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Dr. Luis Pagoaga, a family medicine specialist serving
patients from his office located in the wing of the
McKenzie Regional Hospital, is a dedicated servant to
his patients, having as his chief role model the
ultimate personification of master and servant, Jesus
Christ.
"For me the study of the Bible is a priority," he says,
"It was the key to my success in every way, big time,
prospering me in every way: the blessing of my family,
my kids, my life, and my patients. I just live my life
with gratitude, sharing my successes through medicine."
The doctor hails from Honduras, a country that, in the
minds of many familiar with local humanitarian efforts
in the country, conjures images of poverty and
misfortune. Dr. Pagoaga represents another image of the
country, one as vibrant as the natural splendor of the
tropical Central American nation. Slightly larger than
Tennessee, the mountainous country is bordered by
Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua; by the Caribbean
Sea on its northern shore and occupying the Gulf of
Fonseca, an inlet from the north Pacific Ocean, on its
southern border.
Dr. Pagoaga's name, incidentally, is pronounced just
the way it is spelled - Pa-go-a-ga - the "a" sounding
like the a in "papa", while Luis sounds like Lewis, but
with the accent on the last syllable.
But the good doctor won't fault anyone who has
difficulty with the pronunciation, having known first
hand the agony of learning a second language.
He was born on July 15, 1963 in the capital city of
Tegucigalpa, an Indian name in the country known for
its Mayan ruins. The only son in a family with four
daughters, the oldest of whom is roughly 15 years his
junior, Pagoaga was essentially an only child during
his growing years. He smiles thinking of his sisters,
allowing it is fun to have them look up to him as their
"big brother".
The legacy of his profession he owes to his
grandfather, who from his earliest years referred to
him as the family doctor, instilling in young Luis a
strong desire to excel. As a student, he immersed
himself in his studies, fascinated with the sciences.
"My life has always been study, study, study - because
I love to study," he says. "If I did more, it was
basketball, soccer and jogging."
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"You cannot
separate your own calling and your faith with
your dream, they're all connected, and that's
exactly what I try to relate to my patients." |
High school was a "beautiful time" in his life that
was marked by education in more than just academics.
Although science was his "high dream", he also gained
an appreciation for high moral standards and
self-control at the secondary school called San Miguel
College.
"I was in the best high school in my country, which
happens to be private and Catholic," says Pagoaga, who
is not Catholic. "It was an excellent experience
education-wise, and in learning values and discipline.
"If I'm a successful man, I owe it to these: namely my
parents for supporting me, and in an excellent
education; not only academic but in a Godly way in
terms of values, a melting combination of factors that
were favorable."
Though commonly assumed to be Catholic due to his
Hispanic heritage, Pagoaga says, "The truth is I've
never been Catholic; I've always been evangelical."
Born of Protestant parents, Luis was a "pioneer",
during his adolescence discovering the Assembly of God
church, a Pentecostal, charismatic denomination.
After graduation from the all-boy high school at the
age of 17, Luis began his higher education at the
National Autonomous University of Honduras in
Tegucigalpa, a public university that was founded in
1847.
During this time, he wavered in his goals,
contemplating a future as a minister.
"I went to a Bible College and took some classes, but I
realized that was not my call," shares Pagoaga, who
determined his purpose was to serve people in a
different way.
"You cannot separate your own calling and your faith
with your dream, they're all connected, and that's
exactly what I try to relate to my patients," he says
with conviction. His own future thus illuminated, he
became a physician in 1990, after eight and a half
years of study.
"What I didn't dream was that I would end up in the
United States," he continues, "for two reasons: One is
that the hardest subject I had in school was English.
And I am very attached to my family, and here I am over
2,000 miles away from my family and speaking English."
Dr. Pagoaga worked for several months in a
church-sponsored clinic before deciding to continue his
career in the United States in order to "pursue a
higher level of standards," and increase his expertise
and knowledge in the field.
"In my country, the United States is known to be the
best in medicine," he explains.
