I’m Diego Elías from Peru. Do you remember me? Exactly a year ago, I was arriving at the hospital in Houston for my heart surgery the following morning. It’s incredible to think that so much time has passed since that day we met and started chatting in French when I was in the ICU post-surgery. Although the situation was difficult at that moment, those little conversations made a huge difference in my spirits.

And what can I say about the vision board you gave me with pictures of France and Lyon? I’m writing to you from here, Lyon! A year after the most challenging situation of my life, I’m now making my dream come true of being here in France and having an unforgettable experience. This city is beautiful, and I’m having a great time here. But I have to tell you, Paris is magical! From the moment I saw the Eiffel Tower, Paris became my favorite place in the world. I’ve already been there three times during these two months I’ve been here, and by the time I return to Peru, I will have been to Paris about six times!

A year has passed, and everything is going great. I know how much you supported my dad and mom during that time in Houston, as well as me, and although we’ve already thanked you, I want to express my gratitude again for everything you did to help us through it all. Rest assured that when I visit Houston, I will come to see you!

Thank you for everything! A big hug,

- Diego Elías from Peru

"Atala is an amazing person, her soul is crystal clear. Her good vibrations are transmitted every where she goes and that has a very positive effect in all of us specially the patients that she has helped for many years at the hospital and outpatient setting.

She has been an outstanding support for our patients, she establishes a liaison between the patient needs, fears and expectations and the health care provider expectations of the patient understanding the procedure and the sequence of events.

Her smile and kind words recomforts the patient and the patient family in difficult times when a love one is sick and explains the pathway to recovery.

She is always available to help and she is an amazing team player looking for the best possible outcome. Her communication skills are outstanding, specially knowing that she is fluent in multiple languages English, Spanish, Italian, French.

Having work with Atala has been a great opportunity for all of us and for all our patients that she has transformed a difficult experience into a better one."

- David Paniagua, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiology-Cardiology-Noninvasive Cardiology, at Mount Sinai Medical Center Miami Florida USA from Costa Rica

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.

I've known Atala since 2013 when I started working with her and she has been since then the best colleague and a true friend. She is one of the kindest people I've ever been lucky enough to know. She is a great listener and very supportive. She always gives the best advice with the most beautiful smile. She is always positive and calm even when she faces difficult situations. I'm so Thankful to have such a caring and compassionate friend and a great coach who I can always count on. I love you Atala :)

-Nathale Wehbe Lebanon Advocacy Liaison International Services Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center

GENUINE GUIDE, PASSIONATE CARE AND EXPERT ON LIFE TRANSITIONs

Atala is genuine, heartwarming, and engaging. She has been an insightful and wise spiritual guide for many people.Atala works with so much passion and kindness, I have witnessed in multiple occasions the wonderful patient care she provided to all her international patients and their families in Baylor St Luke’s. She listens and cares like she is dealing with her own situation or helping a family member succeed. She is a great coach. Atala can easily help anyone that is going through a difficult life transition to feel at peace. She listened to me very carefully and made me so comfortable. Atala is also extremely responsive and reliable. I can't say enough amazing things about her.

-Kate Ouad/ Morocco/Advocacy Liason Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center 

unique guidance and emotional support that transform lives

“Atala I admire and respect you from the bottom of my heart, your help, guidance and emotional support was unique in one of the most difficult moments of my life. On behalf of my family, we thank you for sharing your energy, positivism and ways of always seeing the good in everything. I definitely know you were born to touch souls, hearts and transform lives." 

-Johana Alburguez from Venezuela

Embracing a positive PERSPECTIVE and attitude brings peace

Recently, I went to the doctor, and they detected tumors, so they sent me to the emergency room. I was hospitalized for 8 days and had kidney problems because the tumors are affecting my kidneys and bladder, so they placed a catheter. During my hospital stay, they administered pain medication (morphine), and I experienced hallucinations and other symptoms. They discharged me without operating on the tumors. Afterward, I was referred to Oncology, which made me feel very nervous and insecure about my health. I was immersed in sadness and depression. However, coaching with Atala made me reflect on many things I hadn't even appreciated, like being grateful to God for having insurance to receive medical attention. It made me look at my problems from a different perspective, thinking positively, as our physical state also depends on our thoughts, and what we think is reflected in our bodies.

We have the power to choose which thoughts to keep, whether negative ones that harm our health, such as weakened immunity, stress, and palpitations, or positive thoughts that motivate us and help us get through difficult situations more easily.

I know there is still a long way to go, but I also know what kind of path I want to follow. Today, I am grateful to God for what he gives me every day, to my family and friends for their support, and to you, Atala, for helping me to feel more at peace, to embrace the habit of gratitude and for helping me to change my attitude and perspective in life.

- Elizabeth Torres, Mexico