History of Oasis of Hope

Dr. Ernesto Contreras was a man of profound faith and deep medical conviction. After completing his medical degree at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and training in pathology at Harvard University, he returned to Mexico determined to change the way medicine was practiced.

During his years as a pathologist, Dr. Contreras saw the limitations of treating disease in isolation from the human being behind it. He believed that true healing required more than clinical procedures — it required compassion, integrity, and faith.

Guided by two principles that defined his career, Dr. Contreras founded Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico:

1. “First, do no harm.” — Following the timeless wisdom of Hippocrates, he sought treatments that supported and strengthened the patient rather than breaking them down.
2. “Treat your patient as you would treat yourself.” — A biblical principle rooted in love and empathy, this commandment shaped the culture of Oasis of Hope, where every patient would be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

These two guiding beliefs became the pillars of Oasis of Hope’s enduring philosophy: to treat each patient as a unique and sacred individual, and to combine medical excellence with heartfelt care.

When Oasis of Hope opened in 1963, the concept of integrative or holistic cancer treatment was virtually unknown. Conventional oncology focused almost entirely on destroying cancer cells — often with severe consequences for the patient’s overall health and quality of life.

Dr. Contreras envisioned something radically different: an approach that worked with the body, not against it. He introduced nutritional therapies, metabolic treatments, and immune support protocols that aimed to help the body restore balance and resilience.

At a time when few physicians spoke of diet, detoxification, or the immune system in relation to cancer, Dr. Contreras was already exploring their importance. He also incorporated natural substances such as Laetrile (Vitamin B17), studied for its potential anti-cancer properties, and emphasized spiritual support as an essential part of care.

Patients from around the world began to arrive — not only for treatment, but for hope. They found a place where doctors prayed with them, nurses held their hands, and faith was considered a vital part of healing.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Oasis of Hope gained international attention for its compassionate approach and the thousands of patients who reported improved health and renewed faith.

Word spread quickly. By the 1980s, the hospital had become a destination for patients from over 60 countries, many of whom had exhausted conventional options elsewhere. Medical professionals, pastors, and journalists visited Tijuana to witness firsthand what was being called “a hospital built on hope.”

Documentaries, books, and medical discussions soon highlighted the work of Dr. Contreras as one of the pioneers of alternative cancer treatment in the 20th century. Dr. Contreras’ methods, his sincerity, humility, and dedication to patient welfare earned respect worldwide.

When Dr. Francisco Contreras, son of the founder, took leadership of Oasis of Hope, he brought with him both a deep reverence for his father’s faith-based philosophy and a passion for scientific advancement.

Trained in both surgical oncology and integrative medicine, Dr. Francisco expanded Oasis of Hope’s reach and medical capabilities.

Under his direction, Oasis of Hope became one of the few hospitals in the world where modern science and biblical compassion coexist seamlessly.

Oasis of Hope was never meant to be just a hospital. It was founded as a ministry of healing — a place where faith and medicine unite to comfort, strengthen, and restore.

Each day begins with morning devotionals led by the hospital’s pastor, inviting patients, families, and staff to gather in prayer and reflection. Sundays bring worship services, often with messages delivered by Dr. Francisco Contreras, celebrating faith, gratitude, and perseverance.

Every aspect of the Oasis experience — from the smiles of the nurses to the warmth of the community — reflects a spiritual foundation that has guided the institution since its creation. Here, patients discover that healing is not only physical, but deeply spiritual and emotional as well.

Today, more than 100,000 patients from around the world have come to Oasis of Hope seeking care and finding transformation. Many describe their experience not just as medical treatment, but as a life-changing encounter with faith, love, and purpose.

The hospital continues to stand as a pioneer in integrative oncology, combining immunotherapy, metabolic medicine, and natural healing with unwavering compassion and faith.

What began in a small clinic in Tijuana has become a global symbol of hope — still guided by the same principles that Dr. Ernesto Contreras established more than sixty years ago.