Medical Services

Recognizing the unique medical needs of children admitted to Casa de Esperanza, the In-House Medical Clinic was established to stabilize the medical condition, monitor the growth, development and health status, provide primary care services through a weekly evening clinic, furnish routine immunizations and health check-ups, and coordinate the often complex medical care of children in placement.

The majority of children admitted to Casa de Esperanza have special medical needs and many have suffered profound medical neglect. Infants who are admitted to Casa are typically victims of inter-utero substance abuse and malnutrition. The mothers routinely test positive for HIV, are substance abusers, and received minimal, if any, pre-natal care. Most toddlers and older children who come to Casa have experienced significant medical neglect, are malnourished, and demonstrate developmental delays. Children in our care have also exhibited significant medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, failure to thrive, congenital birth defects and sexually transmitted diseases. The philosophy of Casa de Esperanza couples an emphasis on comprehensive assessment and treatment of medical, psychological, and developmental needs with the goal of providing the highest quality of life possible for each child in residence.

Kathleen J. Motil, M.D., Ph.D., or "Dr. Kay", as Casa's children affectionately call her, serves as both the Chair of Casa de Esperanza's Governing Board and as Casa's volunteer pediatrician. Dr. Motil, an expert in child nutrition on faculty at Baylor College of Medicine, closely monitors and coordinates the primary care of all children at Casa. Having volunteered her services throughout most of Casa de Esperanza's existence, she still runs the weekly clinic for the children and sees emergency cases in her office or at home after hours. For children with HIV, this continuity of care is extremely important.

It is the policy of Casa de Esperanza that no family is charged for services provided by the agency.