La Clinica Americana

Dr. Frank S. Beck was born in Canton, SD. He came to Bolivia for the first time in 1912 as a professor at the American Institute, a part of the Methodist Mission in Cochabamba.

In that year he married Miss Bessie Dunn, the daughter of a Methodist preacher from Iowa. She arrived in the port of Mollendo, Peru and was met by her fiancée. The strict Spanish customs of the time would not permit a single woman to travel unchaperoned; they had a civil marriage in Mollendo. The mayor of the city married them; witnesses were the traveling companions of the bride-to-be. The flowery Spanish so confounded Miss Dunn that it was necessary for Frank to whisper to her that the moment had arrived to say "si".

The ten-day trip form the Peruvian coast to the interior of Bolivia is also still unforgettable for the Beck’s. In train, boat and finally by a mule drawn cart the newlyweds crossed the Corillera of the Andes and arrived in Cochabamba.

There among their friends they celebrated the religious ceremony of their marriage. Students from the American Institute and their parents came as guests and had the opportunity of seeing a Protestant wedding for the first time. With flowers, a wedding cake, the musicians playing the Wedding March from Lohengrin the wedding made a festive occasion.

Labors as a Teacher

The Beck’s worked at the Cochabamba Boys School for a year. Frank in the commercial department and Bessie teaching English. In 1914 they were transferred to Buenos Aires. The trip overland across the continent was made by train and then by mule back with an Indian guides.

They returned to Cochabamba in December 1917 to direct the American Institute. The trip back to Bolivia was also memorable. They had with them their son Melvin, born in Buenos Aires. The trip overland across the continent was made by train and the by mule train.

While they were in Cochabamba, their first daughter was born. At the end of several months the Becks were transferred to La Paz where they assumed the direction of the large American Institute which had been functioning there since 1907.

The work of the Becks in the educational field had been magnificent. With much endurance and selflessness, they contributed to the organization and enlargement of the American Institute of Cochabamba and La Paz The ex-students of these institutions still remember with much affection the advice and teaching of Frank and Bessie Beck.

The Beck’s had the desire to do something still more useful for this country which they had come to love and consider as their second homeland. The lack of medical attention in cities as well as in the country had not escaped their notice. The fact that many children died from the lack of adequate maternity care, became their greatest preoccupation. Realizing that there was a greater lack of doctors than educators in Bolivia, the Becks decided to dedicate their energies to this field.

The American Clinic

In Bolivia a piece of land was purchased adjoining the American Institute of La Paz. A retired army doctor, Dr. Warren and a nurse, Miss Rose Driver, were at the head of the initial works. An insurmountable obstacle arose however, which postponed all of the plans. Dr. Warren was unable to obtain the required license to practice medicine in Bolivia.

Advised of these things Dr. Beck took with him a certificate signed by President Saavedra accrediting him as a Bolivian student when he gave up his position as Director of the American Institute of La Paz in Bolivia in 1923, resolved to begin medical studies in the United States. For five years he studied courses in Northwestern University.

While her husband was studying to become a doctor, Mrs. Beck assumed the obligations of a housewife and mother. The family was augmented by the birth of Nelson, born in the United States. She also found time to aid her husband financially by teaching Spanish classes. At the same time she was also studying and received a Masters degree in religious education and later a doctorate in Social Ethics.

Return to Bolivia

Returning to Bolivia Dr. Beck became a popular figure among the Indians of the Altiplano visiting their villages by motorcycle. In this manner he was a traveling doctor to the Indians in these desolate regions for more than a year.

Finally in 1930 it was decided to reopen the American Clinic, thus Dr. Beck initiated the culminating work of his life. In the old locale next to the American Institute he began with three beds, a pressure cooker for a sterilizer, and a kit of instruments bought as World War I surplus. His enthusiasm and drive had no limits and he demonstrated a willingness to surmount every obstacle.

