Photo by Samantha Bengtson
Dr. Dominador Gines has worked with many South County residents over the years through his family practice in Gonzales.
GONZALES — Dr. Dominador Gines will retire from his Gonzales medical practice after 26 years on June 30.
Gines began practicing medicine in 1976 as a surgeon in the Philippines at Veterans Memorial Center. He chose medicine because his parents were always encouraging him to give an act of kindness no matter the significancy.
“You have to take that chance because kindness brings happiness,” Gines said. “That’s a lesson I took to heart.”
According to Gines, he was researching liver cancer when the head of research at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Pennsylvania contacted the chief of surgery about sending Gines to Philadelphia, where he could learn about liver cancer treatment.
Gines arrived in the United States on Oct. 6, 1976. While he was traveling to Hawaii and then California, the chief of surgery’s wife went into labor and the chief was placed on leave.
Gines decided to start studying for the medical exams in the United States that would allow him to practice medicine. While waiting to take the exams, he found a job as a technician in order to support himself.
After he passed the exams in December 1977, Gines was traveling and broke down in front of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.
While waiting for the mechanic to come fix his car, Gines browsed the hospital and the staff told him they were looking for a technician.
In the following years, Gines interned and completed a residency at Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Center from 1978 to 1981.
He then became the staff physician and surgeon at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad.
Gines’ previous practice was in Salinas before bringing it to Gonzales on Alta Street.
Gines said he tried retiring once before in 2006 but returned to medicine right away because he was tired of sleeping and playing golf.
Gines has been serving the residents of Gonzales for 26 years. Dr. Ignacio Guzman and Luz Garcia, PAC, from Gonzales Medical Center and Gonzales Family Care will take over the clinic on July 1.
