Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight – Ernesto Serrano
By Ernesto Serrano, Mental Health Hospital Specialist, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital
“I was born 228 miles south of Miami in Havana, Cuba. But to get here, I traveled thousands.”
Why? Well, escaping Cuba is no easy task, especially if you are in the medical field. Impoverished and with limited resources, the island nation does everything it can to maintain vital skills in its society, making it nearly impossible for anyone with formal medical training to leave – ever.
I was 23 when I made the difficult decision to flee.
At that moment, a million thoughts clouded my mind. I was frightened and uncertain. I knew that abandoning my native land would scar me for as long as I lived. I romanticized about a better world – a world where healthcare systems have resources to care for patients, where freewill dictates the path of life, and above all, where there are opportunities. So, on a humid afternoon I packed the little I owned.
I defected from Cuba to Bogota. This was my opportunity to start over.
The nation recognized my medical training and allowed me to immediately start work in the mental health field. The transition was extremely difficult. In a time where drugs cartels plagued the nation’s infrastructure, I noticed multiple sociological issues that affected the Colombian youth. I helped developed several mental health programs that helped children in Bogota, as well as advancing mental health for drug rehabilitation programs.
Truth is, through our work, we made great strides in the country. Our programs helped hundreds of children and their families. My Colombian colleagues were passionate about their work, and like me, dreamt about a better life. Still, I deeply missed Cuba and longed to be close to it.
It was in 1999 when I left Colombia and headed to the United States, making a decades-old dream come true. In many ways, Miami was as close to Cuba as I could get in the United States – not only in distance, but the people, the culture, the food, and even the Spanish language spoken by so many was reminiscent of home. Being in Miami brought me tremendous joy – and still does.
During my years in Miami, I’ve been lucky enough to work in multiple hospitals that help patients with mental health issues: Mercy Hospital, Kendall Regional Hospital, Palmetto Hospital, Southern Winds Hospital, and University of Miami Hospital.
Twelve years ago, I joined Jackson Health System as a mental health hospital specialist in Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department.
My current work at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital’s Crisis Emergency Department is extremely challenging, but deeply fulfilling. Our diverse community depends on us to advance mental health services in South Florida, and care for the minds that need us most. Every day, all of us at Jackson Health System dedicate our lives to public. Our mission is something we should all be profoundly proud of.