From Grief to Action: Dr. Francis Guerra-Bauman

Story by Cindy Stauffer

Dr. Francis Guerra-Bauman received her medical degree from the Universidad de Panama Faculty of Medicine; she is now a family medicine resident at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Like many physicians Dr. Guerra-Bauman had a very challenging year, but nothing prepared her for the loss of her beloved older sister to COVID-19, and not being able to return to her home country of Panama for the funeral due to pandemic travel restrictions. Guerra-Bauman has a powerful message:

Get the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s safe, it saves lives, and it helps to protect the Latino community.

“The passing of my sister and not being able to mourn with my family marked the way I approached caring for patients, especially the ones affected by COVID-19 and their families,” she said, “At WellSpan, we work hard to educate our community about COVID-19 vaccine safety and the importance of stopping the spread of this deadly virus.”

In Lebanon 44% of the population is Latino, and some are reluctant to be vaccinated for COVID-19. That is why WellSpan has reached out to Latino residents with free masks at community events, vaccination clinics at Latino-owned businesses, mobile clinics, and Spanish-language materials. Dr. Guerra-Bauman said it is also vital to engage in one-on-one conversations with patients, answering their questions and addressing their concerns in a protected and open space. “It is very important that everyone in our communities understands that the vaccine is safe, free and available for all, no questions asked,” she said.

Dr. Guerra-Bauman counters misinformation by sharing several scientific key facts with her patients: the COVID-19 vaccine does not alter anyone’s DNA, it does not cause infertility, and it is safe for pregnant women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Getting the vaccine also does not impact or endanger anyone’s immigration status. She also addresses some of the unusual rumors that have sprung up about the vaccine: it does not contain a microchip and it is not related to any satanic rituals.

Advocating for the vaccine is especially important for Latino patients, she said: “Unfortunately, this pandemic reminded us that usually the vulnerable and marginalized populations are hit the hardest. This includes both Latino and African American communities, which share higher rates of chronic health conditions due to issues like lack of access to healthy nutrition, and social determinants of health such as multiple family housing which prevents people from practicing social distancing. Also, many of the members of these groups are essential workers and unable to work from home, resulting in COVID-19 spreading most rapidly among those populations.”

Devoting herself to this work comes naturally to Dr. Guerra-Bauman, and she finds joy in providing comfort to others since an early age. As a child she announced to her family that she wanted to be a nun or a physician when she grew up. Then she was given a book about blood that sparked her scientific curiosity and cemented her career path. Her family’s resources were limited but their support made her career possible.

Today her parents are her biggest mentors. “They taught me principles and habits that had helped so much during my entire life,” she said. “I remember them waking up early, being responsible, hard workers, respectful and mindful of other’s people’s time.”

Dr. Guerra-Bauman practiced medicine in Panama before relocating to the United States. She volunteered in a free clinic and this experience showed her that she was able to translate her expertise as an attending physician in Latin America to a family practice like WellSpan Family Medicine – North Fourth Street, which serves many patients who have Latino heritage.

“It was evident to me that there is a huge need in the United States for Spanish-speaking primary care physicians who not only speak the language but understand the culture,” she said. “The WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency program provides this service. It is also based in a community hospital, similar to the program where I trained in, and I currently work closely with a team of professionals who have become a second family. I also have the opportunity to take ownership of patients and ‘do it all,’ which helps me hone my clinical skills and grow my clinical judgment while I assist the community, especially Latino members.”