Pagoaga's first stop was New Orleans, where he attended
a community college in an effort to perfect his
English. It was quite an experience, he admits,
shifting uncomfortably in his seat at the memory.
"I practiced English with Vietnamese," he declares, an
experience that was only part of his transition to a
new country. It was also a cultural adjustment.
The way of taking tests is different in the United
States, for instance, he intimates. After he had been
in the States for four months, he took the driver's
exam.
"I flunked it, and I've been driving since I was 14!"
he laughs, wide-eyed and animated. "And I took an
English test to see how much I knew, and I flunked
that!
"They were just challenges to me," he smiles, once more
settling comfortably into the present. "They were only
illusions of failure for the success that was about to
come. I was able to take the (medical) boards and pass
them far and beyond (my expectations)."
He continued to have some difficulty with the language
after coming to McKenzie, he admits, demonstrating the
questioning gaze - eyebrows raised and muted in
bewilderment - that his patients once assumed as he
attempted to communicate with them.
Even then, he says, "my patients perceived how much I
care: This doctor is doing his best for me."
As time passed, his English improved and surveys
revealed not only that his patients sensed his own
caring; they cared for him as well.
"That tells me a lot," he says with heartfelt
sincerity, "That's much more meaningful than a big time
salary you can get in the city; you are fulfilling your
purpose - spiritual, intellectual - you're doing a
service, you are satisfied and you're patients are
responding; that's very neat."
Dr. Pagoaga's personal life was enhanced when, in 1994
while in residency in Memphis, he met his wife,
Jennifer.
"We met in the emergency room; that's one of my
expertises as a doctor," he smiles. "I fell in love
with her."
The couple dated six weeks before they became engaged
and married eight months later. A family nurse
practitioner, Jennifer is now a fulltime mom to son
Sergio, age 6, and two-year-old Emma.
The Pagoagas at home:
Luis holds little Emma while Sergio nestles happily
between his dad and mom, Jennifer.
The family resides near Jackson, where Sergio attends a
Christian school, and Luis and Jennifer are active
members of the Milan First Assembly of God church.
Obviously still entranced with his wife, he pulls from
his wallet a black and white photo, revealing a
fetching woman with dark curls cascading over her
shoulders.
"She is a pretty pie, let me tell you," he smiles.
The two enjoy living "a simple life", and turn to
nature when seeking to reduce the stresses of living.
"We enjoy landscapes, and we love to be together with
our kids," says Luis, smiling in happy affection for
his family. "We plan to visit more of the U.S., but in
looking for relaxing places, so far our favorite is
East Tennessee. Every time I go to East Tennessee, it
reminds me of my country; it's very similar."
As a family philosophy, the Pagoagas meet each day
"with enthusiasm."
"We try to do everything with plenty of energy and
enthusiasm," he smiles, recounting activities like
going to the park, visiting family, or just enjoying
time together.
The family has visited Honduras several times in an
effort to keep the children in touch with his family,
and, more often, visit their other grandparents in
Memphis.
In his personal life, Luis remains devoted to his
books, "big time". And he keeps himself in good shape
as an example for his patients, although, these days,
the sport he likes best - soccer - is the one he does
least. Instead, in line with his schedule and available
equipment, he jogs and works out with weights.
Looking back on his journey from Honduras to the United
States, he admits, "It was difficult but I wanted to
share and do the best for my profession. You do what
you have to for a good cause, and this one was a good
cause."
He chuckles, recalling that, as a student working with
different types of physicians, each one would try to
steer him into his own specialty: "Luis, you should be
a surgeon; Luis, you should be an internist; Luis, you
should be a pediatrician."
"The truth of the matter is, I love kids," he smiles.
"I love older folks. That's why I chose this specialty;
you get to make a difference in all the patients
regardless of their ages.
"I have fulfilled and met my dream. I have a driving,
successful practice. I get to take care of my patient's
holistic needs - mind, spirit, and body. I am very
gratified about the reception the community of McKenzie
has given me; I think my success is their success."
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