Guatemala 1994 - 2001
In 1994, Dr. Robert Michler realized his vision of
- providing heart care services to indigent children (and young adults) in developing countries and
- training local medical personnel to become independent caregivers
by organizing the first Heart Care International mission trip to Guatemala. Creating the model for a physician led and organized life-saving mission, Dr. Micheler enlisted the help of the 2nd Congregational Church for financial and logistic support. He also tapped his resource base of medical personnel to volunteer their vacation time to staff the trip.
The trip in 1994, involving almost 50 medical personnel, 4 logistic managers and countlesss generous donors, saved the lives of 38 Guatemalan children and reinforced Dr. Micheler's commitment to fulfilling his vision.
The lasting legacy of HCI in Guatemala is not just the lives that were saved, but the opening of the Pediatric Heart Center in Guatemala City, led by HCI partner Dr. Aldo Castaneda. Today, children suffering from congenital heart defects are treated at this state-of-the-art medical center in their home country. Staffed by local Guatemalan medical and technical specialists, trained (in large part) by HCI team members.
HCI continues a positive, two way education and training relationship with the Pediatric Heart Center and is proud to have been an integral player in the establishment of such a fine institution.
This partnership also paved the way for developing new partnerships with physicians in the Dominican Republic El Salvador.