From Dental Clinic to Adventist Medical Center in Angola

Montemorelos University graduates help transform health ministry in Luanda through medical care, training, and community outreach

April 22, 2026 | Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico | Laura Marrero and IAD News Staff

For several years, the work of Maydi Díaz and Miguel O. Rodríguez in Angola has been a consistent testimony of service through health ministry and the missionary commitment of Montemorelos University (UM) graduates.

Today, their story continues to unfold with new chapters.

After nearly a decade serving in Angola, the two graduates returned to Mexico, where Díaz joined the academic faculty of the UM School of Nursing, while Rodríguez pursued a master’s degree in Prosthodontics at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, along with a master’s in finance at UM. This three-year period laid the foundation for what would come next.

At the beginning of 2024, they once again responded to a call to serve beyond their home country.

That call took them back to Angola—this time to the city of Luanda—where they became involved in a project that would completely transform the scope of health ministry in the region.

What they found upon arrival was a facility with potential “a beautiful two-level structure” but limited in services.

“From the moment we arrived, we witnessed God’s providence. The infrastructure had been restored thanks to a government donation and the support of Adventist Health International, laying the foundation for the growth of a comprehensive health center,” they said.

Over the following months, the space began to expand both in capacity and impact.

“When we arrived, the work consisted of a dental clinic; however, we had the privilege of participating in its transformation into a Medical Center with multiple areas of care, turning it into a true center of service for the community,” they explained.

Through the joint efforts of the Seventh-day Adventist Church headquarters, leaders in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, the church in northeastern Angola, and Adventist Health International, the project experienced significant growth, eventually becoming the Healthy Living Adventist Medical Center.

The facility expanded from offering limited services to providing comprehensive care, incorporating areas such as a fully equipped dental laboratory, including fixed and removable prosthetics, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and splints, along with physiotherapy, electrotherapy, infrared therapy, therapeutic massage, nursing, general medicine, and specialized care including otolaryngology, ophthalmology, optometry, psychology, and nutrition.

In addition to infrastructure growth, team development became a key priority.

“One of the main focuses was building a team committed to a shared vision and mission: to serve with excellence, compassion, and purpose. Before our departure, plans were already underway to implement a clinical laboratory, further expanding the scope of services,” they said.

The missionaries noted that one of the greatest challenges was acquiring equipment and training personnel. However, they emphasized that God provided.

“Staff were trained in various areas, including dental laboratory work, nursing, dental assistance, and physiotherapy. Local professionals, along with international support from Cuban doctors and a Colombian ophthalmology specialist, significantly strengthened the team,” they shared.

Alongside the development of the medical center, the impact extended into the surrounding communities.

“For nearly two years, we promoted comprehensive health through weeks of prayer, three-day medical brigades, and health congresses in Luanda,” they said.

One of the most notable outreach efforts took place in the municipality of Pungo Andongo, in collaboration with the government of Malanje province. Services included pediatrics, general medicine, dentistry, prosthetics, laboratory testing, rapid malaria tests, and the free distribution of medications. Health education, especially oral hygiene, was also emphasized.

“More than 2,000 people benefited from this initiative, which had a significant impact and was even recognized at the national level,” they said.

These initiatives allowed thousands to receive care and positioned the health ministry as a bridge of service and hope.

For Díaz and Rodríguez, Angola has once again become a defining chapter in their missionary journey.

“Angola has become a special place for our family. We have witnessed God’s love at work in this country. We carry every experience in our hearts and pray that the health ministry will continue to grow and bring hope to many lives,” they said.

Their story does not end here. What began in Luanda has already led to a new call, opening the door to another mission field, with new challenges and opportunities to serve.