Archives for December 2014

December 23, 2014

ICHF Heals Hearts of 23 Children During November Dominican Republic Mission

We recently returned from our Nov. 8-22 medical mission to Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, with great success!

Through our continuing partnership with Dr. Juan Ramirez at Hospital Infantil Regional Universitario Dr. Arturo Grullón (Children’s Hospital of Santiago), ICHF performed 16 pediatric cardiac surgeries and seven cardiac catheterization procedures at no cost to the patients’ families.

Wondering what cardiac catheterization is?

During this procedure, a long thin tube is inserted in a major artery or vein and threaded through to the heart, allowing physicians to perform diagnostic tests and, if necessary, fix certain cardiac defects.

Working with Partners

With our global team of volunteer health care professionals from eight countries — including Argentina, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Macedonia, United States and Egypt — ICHF also trained the local hospital staff in cardiac procedures and provided necessary medicines and supplies.

We’re proud to have been working with the Children’s Hospital of Santiago for more than five years, during which we’ve performed more than 300 pediatric cardiac surgeries.

We’re looking forward to healing many more hearts in Santiago during our 2015 missions!

December 22, 2014

Volunteer Nergess Taheri

This trip was an amazing experience. It allowed me to use my medical knowledge and taught me so much. I really loved that the team was so willing to teach me. I learned something from everyone. I felt it was a key part of my experience that everyone was so willing to teach.

As a future physician this trip has confirmed my desire to be a surgeon and to work in pediatrics. I hope that once I finish my schooling I can return as an ICHF surgeon and work alongside the local teams to assist in anyway I can. I was also inspired to go to Ecuador as often as I can. I enjoyed the teamwork we all had and it felt like I had known everyone for years instead of days.

I also really enjoyed rotating through each field as it allowed me to experience patient triage and to follow that patient throughout their recovery. For students I do recommend telling those with little spanish background to bring a dictionary as it was very helpful when wifi was not around.

All in all this was an experience of a lifetime and I am so beyond thankful to have been a part of this amazing team. Thank you for this opportunity and I hope to be a part of the future of ICHF.

December 18, 2014

ICHF Appoints Rodrigo Soto, M.D., as CEO of Clinical Operations

As International Children’s Heart Foundation continues to evolve, we’re excited to announce the appointment of pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Rodrigo Soto as our new Chief Executive Officer of Clinical Operations.

Dr. Soto has worked with ICHF for more than a decade, serving as a volunteer pediatric cardiac surgeon from 2002 to 2012 before transitioning to staff surgeon in early 2013.

In his new leadership position, Dr. Soto will oversee all aspects of ICHF’s medical missions, including expanding our medical volunteer team and strengthening and growing our partnerships with hospitals and medical clinics around the globe.

“During this new phase of ICHF’s history, I want to strongly emphasize my commitment to the foundation’s mission of saving children with congenital heart disease – regardless of country of origin, race, religion or gender – and providing crucial cardiac care training to medical professionals in developing nations,” Dr. Soto said. “I’m looking forward to playing a strong role in increasing the number of lives we save.”

Since its beginnings in 1993, ICHF’s volunteer medical teams have performed more than 7,000 free heart surgeries on children in developing nations who lack sufficient access to pediatric cardiac surgeons. Additionally, ICHF medical teams also train local medical professionals in cardiac care, enabling them to continue to save lives long after missions are completed.

“I’d like to extend a personal invitation to medical professionals throughout the world to join us as a volunteer on an upcoming medical mission,” Soto said. “Not only will your participation result in lasting memories and invaluable professional experience, but your unselfish donation of your time and expertise also will save lives, provide joy and hope to countless families, and empower medical practitioners in other countries to continue this very important work.”

Learn more about becoming an ICHF Medical Volunteer

For a complete history of Dr. Soto’s extensive medical credentials, please visit Dr Soto’s staff biography page