sentimental and connected to people. It keeps me from being a detached physician, as I take my work to heart. It feels like more of a calling than a job. Whether I get paid or not doesn’t matter. I always felt that music and medicine share a deep connection with people. Just like listeners open up to me through my songs, patients confide in me, even on our first meetings. Both roles allow for a genuine connection and trust.
Doctor believes Puerto Rico may be on the verge of a rebirth
From a young age, I devoted myself to music and science. I expressed myself by writing lyrics for reggaetoneros and recorded my first verse in a studio, feeling an instant connection. Soon, I recorded songs at home, eagerly sharing them with friends. Meanwhile, my fascination with the human body led me to study veterinary medicine.
However, the emotional toll of working with sick animals pushed me to seek a different path. Luckily, I started shadowing a doctor my father knew and felt an instant connection. Patients opened up to me, and I loved helping them. This led me to switch to medicine, and I dedicated eight years to studying it.
Today, service remains a guiding principle in my life, instilled in me by my mother. She constantly rescued stray dogs, bringing seven to 10 home at a time to care for until she found them new homes. Whether picking up trash at the beach or recycling long before it became common, her actions left a lasting impression on me. Her dedication to helping others and caring for the environment shaped my sense of responsibility, which continues to influence the way I live and work today.
My latest album titled Every Era Has Its Charm, honors a phrase my dad often said. I believe we need the sad and challenging moments in life to grow and truly appreciate the high moments. Right now, Puerto Rico is experiencing a patriotic rebirth, with youth eager for change and progress. While many have left, others find ways to return or support us from afar. I will continue helping however I can, believing that collaboration is key to building a more united, successful society.
