This World Humanitarian Day, we are delighted to highlight Kavitha Pundi, MD, a dedicated Heart to Heart medical volunteer and Associate Professor of Pediatric Cardiology at University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital. Dr. Pundi is motivated by a deep desire to create sustainable change and lasting impact by expanding access to life-saving cardiac care globally.

We are excited to share with you our program report covering our first two on-the-ground cardiac training missions in Costa Rica! We invite you to take a look at this report to learn more about how your generosity can directly impact children born with congenital heart defects, now and for generations to come.

Up to 25% of children affected by congenital heart disease (CHD) suffer from valve disease, a condition in which one (or more) of the heart’s four valves leaks or obstructs the flow of blood. In some cases, valves may fail to form properly in utero (called atresia), causing severe and even life-threatening disease in newborns and infants.

Behind every successful team are strong leaders. Today, we honor one of ours, Heart to Heart Founder & Medical Director, Nilas Young, MD, as he reaches an important personal milestone.

In 1989 Ben was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) at birth. At the time, there were very few hospitals in the U.S. capable of treating TGA.

At birth, Steven was diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) – specifically, total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) and pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) – and would require open heart surgery as a newborn.