Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is the history of Heart Care International?
- How is Heart Care International funded?
- What percent of funds raised are allocated to overhead?
- How are Foreign Country Partners chosen?
- How are local children identified?
- What happens to the children after Heart Care International leaves?
- What medical specialties are involved in a typical Heart Care International mission trip?
- Who can volunteer for Heart Care International mission trips?
What is the history of Heart Care International?
In 1994, Dr. Robert Michler, founded Heart Care International by bringing together a small volunteer team of health care professionals from New York City to travel to Guatemala to administer life saving pediatric surgery for 25 Guatemalan children.
This experience solidified Heart Care International’s commitment to Guatemala and also highlighted the need to provide continuing education and training to local nurses and doctors. The outcome resulted in a long-term partnership between the local medical professionals in Guatemala with the goal of not only providing medical and surgical procedures for local children, but also training and educating local medical staff in order to help build a self-sufficient, independent Guatemalan pedicatric cardiac care program.
After several years in Guatemala City, Dr. Aldo Castaneda, the Surgeon in Chief from Children’s Hospital in Boston, retired to Guatemala. Building on Heart Care International's experience and using his local influence and international reputation, Dr. Castaneda helped establish a permanent pediatric heart center in Guatemala City in 2000.
Following the extraordinary transition to a more permanent program in Guatemala, in year 2000, Heart Care International transitioned its efforts to the Dominican Republic. Forging a strong relationship with Heart Care Dominicana, a local non-profit to benefit heart care for Dominican children, the two organizations have saved the lives of over 250 children by performing catheterizations, surgeries and comprehensive cardiac evaluations. In 2007, with the support of Heart Care International, and the consortium of The Internainal Hospital for Children (who began working in The Domincan in 2005) Heart Care Dominicana was successful in opening the doors of the first independent pediatric cardiac care program in the Dominican Republic.
In 2005, Heart Care International entered its third committment with El Salvador. Bloom Hospital, the only free standing pediatric hospital in Central America, hosts a proud team of pediatric specialists with over one hundred years of expertise in pediatric medicine. The Bloom Hospital and Heart Care International have made great strides in three years, advancing cardiac care and treating well over 200 children, solidifying ties between the American and El Salvadorial medical communities.
How is Heart Care International funded?
Heart Care International is a privately funded, non-secretarian, non-profit organization. Financial support from a variety of sources, including fundraising initiatives conducted by the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich Connecticut, an auxillary board and friends provide the backbone for financing the organization’s initiatives to date.
In addition, in-kind support from major health care companies and American Airlines (which provides reduced airfare for team members) have greatly assisted in enabling the missions to continue.
In 2008, Heart Care International became a member of the Independent Charities of America's Children's Medical Charities network. As such, the organzation is part of the Combined Federal Campaign which is a nationwide, year long, fundraising campaign.
Most recently, Heart Care International accepts contributions from donors around the world through its on-line, secure donation processing network.
What percent of funds raised are allocated to overhead?
Heart Care International has very low overhead, due in large part to the generousity of the volunteers that staff the organization, in-kind contributions from medical supply companies, as well as the hospitality of the Second Congregation Church which provides office space. On average, HCI's low overhead has enabled the organization to operate on a child for as little as $2,500. Over the course of the past 15 years, overhead expenses have ranged from 5 - 15%.
How are Foreign Country Partners chosen?
Heart Care International works in economically challenged countries that have limited experience with open heart surgery on infants and children. The selected foreign country partners are willing to create a long term relationship, lasting for at least five consecutive years, with the goal of raising the level and quality of diagnostic and surgical care for pediatric heart disease. Typically, the foreign country will have a partner non profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of cardiac care for children, which acts as a key liaison between the local medical community and administrative/government officials.
Heart Care International’s goal is to not just save the lives of indigenous children today, but to leave the country with a legacy of hope and self-sufficiency for the future of its pediatric heart care.
How are local children identified?
Children in the foreign country are identified initially by local medical professionals. The children are then evaluated by Heart Care International’s “Screen Team” who visit the country prior to each mission trip. Once evaluated, the children are categorized into four groups:
- Immediate Surgery
- Immediate Medical Intervention
- Immediate Catheterization, or
- Follow-Up.
What happens to the children after Heart Care International leaves?
Children who receive evaluations, medical procedures and surgical care from Heart Care International professionals are cared for by local, trained medical professionals after the mission team returns to the United States.
In addition, Heart Care International typically leaves a team of nurses and doctors on site at the host country for any length of time that children under Heart Care International’s auspices needs their assistance.
During the time period between mission trips, Heart Care International’s medical professionals are in constant communication with the foreign country partner to assist as issues arise.
In some instances where children need heart care that cannot be performed in the country, Heart Care International has arranged for the patient (and parent) to travel to the United States.
What medical specialties are involved in a typical Heart Care International mission trip?
Heart Care International is privileged to have volunteer support from the following medical and surgical specialities: pediatric cardiac surgery, pediatric cardiology, pediatric cardiac anesthesia, pediatric intensive care doctors and nurses, perfusion therapy, respiratory therapy, and pediatric operating room nurses.
Who can volunteer for Heart Care International mission trips?
Heart Care International welcomes pediatric medical and surgical volunteers from any country. To date, the team represents over 20 major medical institutions in over 22 states and 5 different countries.
If you have an area of expertise that you would be interested in sharing with Heart Care International, please contact us at heartcarei@aol.com.