Frank Peterson
President and Co-Founder, full time volunteer

Frank Peterson retired from the U.S. Navy Department as Director of the Propulsion and Hydrodynamics Department in July 2000 specifically to develop a way to help the impoverished rural Guatemalans to access surgical care offered by volunteer medical teams. Frank spends half of his time in Guatemala, overseeing operations, and half of his time in the U.S, recruiting teams and raising funds.

Lindsay Coker
In-Country Director

Lindsay has overall responsibility for all operations in Guatemala, which includes managing a full time staff, handling logistics for PfS surgical teams, interacting with Clinica Barbara and working with our Guatemalan affiliated organizations. Prior to joining Partner for Surgery, Lindsay earned a Bachelor's Degree in U.S. History, served as Director of theVolunteer Women's Medical Clinic in North Carolina and received a law degree from Howard University. She practiced law both in New York City and Washington D.C.before deciding to refocus her attention to helping developing countries. Lindsay joined our staff in April 2011 and is excited to bring together medical professionals and the people who so desperately need their help and attention.

Dr. Oscar Asturias
Medical Director

Dr. Oscar Asturias is a graduate of University Francisco Marroquin Medical School in Guatemala. He has a wealth of experience with the hands-on practice of medicine and the administration of healthcare facilities. Dr. Asturias is the main contact between Partner for Surgery and the international surgical teams. He also advises Partner for Surgery on the medical aspects of its programs, including the nutrition and cervical cancer projects.

Silvia Eugenia Macario
Legal and Financial Director, ACPC

Silvia works for ACPC, is in charge of all legal and financial matters for ACPC, and assists with coordinating the implementation of the various programs of Partner for Surgery. Silvia is from Buena Vista Chimaltengo, Guatemala. She graduated from Escuela Nacional Leonidas Mencos Avila with a degree in accounting and is currently finishing her law degree at Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Silvia has experience working at various organizations, including Fundacion para el Desarrollo and Fortalecimiento de las Organizaciones de Base.

Fife Bentley
Director of Rural Operations

Fife leads the medical missions in rural areas, handling logistics, preparations and management of the team of local health promoters. Fife also directs programs in infant nutrition, and cervical cancer prevention. Fife is fluent in Spanish and Q'eqchi', the indigenous language of Alta Verapaz, where he served in the Peace Corps. He brings program management and accounting experience with medical devices and commercial services in the United States. He has a M.A. in Accounting and a B.A. in International Business and Spanish from the University of Georgia.

Alicia Merida
Logistics Coordinator

Born in Guatemala, Alicia has a degree in Communication Science from the University Rafael Landivar, and Galileo University in Guatemala City. She has a background in event organization and has worked as a consultant to non-profit organizations in the area of human rights and gender equity. Alicia will assist with Surgical Team logistics and programming.

Gilberto Sub Xól
Rural Area Coordinator

Gilberto supports the Director of Rural Operations in executing rural triage missions and the various programs with which Partner for Surgery is involved. Gilberto is from Lotificación Chajsaquil, San Pedro Carcha, Guatemala. He obtained a degree in forestry engineering from Universidad Rafael Landívar in Sede de las Verapaces, Cobán, Guatemala. Previously, Gilberto was the Agricultural Coordinator for Cáritas, a Guatemalan social justice non-profit.

Marta Gomez
Administrative Assistant

Marta provides essential administrative support for all programs and medical teams. Marta was born and raised in Santa Catarina Barahona, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. She graduated from Instituto Técnico Empresarial as a bilingual executive secretary specializing in education and human rights. In 2010, Marta completed an internship with the docent at Colegio La Salle de la Antigua Guatemala as a part of her courses in social sciences. She also completed a social work internship with la Iglesia Católica de San Miguel Dueñas, Sacatapequez where she focused on human rights and creating a culture of peace.

Health Promoters

Partner for Surgery works with a network of Health Promoters: local leaders who help with all of our activities and function as independent enterprises within the formal Guatemalan economy. Some are assisted by local youth or helpers called ayudantes. This network of Health Promoters is essential to the unique model of Partner for Surgery. They live in the rural villages from which our patients come, thus providing continuity and familiarity, as well as essential language translation for patients who speak one of many Mayan dialects. The Health Promoters establish a relationship with the patients they represent, accompany those patients to their surgery appointments, and assist with coordinating follow-up care as needed.