Cece Lomeli-Perez

Cece Lomeli-Perez is the nurse practitioner at the Medical Center’s free clinic in downtown Fresno for the uninsured and underserved.

One day a humble man (we’ll call him “Marcel”), living on the streets for a long time, came in complaining of severe itching. Cece discovered that Marcel was infested with lice and scabies. She got him cleaned up, treated him and made arrangements for a free haircut and shave. Once Marcel’s bushy beard and long hair were removed, a huge tumor was revealed on his neck. Cece got him in to see an oncologist

who volunteers at the clinic. Marcel was diagnosed with throat cancer, as well as an advanced case of hepatitis C. Marcel soon lost the ability to speak and had great difficulty swallowing. Cece did all she could for him – providing treatment and pain medication, asking Poverello’s cooking staff to puree meals, and trying to find a place in a hospice facility. With no beds available, she used all her influence to get him into a hospital. When the breathing tube was finally removed, Cece was at Marcel’s side, holding his hand and encouraging him not to worry anymore, for he was “going home.” Marcel died peacefully a few moments later. Although Marcel was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave, Cece plans to get a stone marker engraved for him. While the whole experience was emotionally draining, Cece says she’d do it again in a heartbeat.