HITN, in partnership with South Florida PBS’s Health Channel and Mercy Ships, premiered the series Barcos de Esperanza (The Surgery Ship) at an exclusive screening hosted at Esperanza, a cornerstone institution in North Philadelphia’s Hispanic community.

Dolores Fernández Alonso, Luis Cortés Jr. & Mike Nieves

The eight-part series highlights the extraordinary work of volunteers aboard Mercy Ships, a nonprofit organization that operates floating hospitals providing free medical care in Africa. Guests at the Esperanza Arts Center previewed the first episode and joined a discussion on the humanitarian efforts showcased in the program.

“It is with immense pride that we premiere Barcos de Esperanza on HITN, a truly remarkable series that celebrates the inspiring work of Mercy Ships and the profound impact of their humanitarian mission,” said Michael D. Nieves, HITN’s president and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., for welcoming us to Esperanza Arts Center. Philadelphia is a vital audience for HITN, and we are excited to launch this series with such a dynamic local Hispanic community.”

HITN, Esperanza, Mercy Ships & South Florida PBS teams

The event underscored HITN’s commitment to building connections with Hispanic audiences nationwide. By collaborating with Esperanza, HITN extended the series’ message of service and compassion into a community-focused celebration.

“Barcos de Esperanza reminds us that faith and compassion can change lives,” said Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., founder and CEO of Esperanza. “This series is more than a story; it is an invitation to reflect on how we can use our own gifts to bring strength and hope to others.”