ABOUT US
Paramedics for Children International (PFCI) provides medical care, education programs, and disaster relief to children, families, and communities in Central America and beyond. We serve without regard to religious beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background.
It all started in 1997 by delivering school supplies to a few hundred Mayan Chortí Indian children in Copán, Honduras, mountain villages. From there, we expanded to disaster response and training (by 2004 we had the most extensive all-volunteer ambulance services in all of Central America!), and established Clinica la Esperanza, which treats up to 12,000 patients per year.
In 2021, we constructed and finished our community center which offers 5,000 SF of meetings and housing for specialized projects such as our Mayan Heritage program for the mountain schools and various local communities.
What started as a small group of paramedics, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals has evolved into so much more. We now host volunteers from all walks of life and have a lot of fun while making a difference in our communities. We are always looking for new talent to joinn our team; Please join us!
OUR HISTORY
OUR BOARD
RODGER HARRISON
Founder and Director of Honduran Operations
Business Leader, Paramedic, Musician, Pilot, Awarded the “Monja Blanca” medal by the Government of Guatemala for service to the Guatemalan people. Honorary Consul for Guatemala to the USA. Rodger led the Hurricane Mitch and Indonesian Tsunami relief teams and has served as our President for the last 27 years. Rodger remains the Director of Field Operations and oversees both Clinica la Esperanza and the school supply missions.
Suyapa Ramirez
Secretary of Honduran Operations
Born in Victoria, Yoro, Honduras, is the backbone of operations in Copan Ruinas. She wears many hats, from head cook to meticulous bookkeeper, embodying hard work and dedication. Her warmth and professionalism create a welcoming atmosphere, fostering unity and community spirit. Her story epitomizes the resilience and friendliness of Honduran culture, inspiring those around her to excel.
Daniela Oliva
Co-Director of Honduran Operations
Born and raised in Honduras, Dani is very considerate, helpful, and versatile. Dani manages a little bit of everything, from our social media, websites, as well as the Honduran operations alongside the Director. She manages the bed&breakfast, Hacienda La Esperanza, and she helps our guests and volunteers set up their trip to Honduras.
Gary McCord
Director at Large
Dr. Gary McCord, a Gaston County native, provides top-quality dental care at South Point Family Dentistry. With a focus on patient comfort, he holds a DDS from Emory University and completed advanced training at Carolinas Medical Center. Dr. McCord is also active in the Belmont Rotary Club and has interests in history and aviation
Brian Huey
Director at Large
Born in Westlake, Ohio, Brian holds degrees in economics and public policy from the University of North Carolina. His diverse career includes roles from assisting the NC Attorney General to CEO positions across industries. An entrepreneur, he’s ventured into advertising, manufacturing, and finance, even taking a company public. Brian is also active in athletics, competing in triathlons and master swimming. He continues writing, including his ongoing Perpetual series.
EMILY HARKLESS
Director at Large
A Paramedic and owner of a NonProfit Consulting and Grant Writing Firm in Brighton, Colorado, Emily is passionate about helping underserved populations. With a Master’s in Public Health, she supports small non-profits and joined the board of PFCI in 2022 after years of financial backing. She also enjoys spending time with her family and pets, nurturing her love for travel and adventure.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Grecia Cantillano
Chief Physician
Dr. Grecia Cantillano is a licensed Honduran doctor who brings with her an extensive and impressive body of medical experience and often acts as the Honduran advisor to many international medical brigades. Her sub-specialties include labor and delivery, pediatrics and emergency room experience. She is also bilingual, speaking conversational English, which is a boon for our visiting interns.
CHRISTINA JEFFREY
Advisory Board Member
Christina, with diverse expertise in healthcare communications and mobile technology for public health, leads Strategic Partnerships at Dimagi. Discovering Paramedics for Children during her Guatemala fieldwork, she now focuses on a maternal and child health project in Honduras. Fluent in Spanish, with a Master’s in Public Health, she collaborates globally to enhance healthcare access.
SHAWN TALBOT
Advisory Board Member
Shawn Talbot, from a cinematography student in Canada into a successful advertising photographer, specializing in marine, architectural, and corporate photography for over 25 years. His work has been acclaimed by publications like Maclean’s Magazine and National Geographic. Known for capturing stunning natural wonders, Shawn was featured in the documentary series 1 Stop Closer.
DAVID JENSEN
Advisory Board Member
With over 25 years in the medical device industry, Mr. Jensen spent most of his career at Acumed, where he led in design, marketing, and business development. As president, he drove the company through five years of double-digit growth. He emphasizes stakeholder engagement and a culture of trust and respect. With experience in emergency medical devices at SAM Medical Products, he now supports various organizations and teaches organizational strategies.
CONTACT US
General Information, Donations, and Business
Paramedics For Children
P. O. Box 37898
Rock Hill, SC 29732
Phone: +1 (704) 763-2585
Email: Dani@ParamedicsForChildren.org
Volunteer Opportunities and Honduran Operations
Phone: +504 8895-0404
Email: Dani@ParamedicsForChildren.org