In the photo are Fallsburg Migrant Education Program tutor Malvina Saavedra, Dr. Alfred Lopez, and tutor Alejandra Sanchez – Provided photo
[FALLSBURG] – “A Compelling Life Story” was the title of the program presented to migrant families on August 26, 2009 by the Oneonta Migrant Education (Migrant Ed) Office in collaboration with the Fallsburg Central School District at Fallsburg High School auditorium.
As soon as the main speaker, Dr. Alfredo Lopez, M.D., began his talk, everyone’s attention became totally focused on his moving words. With great humility, Dr. Lopez says, “I don’t have a lot to say. It is only (emphasis added) my story.”
But, oh what a story it is. He began his journey in America as a five year old newly arrived from Mexico with his parents and siblings. Working in the fields of California as young as he was alongside his family, he learned valuable life lessons about hard work, perseverance, strength of family, and the sense of possibility.
He did not begin schooling until he was ten years old, and he faced his own and his father’s resistance. The family would lose the little income that he was bringing in. “What good would education do for his children?” said his father.
After several years, and the intervention of teachers who cared about Alfredo and saw his promise, mentors encouraged him and supported him to apply to college. Scraping by on scholarships, grants, and loans, Alfredo made it through college and then medical school. His father would become one of his greatest champions. Dr. Lopez is now Medical Director at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse. Another brother is a doctor in California, and a second brother is an established architect in Mexico.
Dr. Lopez has worked with migrants in the Syracuse area to provide health care. While he ministers to people’s medical needs, he is always touching their hearts and encouraging parents and children to value education and strive to develop young minds. His life is an example to all he meets. It is clear from the attention of the audience in Fallsburg that Dr. Alfredo Lopez has made the most of a challenging early childhood and achieved much more than just his medical career as he reaches out to the migrant community throughout New York State and beyond. “Look at my life. With support and encouragement and hard work, you can do it to.” That is the message he imparts.
The Migrant Education Office staff of Robin Robbins, Martha Gonzalez, Michael Maye, and Erick Gonzalez deserves praise for bringing Dr. Lopez to Fallsburg. They are planning to have another program during the school year so more ears, young and old, can hear his simple yet eloquent story and be inspired.
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The Catskill Chronicle 
Dr. Alfredo Lopez Inspires the Fallsburg Migrant Community
Posted in Comments, tagged community, Dr. Lopez, migrant, teacher, worker on September 1, 2009| Leave a Comment »
In the photo are Fallsburg Migrant Education Program tutor Malvina Saavedra, Dr. Alfred Lopez, and tutor Alejandra Sanchez – Provided photo
[FALLSBURG] – “A Compelling Life Story” was the title of the program presented to migrant families on August 26, 2009 by the Oneonta Migrant Education (Migrant Ed) Office in collaboration with the Fallsburg Central School District at Fallsburg High School auditorium.
As soon as the main speaker, Dr. Alfredo Lopez, M.D., began his talk, everyone’s attention became totally focused on his moving words. With great humility, Dr. Lopez says, “I don’t have a lot to say. It is only (emphasis added) my story.”
But, oh what a story it is. He began his journey in America as a five year old newly arrived from Mexico with his parents and siblings. Working in the fields of California as young as he was alongside his family, he learned valuable life lessons about hard work, perseverance, strength of family, and the sense of possibility.
He did not begin schooling until he was ten years old, and he faced his own and his father’s resistance. The family would lose the little income that he was bringing in. “What good would education do for his children?” said his father.
After several years, and the intervention of teachers who cared about Alfredo and saw his promise, mentors encouraged him and supported him to apply to college. Scraping by on scholarships, grants, and loans, Alfredo made it through college and then medical school. His father would become one of his greatest champions. Dr. Lopez is now Medical Director at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse. Another brother is a doctor in California, and a second brother is an established architect in Mexico.
Dr. Lopez has worked with migrants in the Syracuse area to provide health care. While he ministers to people’s medical needs, he is always touching their hearts and encouraging parents and children to value education and strive to develop young minds. His life is an example to all he meets. It is clear from the attention of the audience in Fallsburg that Dr. Alfredo Lopez has made the most of a challenging early childhood and achieved much more than just his medical career as he reaches out to the migrant community throughout New York State and beyond. “Look at my life. With support and encouragement and hard work, you can do it to.” That is the message he imparts.
The Migrant Education Office staff of Robin Robbins, Martha Gonzalez, Michael Maye, and Erick Gonzalez deserves praise for bringing Dr. Lopez to Fallsburg. They are planning to have another program during the school year so more ears, young and old, can hear his simple yet eloquent story and be inspired.
Click any service in this box to share this post with your friends!
Read Full Post »