Dr. John Croes, an Aruban who enjoys wide international recognition, was recently surprised in his medical practice in Madiki by a gesture of appreciation from a patient who came on behalf of his entire family. The gesture was intended to recognize not only his work as a doctor, but also his role as a medical advisor to generations of families.
For Dr. Croes, the moment was received with surprise and deep gratitude. Over the years, he has noticed that more and more patients express appreciation for the medical care he has provided in Aruba. Nevertheless, abroad his work is recognized at a much higher level, particularly in Europe, where he is praised as a Medical Ambassador for South America, Central America, and the Caribbean region.
Dr. Croes indicated that he has never sought recognition or personal fame, as he has always believed in humility and in placing the patient at the center. However, he expressed that the time has come when the title he received internationally could be used to actively contribute to the development of healthcare in Aruba.
Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Croes is optimistic and has expressed his desire to do more for the local community. According to Croes, he feels he has the energy and capacity to continue practicing his profession for more than 20 additional years.
The title of Medical Ambassador was conferred by a renowned Spanish professor in the field of integrative medicine, a discipline that combines various branches of medicine and that few professionals are able to master. During an international congress attended exclusively by specialists, Dr. Croes participated to deepen his knowledge. However, an unexpected event placed the Aruban doctor at the center of attention.
After a cardiologist from Africa was unable to proceed during the congress, Dr. Croes was invited to give a presentation. During his lecture, he shared his own research titled “What causes patients to die during the night hours,” in which he explained the biological and chemical processes that take place in the human body during the night. The presentation made a strong impression on the specialists present.
According to shared information, the audience recognized that Dr. Croes is not merely a general practitioner, but that his level of knowledge is comparable to that of a specialist. As a result, Croes was officially appointed Medical Ambassador for South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. This recognition was accompanied by a formal ceremony, an honorary dinner, and an official letter facilitating international medical cooperation.
Despite his global recognition, Dr. Croes remains committed to his people. He is currently working on ambitious plans for the future of healthcare in Aruba. According to Croes, there are concrete possibilities to develop modern hospital infrastructure, including a hospital based on artificial intelligence, Quantum Medicine, and robotic technology. According to his vision, this would allow Aruba to perform advanced procedures such as heart transplants and to create its own stem cell bank.
Dr. Croes emphasized that the financial resources for such initiatives are already available, but that political will is required to turn these projects into reality.
Finally, Dr. Croes expressed his deep gratitude to his patients, who continue to trust and appreciate his work. He acknowledged that there is dissatisfaction within the community regarding the healthcare system in Aruba, particularly concerning patient treatment, but pointed out that the solution lies in a deeper and more humane medical approach.
According to Dr. Croes, healthcare is not limited to treating symptoms, but to examining the person as a whole. He advocates for a shift away from purely conventional medicine toward functional medicine and precision medicine—a direction which, according to Croes, represents the future of healthcare worldwide.
Although this approach is widely adopted and praised in Europe, Dr. Croes regrets that in Aruba the model is not yet fully understood or accepted. Nevertheless, he remains confident that future generations will follow the path the global medical world is taking.