On August 16 , 1906 a major earthquake struck Valparaíso with great devastation and thousands of deaths . Chilean doctor Carlos Van Buren , of American descent , was involved in medical care of earthquake victims . He later established a modern hospital Carlos Van Buren Hospital in 1912 . American and European medical staffers improved medical care in Chile , where it has a universal health system since 1925
a major earthquake
1906 Valparaíso earthquake
Americans and Canadians in Chile