Jamie Byer’s Fund

In 2004, Jamie Byers approached the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society at the University of Colorado with an opportunity to take part in a life-changing trip. His plan was simple: to take a small group of student volunteers to under-served communities in rural Nicaragua and provide them with medical care. Jamie believed that the experience would not only help to meet the needs of these communities, but expose the volunteers to a radically different way of life and inspired their approach to their future careers in healthcare. His initiative grew quickly and eventually evolved into the HOLA Foundation.

As Jamie continued to travel to Nicaragua and he began building a foundation for a future as a veterinarian his vision evolved to include bringing healthcare to impoverished communities by proving medical support for not just the people and but their livestock too. This vision remains a core goal for HOLA today.

Jamie embodied love and compassion as he influenced what has evolved into a multifaceted healthcare organization. He is deeply missed by his patients and all those he aided during his many travels. As he often expressed, his heart was always with the people of Nicaragua and his passion and dedication to their care was unsurpassed. He has helped to empower communities in Nicaragua and change the lives all who have supported and served with the organization. In his short lifetime, Jamie built a legacy of love and service, and without him, HOLA would not exist.

In honor of Jamie’s dedication to his work and his incredible impact on the lives of his friends, family, and all those he served in Nicaragua over the years, the HOLA Foundation has established the Jamie Byers Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Money raised will be used to fund tuition scholarships for financially disadvantage veterinary students in Nicaragua who have demonstrated a commitment to community service, as Jamie spent the better part of his life doing.

In 2022, HOLA were proud to award the Jamie Byers scholarship to Elmer Antonio Hernandez Ojeda. Elmer (pictured right) is 24 years old and from the rural community of Miramar. Upon completion of his veterinary degree at the University of Leon, Elmar hopes to return to his home community and establish a veterinary clinic.