Guantanamo.- Just like on the first day they began their studies in 1990, the doctors from Guantánamo who graduated 30 years ago continue to identify closely with one another. They have chosen to commemorate this milestone anniversary—a meaningful achievement for both their profession and the enduring friendship forged over these years.
“We call ourselves that because we believe that deep down, we are still the same people, and despite the passing years, our core remains unchanged,” says Dr. Annia Rodríguez Cambas, an ophthalmologist and one of the coordinators of the WhatsApp group that connects nearly 160 of the original 450 graduates. The idea originated with Dr. Omara Falcón, a gynecologist, during an international mission in Algeria.
“It was October 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, when we located and brought together colleagues both inside and outside Cuba, and since then, we have remained very active,” she explains, surrounded by her classmates who listen intently to the story of their shared journey—an ongoing narrative to which everyone wishes to contribute.
This is exemplified by Dr. Evis Navarro Pérez, who has dedicated over 25 years to the pediatric hospital of Guantánamo as a specialist in pediatric orthopedics. “It is my passion,” he emphasizes. “I have been working in this field since graduating.”
Their professional paths all began during the challenging years of the Special Period, within the classrooms, hallways, and student residences.
