HEALING CHILDREN S HEARTS IN EL SALVADOR MAY 2015 ======================================================================= Board of Directors: Robert Michler, MD Founder & Chairman William Schechter, MD Vice Chairman Paul Lange, Treasurer Sally Michler, Secretary Phyllis Jacob, Assistant Treasurer Susan Poland, Legal Counsel Reverend Ron Allison Chris Combe Andrew Fox Greg Islan Anne Kennedy Carolyn Kyne, Team Captain: ICU Ilda Lee Betsy Tirado, Logistics Coordinator Sam Weinstein, MD Team Captain: Surgery Administrative Staff: Erendira Matzumura Executive Director Amy J. Weinstein Marketing/Operations Consultant Heart Care International is a federally recognized non- for- profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Please visit our website at: www.heartcareintl.org Dear Friends of Heart Care International: The Heart Care International team of volunteer medical professionals returned to El Salvador from May 15 th May 27 th 2015. This is the 12 th year that HCI has traveled to San Salvador to conduct medical and surgical education and training. The team screened 30 children, performed life- saving heart surgeries on 10 children and worked side- by- side with the medical staff from Hospital del Ninos Benjamin Bloom. Together with the Benjamin Bloom administration and our NGO partner Sana Mi Corazon, we continue to ensure excellent outcomes for these children as well as the overall organization of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery program at the hospital. Importantly, this trip was greatly enabled through our generous corporate sponsors, including AmeriCares, Sorin, Abbott Point of Care, MedWish, CookMedical, Atrium Medical, and MAP International. These sponsors help guarantee that Heart Care International has the medical supplies available to maximize the number of children that can be treated and cured. Please take a moment to review the impact of this recent Heart Care International mission. The children continue to thrive after their life- saving heart procedures! Thank you so much for your continued support! Most Sincerely, The Heart Care International Board of Directors
OUR PATIENTS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Henry Bladimir, 17 Andrea Pamela, 2y, 2m months Jose Isaac, 5y, 11m Adriana, 2y, 9m Daniel Enrique, 5y, 7m Ludwin Isaias, 4y, 8m Emily Isabel, 7m Marilyn Stacy, 4m Anderson, 3y, 10m David Rene, 10 y
OUR MEDICAL PARTNERS: IN AND OUT OF THE OR The success of Heart Care International s pediatric life- saving heart missions is impacted each day by the caliber and commitment of the El Salvadorian medical team that joins us in and out of the OR. Together, we create a cohesive team that administers the highest level of patient care to each and every patient that we see. The team members share medical knowledge and work endless hours together to heal the hearts of our youngest patients.
SANA MI CORAZON IS A ROLE MODEL NGO PARTNER With 12 years of partnership, Sana Mi Corazon continues to offer support to HCI s mission trips before, during and after the team has arrived in San Salvador. Whether organizing transportation for our team members to and from the hospital, ensuring that the equipment and supplies arrive safely through customs or joining HCI in the pre and post operating rooms with family members, this organization continues to exceed HCI s expectations. HCI is grateful for the strong leadership of Patricia Gomez de Arce, Celina de Quinonez and Fernando Aguirreurreta, which enables HCI to maximize the impact of each mission trip. CLAUDIA TUJAB, 1995 HCI PATIENT, BECOMES HCI FAMILY AMBASSADOR 20 years after receiving a life- saving heart operation from Heart Care International s team in her home country of Guatemala, Claudia Tujab contacted HCI to let us know how grateful she was for her gift of life and to offer her assistance. Currently, 25 years old and working towards her college degree in her native land, Claudia took a leave of absence from her studies and joined the HCI team in San Salvador to become HCI s first Patient Ambassador for families with children being evaluated by the HCI team. Working with the families from the moment they entered the hospital until they were released after their procedure, Claudia brought comfort and reassurance to the parents and children. HCI is so proud to welcome Claudia as a new member of our team.
NURSING CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING During the most recent mission, Team Captain and Trip Logistics Coordinator, Betsy Tirado (RN), conducted a one- day education and training conference for two- dozen nurses and respiratory therapists from Benjamin Bloom and surrounding areas. The conference focused on the most common open- heart procedures and infection control in the management of congenital heart defect patients. OUR IN- KIND SPONSORS Travelling overseas to administer life- saving heart procedures to children in developing countries is a challenge on so many fronts. The generosity of our in- kind medical supply sponsors enable Heart Care International to conduct the maximum number of procedures at the lowest per patient cost, thereby ensuring that no child is left behind. Heart Care International is extremely grateful to these critical sponsors: HEART CARE INTERNATIONAL S 100% VOLUNTEER MEDICAL STAFF Giving up personal time with their families and vacation time at their regular places of employment, the interdisciplinary HCI team in San Salvador was made up of 36 medical professionals from 9 different states and 11 medical institutions. These individuals are the heart and soul of Heart Care International s operation and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity of time, talent and treasure.
2015 May HCI Team Members: Samuel Weinstein Surgery Victoria Trinh ICU Nurse Rabin Gerrah Surgery Ariel Warren ICU Nurse Heidi Boules Anesthesia Heather Tucker OR Nurse Sherif Meckael Anesthesia Chelsea Lebron OR Tech Sergio Medrano Biomed Vivian Santiago OR Tech Daphne Hsu Cardiology Fernando Molina Pediatrician Carlos Montoya Cardiology Jordanna Newberger Perfusion Gerson Valencia Villeda Cardiology Daniel Rodriguez Perfusion Margaret Challenger Echo Tech Daniel Starita Perfusion Ramon Gist ICU Doctor Chris Brooks RNFA Cesar Mella ICU Doctor Kristy Cook RNFA Diana Vargas ICU Doctor Cathy Guanzon Resp. Therapist Cara Capriglione ICU Nurse Edward Gurrero Resp. Therapist Denise Esparza ICU Nurse Juan Martinez Resp. Therapist Marilyn Herrera ICU Nurse Michelle Wilder Screen RN Stephanie Isola Smith ICU Nurse Greg Islan Volunteer Artressa Ng ICU Nurse Father Donald Johnston Volunteer Julissa Reyes ICU Nurse Claudia Tujab Volunteer Betsy Tirado Trip Logistics/ICU RN Team member highlights: Thank you everyone for your hard work. Great to see old friends and make new friends. See you in the next trip. - Cesar Mella Muchas Gracias for everything you do for our children. - Carlos Montoya- Iraheta Congratulations on a wonderful trip and thank you so very much for taking your special gifts to help children in need. I know these trips take your personal time away from family. Your commitment is amazing and greatly appreciated! Thank you so very much and I hope to see you all soon! Dr. Robert Michler, Founder & Chairman, HCI
Thanks to our donors, sponsors and volunteers, Heart Care International can heal children s hearts around the world, giving these children, and so many more, the hope for a brighter and healthier future. May 2015 ES Children Are so grateful for your support! 2014 Patients Ramon, Christian and Nehemias Return to Thank HCI for their Life- Saving Procedures: