This year marks the 25th anniversary of Health Institute de Tijuana (HIT), Mexico’s first and only licensed Gerson clinic.
HIT’s History
Founded in 2001 by Dr. Alicia Melendez and Dr. Luz Bravo, Health Institute de Tijuana – located in the small coastal community of Playas de Tijuana – was originally named Baja Nutri Care. It received its current name in 2015 following Dr. Bravo’s retirement.
Dr. Alicia Melendez earned her medical degree in 1964 as a general practitioner from the prestigious Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City. In 1977 she met Charlotte Gerson and began training under her directly at Hospital La Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico, which was the first hospital in Mexico to offer the Gerson Therapy. In the following years, wherever Charlotte went, Dr. Melendez followed.
Together, Charlotte and Dr. Melendez laid the foundation for medical professionals to be trained in the clinical application and practice of the Gerson Therapy. Their first students included Dr. Luz Bravo, who would become Dr. Melendez’s business partner; Dr. Pedro Cervantes, who would become the primary physician at HIT; and Dr. Kayla Smith, who was the Gerson Institute’s medical director.
What started with Charlotte and Dr. Melendez grew and evolved to what we see today: a robust Gerson practitioner training program; quality control measures for practicing Gerson physicians and licensed Gerson clinics; three licensed Gerson clinic locations worldwide; a global network of Certified Gerson Practitioners; and thousands of lives impacted and forever changed by the Gerson Therapy.
HIT Today
Today, Dr. Melendez continues to be an active participant in reviewing clinic applications for eligibility, meeting with patients, and overseeing the medical staff at HIT in her role as Medical Director Emeritus.
Many of the administrative staff, nurses, chefs, and doctors have been with HIT for over twenty years, including Dr. Pedro Cervantes.
Coupled with the tenure and experience retained at HIT, the Gerson Institute has remained in close partnership and collaboration with HIT. Up until her retirement, Charlotte Gerson visited the clinic on a weekly basis. The Gerson Institute carries that torch with regular visits from our most tenured team members.
Through the Gerson Institute’s public and practitioner education programs, we ensure that the quality and efficacy of care that has been synonymous with both HIT and Gerson continues.
Celebration
Last month, staff from the Gerson Institute and Health Institute de Tijuana gathered at the clinic to celebrate HIT’s 25th anniversary. This intimate celebration included a catered lunch, small gifts, and lots of love and laughter.
As a gesture of our deep gratitude, the Gerson Institute presented HIT with several plaques to commemorate this momentous achievement and to honor all those who made it possible.
Join us in congratulating Health Institute de Tijuana on their 25th anniversary!