In those days very few women called in doctors to attend them in childbirth. The first patient was a woman in labor suffering from the pains of eclampsia and Dr. Beck saved her life. Since then, he has brought more than 4000 babies into the world, among them the children of two Bolivian presidents. His work helped interest the Bolivian medical profession in maternity care and Bolivian women in having a doctor’s help when their children are born.

The Chaco War

The American Clinic was growing slowly and so was its prestige when in 1932 the Chaco War broke out. At the beginning of the war between Bolivia and Paraguay, Dr. Beck was called upon to help set up a medical services for the Bolivian army. With the consent of the Methodist Mission Board and the Embassy of his country he left for the combat front. There he founded the hospital of Tarairi. He also worked in the hospital at Machareti, in the division of military sanitation at Fort Camacho and he also made trips to the Parapeti River. When he returned to La Paz the Bolivian government recognized Dr. Beck’s services by awarding him the "Condor of the Andes".

In 1935 the Clinic had beds for 15 patients. This was insufficient for the many people needing medical attention. It was at this time that Dr. Beck went out to search for funds. A few years later he received a gift of $30,000 from Henry and Anna Pfeiffer. With this sum he bought land in Obrajes, a suburb of La Paz, situated 1200 feet lower that the city proper. It was thought that the patients could breathe more easily at a lower altitude.

Construction began on the hospital and the nurses home. Contributions were also received from private persons and business firms. Mrs. Pfeiffer donated another $25,000 and later after her death she left the clinic $50,000 in and endowment fund in order to finish equipping the clinic and for making necessary repairs. In gratitude it was decided to name the clinic "The Pfeiffer Memorial Hospital".

Clinic Activities

Today the clinic is capable of handling 55 adult patients, 78 children and 25 babies. There are rooms for surgery; obstetrics, pediatrics, X-rays and a laboratory, all well equipped. They are all occupied to such an extent that many times it is necessary to hurry the exit of some patients in order to accommodate others coming.

Dr. Beck makes some 600 surgical operations a year, collaborating in many instances with other doctors. In addition to this, he delivers some 750 babies a year, at all hours of the day and night. In addition Dr. Beck receives the public in his consulting rooms. It is nothing extraordinary to see numerous members of the Diplomatic Corps next to Indians that are seated on the floor with their children.

The Nursing School

One of the principal contributions to the medical service of the country is beyond doubt the organization of a school for nurses. This was one of the Beck’s first desires, wishing to create the technical personnel that their hospital program required. Mrs. Beck found here the place in which to concentrate her energies and under her intelligent tutelage the school has been growing at a similar pace to the clinic. Coming from the British-American hospital that the Methodist Mission has in Lima, Peru, Miss Elsie Reed, collaborated in the direction of the school. In 1938 the first nurse was graduated.

In 1940 the Bolivian government authorized the official functioning of the school. Miss Miriam Beck, daughter of the Beck’s who had studied nursing in the United States was in charge of the school. For a space of 8 years, Miriam Beck demonstrated great activity, and the prestige that the nursing school has gained since then has been founded on her efforts. The demand for these trained nurses is growing. Many of these nurses have gone to the U.S. for further training. Upon returning they put their knowledge and experiences to use in their home country.

Final Words

Twenty-five years have passed since the establishment of the hospital in the humble location on Landaeta Street. Today there is the large facility in Obrajes, always filled with patients that are recuperating under the best possible conditions. It has been a dream of Dr. and Mrs. Beck that they made into a reality. It is the result of uncounted years of dedication and is a monument to their humanitarianism.

Their work is complete and their desire to return to their homeland is natural where their 3 children and 9 grandchildren are waiting for them. Melvin the oldest son, who worked for 2 years as a pilot for the Corporation Boliviana de Fomento, today is a Navy Air Force instructor in Pensacola, FL. Miriam, who directed the Nursing School so successfully, lives in California and is a school nurse. Nelson is a physicist in an atomic research laboratory near Chicago, IL.

