"El Bien Público" Medical Practice

Scope and content:

In 1911, Jose Ramon Avellanal bought El Bien Publico from a man named José Tomás. At the time of the acquisition, the society had a small membership and was called "La Beneficiencia Cubana." Renamed and nurtured by Avellanal, the society grew in membership.

In 1918, Avellanal merged three more societies with El Bien Publico. They were La Hispano-Cubana, La Equidad, and La Ancora. In 1921, he bought out Tampa; in 1923, La Bondad and El Progreso were added, and in 1926, El Aguila was acquired. Dr. Avellanal had no partners in El Bien Publico, and he oversaw the medical as well as the administrative aspects of the clinic's activities.

At the time of Avellanal's death, El Bien Publico had a membership of approximately 25,000. Members paid weekly dues and received all needed medical services, including convalescing trips, a small workers' benefit (if they were too sick to work), and funeral benefits.

Contents

Access and use