The “Heart to Heart” philanthropic cardiac surgical mission to Santiago, Dominican Republic was started and organized by Robert D. Pascotto M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon of Fort Myers, Florida.
Since September 2002, His teams have orchestrated three mission trips annually and have operated on over 200 patients with excellent results. This program was initiated to fulfill a void and need for cardiac surgery at Jose Maria Cabral y Baez Hospital in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This is a 520 bed public hospital that cares for indigent patients and serves a population of greater than 3.2 million people. There is no cardiac surgery in the area. The patients are mostly young individuals with valvular heart disease. Over 200 heart valves have been replaced in these young individuals. As you may recognize these are very costly operative procedures.
We are fortunate enough to be part of Dr Pascotto’s October 2009 mission.
Our cardiac surgical team to the Dominican Republic of 19 members is composed of very qualified nurses, technicians, and assistants, cardiac surgeon and cardiac anesthesiologist, who use their personal vacation time. They are from all parts of the US. This is an all volunteer mission with no paid members.
Our Mission 22 trip team members include;
Dr Robert Pascotto and Joan Pascotto, RN
Dr Wil Szerenyi and Dr Joseph Bondranko-Anesthesiologists,
James Zishler and Jim Bobby- Perfusionists,
Gary Fehl and Roger Gabriel-PA’s,
Joseph Butterfield and Norma Ramos-Surg Techs,
Shannon Stiller, Heidi Dietert, Evonne Hendren- OR RN’s,
Laurie Schoenherr, Shari Goeden, Chris Schultz and Elizabeth Dunst ICU-RN’s,
Dr John Crouch and myself.
While there we are hoping to educated young Dominican doctors and hospital staff in the care and treatment of the cardiac surgical patient. Dr Pascotto’s goal is to establish an ongoing program.
Dr Pascotto’s teams have felt that helping to aid in the preservation of human life in a country less fortunate than our own is an important calling. It is time to give back.
Any monies that we obtain is used to support the mission, purchase needed equipment and to continue the educational process that we have instituted. This is a tax exempt organization.
Please visit Dr Pascotto’s web site: www.heartmssion.com.
Any help with our mission be it financial or otherwise is not only appreciated by us but also by the people of Santiago whose lives you help to save.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Curtis C. Quinn, MD F.A.C.S.
John Crouch, MD F.A.C.S.
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