Andean Health and Development

Call Website

Andean Health and Development Quality, sustainable health care for Latin America's underserved The need is great. When you support AHD, your dollar goes a long way to solve these problems.

What distinguishes the organization from others is that AHD is the only rural health provider in Latin America that delivers quality care based on a proven model of self-sufficiency and capacity building. AHD offers the only residency program that trains rural family physicians — where local faculty train Ecuadorian physicians to work in their own communities. Over a quarter of Ecuador's population lives on less than $4/day, and most of poor live in rural settings. Yet most of the country’s hospitals are located in the country’s two largest urban centers. Facing farm accidents, snake bites, limited childbirthing services, and living in communities without adequate sanitation, most families outside of Quito or Guayaquil have very limited access to quality health care and encounter life threatening situations all too frequently. AHD has been operating one hospital for 14 years, serving over 125,000 people. AHD has also recently constructed and opened a first class 65 bed hospital in a different part of the country. In addition to adding a critically needed hospital to an area where over 400,000 mostly poor people live, this new hospital will allow us to expand our medical training and residency program from 6 doctors a year to 70. AHD’s unique model for financial sustainability is based on strong local partnerships and keeping costs low. We were able to construct our new hospital in Santo Domingo for less than $4 million (a similar facility in the US would cost 10 times that much).

1️⃣5️⃣ photos for the 1️⃣5️⃣TH Ride!The Andean Health Cycling Team has tackled some incredible rolling hills, taken beau...
09/25/2026

1️⃣5️⃣ photos for the 1️⃣5️⃣TH Ride!

The Andean Health Cycling Team has tackled some incredible rolling hills, taken beautiful water-view routes along many of the Finger Lakes, and taken in all the gorgeous scenery this region has to offer!
From Skaneateles to Canandaigua, the AHCT will find themselves in Naples, NY for lunch today.
The group welcomed all of our 3 day riders yesterday, so the full team is here!
We have loved sharing Andean Health & Development’s story as we rode through the Finger Lakes in New York!



🚴‍♀️📸 Let’s take a ride down memory lane!15 years. Countless miles. SO many great memories. ❤️As we get ready for anothe...
09/15/2026

🚴‍♀️📸 Let’s take a ride down memory lane!

15 years. Countless miles. SO many great memories. ❤️

As we get ready for another Andean Health & Development Bike Ride, we’re looking back at some favorite moments from rides over the years—from epic views and finish-line smiles to questionable bike hair and everything in between! 😄

Were you there? We want to see YOUR memories! 👇
📸 Drop your favorite past bike ride photo in the comments and tell us what year you rode.

Let’s fill the comments with some of our favorite moments from the road!

Fifteen years ago, Dr. Michael Heisler set out on a bike ride with a simple goal: raise money to bring healthcare to rur...
09/12/2026

Fifteen years ago, Dr. Michael Heisler set out on a bike ride with a simple goal: raise money to bring healthcare to rural Ecuador. This September, that single ride demonstrates the strength in numbers that turned that first ride into a movement.

From September 20th to 26th, the Andean Health Cycling Team is hitting New York’s Finger Lakes for our 15th Fundraising Ride! During the last 15 years, our riders have raised more than $5 million to build hospitals, buy medical equipment, train physicians, and provide life-saving care to underserved communities in Ecuador. But the ride isn't over.

We need your help to smash our next goal. Follow the ride on Facebook, Instagram or the AHD website and please consider donating directly to Andean Health & Development: https://www.andeanhealth.org/donate-to-ahd/

Let’s improve lives, one mile at a time!

🚴‍♀️ 3… 2… 1… RIDE!Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, but there’s still time for one more great ride! The And...
09/08/2026

🚴‍♀️ 3… 2… 1… RIDE!

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, but there’s still time for one more great ride! The Andean Health & Development Bike Ride celebrates 15 years in the Finger Lakes Region this September 20–26.
Follow along as we pedal through the Finger Lakes and support access to quality healthcare for families in rural Ecuador.
The countdown begins! 🚴‍♂️

Today we celebrate alongside our staff, made up entirely of Ecuadorian citizens, and those we serve in the rural areas o...
08/10/2026

Today we celebrate alongside our staff, made up entirely of Ecuadorian citizens, and those we serve in the rural areas of Ecuador, for their 217 years of independence!

Today we celebrate alongside our staff, made up entirely of Ecuadorian citizens, and those we serve in the rural areas o...
08/10/2026

Today we celebrate alongside our staff, made up entirely of Ecuadorian citizens, and those we serve in the rural areas of Ecuador as they celebrate 217 years of independence!

📣 A special announcement from Andean Health & Development
07/17/2026

📣 A special announcement from Andean Health & Development

Our new hospital project in the province of Cotopaxi continues to progress nicely! Hear from our co-founder, Dr. David G...
04/23/2026

Our new hospital project in the province of Cotopaxi continues to progress nicely! Hear from our co-founder, Dr. David Gaus as he shares an update from the construction site!

With only 18 critical care Adult ICU beds in the area, our 42-bed teaching hospital will nearly double the amount of quality care we can provide an area in much need. A critical part of our rural healthcare model.

Read more stories, updates and see the impact you have helped us with this year by reading our Spring Newsletter (link in bio)!

02/11/2026

Another incredible milestone for Andean Health & Development! Our AHD climbers, led by co-founder, Dr. David Gaus, reach the summit of Mt. Cotopaxi, one of the tallest active volcanoes in the world.

Beyond the physical feat of our climbers, this achievement celebrates AHD’s enhanced commitment to the people of Ecuador and the building of Hospital Cotopaxi, in honor of the volcano in the region. Our climbers are grateful for your support!

Thanks, too, to our guide, for showing our climbers the way - gracias!

Our group flew from sea level to 9,500ft into Quito. This past week we have climbed to about 16,000 ft, 17,000ft, and no...
02/09/2026

Our group flew from sea level to 9,500ft into Quito. This past week we have climbed to about 16,000 ft, 17,000ft, and now must go beyond 20,000ft for Cotopaxi. How did we prepare for the altitude, you ask? Great question!
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) usually means mild fatigue, headache, nausea, and sleep disturbances where one cycles from very rapid breathing to short bursts of stopping breathing. It can be very unnerving! If ascent continues too rapidly, more complications might occur in the brain and the lungs.
“Acclimatization” means going slow as you ascend. Took some “easy” days in Quito as we adjusted to the 9,500ft by doing very little exertion. Staying well hydrated and getting good sleep are critical but often underestimated factors to prevent or minimize AMS.

Address

San Diego, CA

Telephone

+16197886833

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Andean Health and Development posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Sponsored

Share

Category