Dr. Valencia Found His Future at St. Andrew's
At age 15, Dr. Francisco Valencia suffered an athletic injury that would lead him toward a lifetime of serving children in need.
As a teenager, Dr. Francisco Valencia was interested in sports, science, and possibly medicine, but was not yet certain what he wanted to do in his life. He realized his future when he became Dr. Mark Frankel's patient in Tucson, Ariz.
Dr. Frankel was the founding physician for St. Andrew's Clinic, which was originally located in Nogales, Son., Mexico. When Dr. Frankel discovered that his patient was interested in medicine and also bi-lingual, he invited Valencia to be an interpreter at St. Andrew's Clinic. Francisco gladly accepted and in June of 1974 attended his first clinic.
"It was an overwhelming experience," said Dr. Valencia. "I realized that this was something really special they were doing."
Dr. Valencia attributes his experience at St. Andrew's Clinic as the driving force in his decision to become an orthopedic surgeon.
"I was left with the feeling that I wanted to come back again and again, and over the years, that same feeling just comes over me," said Dr. Valencia.
Dr. Valencia has been involved with the St. Andrew's Children's Clinic for the past 34 years and is currently the chief of staff. When asked if he had witnessed any miracles at the clinic, he responded with a smile, "Every Thursday."
Watch the video below to hear more about Dr. Valencia and his work at the St. Andrew's Clinic.
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