In its second medical mission trip of 2015, the ICHF team traveled to Santiago, Dominican Republic to serve both Dominican and Haitian children from March 14-22.
Seven days, seven lives forever changed
Throughout the week, Dr. Soto led our team of 11 volunteers from Canada, Ukraine, Chile and the United States. Through a combined effort of our skilled volunteers and the local medical team, 7 very complex cases were performed including a mitral valve replacement, multiple tetralogy of fallot repairs, PA banding in an AV Canal with pulmonary hypertension, and a pulmonary stenosis repair.
The children ranged in age from 8 months to 15 years old and have since made incredible recoveries. Maiah was discharged early in the week, and Rolfi and Marc were in the step-down unit when we left. Our other patients, Benyermi, Jailen, Erick and Chrislove were still in the ICU when we left, but all of them were stable and progressing well.
Chrislove was by far the sickest patient we saw, but we are pleased to report that she is has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering well! She will be on long-term medications to help her left ventricle recover, but with the help of her surgery and tenacious spirit, we are hopeful for her future.
Local medical teams receive training
Part of our week was also spent educating local ICU doctors and nurses on the topics of mitral valve regurgitation and tetralogy of fallot. Education included preop diagnosis, surgical repair, and postop management of each one.
In addition to our incredible volunteers, this life-changing trip would not have been possible without the help of our wonderful supporters. If you feel inspired to support ICHF, we encourage you to check out the upcoming medical volunteer and non-medical volunteer opportunities that ICHF has to offer, as well as ways you can donate to make more surgeries like these possible.
Next up, we’ll be traveling to Asuncion, Paraguay, April 11 to 18. Stay tuned for more trip updates!