La Clinica Americana - Obra de los Esposos Beck in Bolivia
La Clinica Americana For the First Time in Bolivia
Dr. Frank S. Beck was born in Canton, SD. He came to Bolivia for the first time in 1912 as a professor at the American Institute, a part of the Methodist Mission in Cochabamba. In that year he married Miss Bessie Dunn, the daughter of a Methodist preacher from Iowa. She arrived in the port of Mollendo, Peru and was met by her fiancée. The strict Spanish customs of the time would not permit a single woman to travel unchaperoned; they had a civil marriage in Mollendo. The mayor of the city married them; witnesses were the traveling companions of the bride-to-be. The flowery Spanish so confounded Miss Dunn that it was necessary for Frank to whisper to her that the moment had arrived to say "si". The ten-day trip form the Peruvian coast to the interior of Bolivia is also still unforgettable for the Beck’s. In train, boat and finally by a mule drawn cart the newlyweds crossed the Corillera of the Andes and arrived in Cochabamba. There among their friends they celebrated the religious ceremony of their marriage. Students from the American Institute and their parents came as guests and had the opportunity of seeing a Protestant wedding for the first time. With flowers, a wedding cake, the musicians playing the Wedding March from Lohengrin the wedding made a festive occasion. Labors as a Teacher The Beck’s worked at the Cochabamba Boys School for a year. Frank in the commercial department and Bessie teaching English. In 1914 they were transferred to Buenos Aires. The trip overland across the continent was made by train and then by mule back with an Indian guides. They returned to Cochabamba in December 1917 to direct the American Institute. The trip back to Bolivia was also memorable. They had with them their son Melvin, born in Buenos Aires. The trip overland across the continent was made by train and the by mule train. While they were in Cochabamba, their first daughter was born. At the end of several months the Becks were transferred to La Paz where they assumed the direction of the large American Institute which had been functioning there since 1907. The work of the Becks in the educational field had been magnificent. With much endurance and selflessness, they contributed to the organization and enlargement of the American Institute of Cochabamba and La Paz The ex-students of these institutions still remember with much affection the advice and teaching of Frank and Bessie Beck. The Beck’s had the desire to do something still more useful for this country which they had come to love and consider as their second homeland. The lack of medical attention in cities as well as in the country had not escaped their notice. The fact that many children died from the lack of adequate maternity care, became their greatest preoccupation. Realizing that there was a greater lack of doctors than educators in Bolivia, the Becks decided to dedicate their energies to this field. The American Clinic In Bolivia a piece of land was purchased adjoining the American Institute of La Paz. A retired army doctor, Dr. Warren and a nurse, Miss Rose Driver, were at the head of the initial works. An insurmountable obstacle arose however, which postponed all of the plans. Dr. Warren was unable to obtain the required license to practice medicine in Bolivia. Advised of these things Dr. Beck took with him a certificate signed by President Saavedra accrediting him as a Bolivian student when he gave up his position as Director of the American Institute of La Paz in Bolivia in 1923, resolved to begin medical studies in the United States. For five years he studied courses in Northwestern University. While her husband was studying to become a doctor, Mrs. Beck assumed the obligations of a housewife and mother. The family was augmented by the birth of Nelson, born in the United States. She also found time to aid her husband financially by teaching Spanish classes. At the same time she was also studying and received a Masters degree in religious education and later a doctorate in Social Ethics. Return to Bolivia Returning to Bolivia Dr. Beck became a popular figure among the Indians of the Altiplano visiting their villages by motorcycle. In this manner he was a traveling doctor to the Indians in these desolate regions for more than a year. Finally in 1930 it was decided to reopen the American Clinic, thus Dr. Beck initiated the culminating work of his life. In the old locale next to the American Institute he began with three beds, a pressure cooker for a sterilizer, and a kit of instruments bought as World War I surplus. His enthusiasm and drive had no limits and he demonstrated a willingness to surmount every obstacle. In those days