Texas Children's Global Health Fundación Baylor Argentina
2024 at a Glance
8 Years in Operation, Añelo, Neuquén Province, Argentina
3,692 People Reached
142 Health Professionals Trained
27 Staff Employed
Voices of Hope: Stories of Strength, Healing, and Resilience
A mother’s fear turns to joy as Fundación Baylor Argentina’s care helps Zoe overcome a congenital heart condition, bringing hope and relief.
When Belén Opazo moved to Añelo with her partner, she envisioned a bright future. Soon after, they learned they were expecting their first child, Zoe. Her pregnancy was smooth, monitored by Fundación Baylor Argentina’s obstetricians, until Zoe refused to arrive. At 42 weeks, Belén was hospitalized due to lack of movement, and an emergency cesarean brought Zoe into the world on November 4, 2020, weighing 3.8 kilos (8 lbs, 6 oz).
At first, everything seemed fine—until Belén noticed Zoe struggling. “She wouldn’t eat. She slept too much. Feeding her was a struggle,” she recalls. Fundación Baylor Argentina’s well-child screening program stepped in, and Dr. Javier Mozzi, a pediatrician and child cardiologist, detected a heart murmur.
“During early screenings, we diagnosed congenital heart disease using the hospital ultrasound,” Dr. Mozzi explains.
Fear set in. Month after month, they monitored Zoe closely, tracking her breathing and weight gain. Fundación Baylor Argentina provided constant care, with follow-ups, WhatsApp check-ins, and reassurance.
Then, at Zoe’s first birthday check-up, everything changed. “The doctor looked at me and said, ‘What needed to close, has closed.’”
At her check-up, the doctor looked at me and said, ‘What needed to close, has closed.’”
Relief flooded Belén. Zoe’s heart condition had healed on its own.
Now, Zoe is thriving, and Belén is forever grateful. “The doctors take their time with each patient. They truly care,” she says. She now encourages other mothers to trust Fundación Baylor Argentina’s care.
“We started a chain,” she smiles. “And now, every one of them is just as happy as I am.”
A mother’s selfless act of donating breast milk transforms lives, proving that even small gestures can make a profound impact.
Before the pandemic, Virginia Cabrera made a decision—one that would change not only her life but the lives of countless newborns. Inspired by stories she read online, she planned to donate her excess breast milk. But as the world shut down, so did her plans.
Life carried on, and Virginia and her husband, Nicolás, found themselves navigating parenthood with Ramiro, now a toddler. Committed to sustainability, they chose cloth diapers, which led Virginia to an unexpected encounter. While purchasing diapers, she met a mother of twins who shared a life-changing story—her babies, born prematurely, had relied on donor milk to survive.
“That moment stuck with me,” Virginia recalls. “She told me how much it meant to her, and I knew—I had to do it.”
When their daughter Malú was born, the time felt right. She reached out to the Fundación Baylor Argentina and the Neuquén Human Milk Bank. “They made everything so easy. They even came to pick up the milk because, with two little ones, leaving the house is impossible!” she laughs.
Her first donation: three small bottles. “Small, but important,” she says, her words capturing the quiet power of her gift.
Small, but important.”
And she’s not stopping. “As long as I can, I’ll keep donating.”
Virginia’s story is more than a donation—it’s a testament to selfless love, proving that even the smallest acts of kindness can nourish lives beyond our own.
Chevron’s partnership with Fundación Baylor Argentina strengthens maternal and child healthcare, driving impactful community development through collaboration and commitment.
Dante Ramos, Corporate Affairs Manager for Latin America at Chevron Argentina, reflects on the powerful impact of Fundación Baylor Argentina—an initiative Chevron has proudly supported since its inception in 2017.
"Fundación Baylor Argentina has been an extraordinary partner in implementing the maternal and child health program supported by Chevron. Their professionalism and efficiency have decisively contributed to bringing benefits to the community," Ramos emphasizes.
Fundación Baylor Argentina has been an extraordinary partner in implementing the maternal and child health program supported by Chevron. Their professionalism and efficiency have decisively contributed to bringing benefits to the community."
For Chevron Argentina, investing in communities goes beyond financial contributions. It’s about collaboration—aligning with local authorities, health institutions, and organizations to identify needs, design targeted programs, and implement sustainable solutions.
"The success of the program is, to a large extent, thanks to the joint work of all parties—the Foundation, the Ministry of Health of the Province of Neuquén, the hospitals and municipalities of Añelo and Rincón de los Sauces, our partner YPF, and the private sector," he explains.
Over the years, Chevron’s partnership with Fundación Baylor Argentina has transformed healthcare access in Añelo, Rincón de los Sauces, and Neuquén’s Ciudad Industrial neighborhood, strengthening maternal and child health services for thousands.
"We are proud to accompany the Foundation in our shared mission to improve primary healthcare in our communities," Ramos concludes, reinforcing Chevron’s commitment to lasting change.
2023 Annual Report
Explore the achievements, progress, and impact in Fundación Baylor Argentina's latest report.
Notable Programs
Maternal & Child Health Program
Pediatric Emergency Simulation Training
Eye Health & Vision Care Program
Community Health Education & Prevention
General & Preventive Healthcare Services
Discover more about our related programs:
Featured Videos
Leadership & Partnerships
Leadership
Agustina Perez, M.B.A.
Country Manager Consultant
Partnerships
YPF
Tecpetrol
ExxonMobil
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Children's Hospital
Province of Neuquén - Ministry of Health
Municipality of Añelo
Añelo Hospital
La Meseta Añelo Health Center
Municipality of Rincón de los Sauces
Rincón de los Sauces Hospital
Castro Rendón Hospital
Cutral Co Hospital
Featured Stories
Global Health symposium draws more than 500 participants for an exchange of ideas on innovation
Texas Children’s Global Health Network, in partnership with the Baylor College of Medicine, hosted its first-ever virtual Research. Art. Innovation. Scholarship. Education (RAISE) Symposium from June 28 to July 2, drawing more than 500 registered participants from more than 20 countries across the world.
Texas Children’s Global Health Network spotlights partners in Argentina and Colombia for World Breastfeeding Week 2021
Texas Children’s Global Health Network is shining a light on its partners in Colombia and Argentina for World Breastfeeding Week, the global campaign held from August 1-7 that aims to galvanize action on breastfeeding and related issues.
BIPAI, partners start new mother and child health program in Argentina
Chevron, the YPF Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) at Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Health Ministry of Neuquén province are pleased to announce a new program to support maternal-child health care, focusing on the public health center in the town of Añelo.
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