Laurel in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
An Angel Among US
February 28, 1922 - February 14, 2006
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
1. An Angel Among US Marker
Inscription.
An Angel Among US. February 28, 1922 - February 14, 2006. Dr. Luis M. Arbona stepped through the doors of Reality in 1972 as its medical director. Often described as "not of this planet," he rose from humble beginnings in rural Utuado, Puerto Rico to become a gifted and pioneering physician and humanitarian. At age six, he lost his father to tuberculosis, and helped to feed the family by sweeping floors for twenty-five cents per week and later making furniture. He decided that healing the sick was the most noble thing he could do, and never waivered from following his dream. , Dr. Arbona's distinguished career evolved from surgeon and general practitioner to psychiatrist, and took him from Mexico to New York, Maryland and Washington, DC. Seeing the devastating effects of substance abuse and mental illness on families and communities, he dedicated his life to improving mental health and relieving the suffering caused by addiction. He was recognized among his peers for his tenacity, intelligence, teaching ability, innate assessment skills and deep insight. He broke barriers as a vice chief of Prince Georges Hospital, challenging old stigmas of both psychiatry and alcoholism, and founding Maryland's first public alcoholic treatment unit. Known for his remarkable bedside manner, he saw his patients as people with value, rather than as disease entities. In his twenty years at Reality House, he transformed many lives, helping all who crossed his path. His motto was to "Always Give Hope." Dr. Luis Arbona was a shining ray of light, whose tireless service, generosity of spirit and compassion are truly a gift to humanity. In memoriam, we thank him.
Dr. Luis M. Arbona stepped through the doors of Reality in 1972 as its medical director. Often described as "not of this planet," he rose from humble beginnings in rural Utuado, Puerto Rico to become a gifted and pioneering physician and humanitarian. At age six, he lost his father to tuberculosis, and helped to feed the family by sweeping floors for twenty-five cents per week and later making furniture. He decided that healing the sick was the most noble thing he could do, and never waivered from following his dream.
Dr. Arbona's distinguished career evolved from surgeon and general practitioner to psychiatrist, and took him from Mexico to New York, Maryland and Washington, DC. Seeing the devastating effects of substance abuse and mental illness on families and communities, he dedicated his life to improving mental health and relieving the suffering caused by addiction. He was recognized among his peers for his tenacity, intelligence, teaching ability, innate assessment skills and deep insight. He broke barriers as a vice chief of Prince Georges Hospital, challenging old stigmas of both psychiatry and alcoholism, and founding Maryland's first public alcoholic treatment unit. Known for his remarkable bedside manner, he saw his patients as people with value, rather than as disease entities. In his twenty years at Reality House,
Click or scan to see this page online
he transformed many lives, helping all who crossed his path. His motto was to "Always Give Hope." Dr. Luis Arbona was a shining ray of light, whose tireless service, generosity of spirit and compassion are truly a gift to humanity. In memoriam, we thank him.
Erected 2006.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.
Location. 39° 6.404′ N, 76° 50.959′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 Main Street, Laurel MD 20707, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
2. An Angel Among Us Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
3. An Angel Among US Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
4. An Angel Among US
Close-up of Image of Dr. Luis Arbona on the marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
5. Hope House
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
6. Hope House Formerly Reality House
419 Main Street
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 15, 2014
7. Site 22, c. 1860 Laurel Walking Tour
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 510 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 16, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.