very few women called in doctors to attend them in childbirth. The first patient was a woman in labor suffering from the pains of eclampsia and Dr. Beck saved her life. Since then, he has brought more than 4000 babies into the world, among them the children of two Bolivian presidents. His work helped interest the Bolivian medical profession in maternity care and Bolivian women in having a doctor’s help when their children are born. The Chaco War The American Clinic was growing slowly and so was its prestige when in 1932 the Chaco War broke out. At the beginning of the war between Bolivia and Paraguay, Dr. Beck was called upon to help set up a medical services for the Bolivian army. With the consent of the Methodist Mission Board and the Embassy of his country he left for the combat front. There he founded the hospital of Tarairi. He also worked in the hospital at Machareti, in the division of military sanitation at Fort Camacho and he also made trips to the Parapeti River. When he returned to La Paz the Bolivian government recognized Dr. Beck’s services by awarding him the "Condor of the Andes". In 1935 the Clinic had beds for 15 patients. This was insufficient for the many people needing medical attention. It was at this time that Dr. Beck went out to search for funds. A few years later he received a gift of $30,000 from Henry and Anna Pfeiffer. With this sum he bought land in Obrajes, a suburb of La Paz, situated 1200 feet lower that the city proper. It was thought that the patients could breathe more easily at a lower altitude. Construction began on the hospital and the nurses home. Contributions were also received from private persons and business firms. Mrs. Pfeiffer donated another $25,000 and later after her death she left the clinic $50,000 in and endowment fund in order to finish equipping the clinic and for making necessary repairs. In gratitude it was decided to name the clinic "The Pfeiffer Memorial Hospital". Clinic Activities Today the clinic is capable of handling 55 adult patients, 78 children and 25 babies. There are rooms for surgery; obstetrics, pediatrics, X-rays and a laboratory, all well equipped. They are all occupied to such an extent that many times it is necessary to hurry the exit of some patients in order to accommodate others coming. Dr. Beck makes some 600 surgical operations a year, collaborating in many instances with other doctors. In addition to this, he delivers some 750 babies a year, at all hours of the day and night. In addition Dr. Beck receives the public in his consulting rooms. It is nothing extraordinary to see numerous members of the Diplomatic Corps next to Indians that are seated on the floor with their children. The Nursing School One of the principal contributions to the medical service of the country is beyond doubt the organization of a school for nurses. This was one of the Beck’s first desires, wishing to create the technical personnel that their hospital program required. Mrs. Beck found here the place in which to concentrate her energies and under her intelligent tutelage the school has been growing at a similar pace to the clinic. Coming from the British-American hospital that the Methodist Mission has in Lima, Peru, Miss Elsie Reed, collaborated in the direction of the school. In 1938 the first nurse was graduated. In 1940 the Bolivian government authorized the official functioning of the school. Miss Miriam Beck, daughter of the Beck’s who had studied nursing in the United States was in charge of the school. For a space of 8 years, Miriam Beck demonstrated great activity, and the prestige that the nursing school has gained since then has been founded on her efforts. The demand for these trained nurses is growing. Many of these nurses have gone to the U.S. for further training. Upon returning they put their knowledge and experiences to use in their home country. Final Words Twenty-five years have passed since the establishment of the hospital in the humble location on Landaeta Street. Today there is the large facility in Obrajes, always filled with patients that are recuperating under the best possible conditions. It has been a dream of Dr. and Mrs. Beck that they made into a reality. It is the result of uncounted years of dedication and is a monument to their humanitarianism. Their work is complete and their desire to return to their homeland is natural where their 3 children and 9 grandchildren are waiting for them. Melvin the oldest son, who worked for 2 years as a pilot for the Corporation Boliviana de Fomento, today is a Navy Air Force instructor in Pensacola, FL. Miriam, who directed the Nursing School so successfully, lives in California and is a school nurse. Nelson is a physicist in an atomic research laboratory near Chicago, IL.