Going Global: Costa Rica

In November 2021, Heart to Heart traveled to Costa Rica’s National Children’s Hospital to conduct our first ever training mission in the country! Led by doctors Kirk Kanter, Beth Wilson, and Frank Cetta, the team reviewed patient cases with our Costa Rican colleagues and presented lectures on atrioventricular septal defect and the Ross procedure. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the pediatric cardiac team at the National Children’s Hospital.

Longtime Heart to Heart medical volunteer, congenital cardiologist Dr. Frank Cetta of the Mayo Clinic (center) performs an echocardiogram on heart patient Daniel as local interventional cardiologist Dr. Carlos Mas looks on. Five-year-old Daniel had

Longtime Heart to Heart medical volunteer, congenital cardiologist Dr. Frank Cetta of the Mayo Clinic (center) performs an echocardiogram on heart patient Daniel as local interventional cardiologist Dr. Carlos Mas looks on. Five-year-old Daniel had recently undergone the Fontan surgery for his complex congenital heart defect. His repair was successful, and he is doing well.

Heart to Heart medical volunteers and our Costa Rican colleagues examine and discuss a post-operative patient recovering in the intensive care unit. Group discussions are an important part of Heart to Heart’s collaborative approach to knowledge tran

Heart to Heart medical volunteers and our Costa Rican colleagues examine and discuss a post-operative patient recovering in the intensive care unit. Group discussions are an important part of Heart to Heart’s collaborative approach to knowledge transfer.

Pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Kirk Kanter of Emory University / Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (right) presents a lecture on the surgical treatment of atrioventricular septal defects. Dr. Hernan Carcamo (green scrubs) interprets the lecture into S

Pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Kirk Kanter of Emory University / Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (right) presents a lecture on the surgical treatment of atrioventricular septal defects. Dr. Hernan Carcamo (green scrubs) interprets the lecture into Spanish. Bilingual communication is a vital part of Heart to Heart’s education and training approach. It is critically important that nuances of cardiac medicine – rarely found in textbooks – are clearly conveyed to the local team.

Pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Beth Wilson of Emory University / Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (right) presents a lecture on anesthesiology considerations for the Ross procedure as Dr. Teresita Alfonso (left) provides consecutive interpre

Pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Beth Wilson of Emory University / Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (right) presents a lecture on anesthesiology considerations for the Ross procedure as Dr. Teresita Alfonso (left) provides consecutive interpreting. All local specialists – doctors, nurses, and technicians alike – are encouraged to attend and participate during lectures. Eighteen hospital staff members attended this lecture and the Q&A session that followed.

Each year 700 children are born with congenital heart disease in Costa Rica. In March 2022, Heart to Heart will conduct our first surgical-educational training mission to the National Children’s Hospital. We are excited to help expand cardiac care i

Each year 700 children are born with congenital heart disease in Costa Rica. In March 2022, Heart to Heart will conduct our first surgical-educational training mission to the National Children’s Hospital. We are excited to help expand cardiac care in this country, so all children and adults will have access to the life-saving heart care they need.