Surgeons of Hope strives to create a world in which every infant and child with a damaged heart has an equal opportunity to receive life-saving surgery

Our "One Night For Hope" Gala drew a capacity crowd to a private dining room at Le Bernardin (New York City) April 15. A fabulous five-course meal was prepared by Chef Eric Ripert, and Guest Chef Marc Meurin of La Chateau de Beaulieu and complemented by fine French wines. Bidding on the auction items was spirited and generous, making Surgeons of Hope's first annual fundraising gala a resounding success with net proceeds in excess of $150,000. Thank you to all who came and all who could not come but contributed anyway! Photos can be seen on our Facebook page (Surgeons of Hope).

We have been privileged to benefit from your undeniable support that has been so vital to achieving our goals in Nicaragua. We have come a long way since inception of our program and outcomes have been extraordinary.Hundreds of little patients have been healed by international teams, but most importantly, we are now pleased to inform you that the local team is already successfully operating on some of the most common cardiac defects. The year 2013 is one of exciting achievements but also of more challenges.The Pediatric Heart Center of Nicaragua, a regional state-of-the-art facility dedicated to children with cardiac diseases, will open its doors during the first quarter.We are currently working diligently to obtain the sophisticated equipment needed to make this center operational.We are also investing in developing a self-sustainable model for the acquisition of permanent stocks of equipment and disposables, and we continue to support future program leaders to train in Latin American reference centers.International surgical and medical missions will be pursued every two to three months.This year will also see the development of a low maintenance and yet efficient telemedicine network and we will implement the first peripheral clinic dedicated to the identification, triage and follow-up of patients with cardiac diseases, with a particular emphasis in prevention.As ever, we need your support to achieve the ultimate objective: the consolidation of a strong and autonomic regional center for pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery. Eduardo M. da Cruz, MD Head, Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Program Head, Pediatric Cardiology Inpatient Services Director Children’s Hospital Colorado University of Colorado, Denver, School of Medicine Aurora, CO80045 – USA Phone:720-777-4055 or 720-777-6992 Email: Eduardo.dacruz@childrenscolorado.org

International Mission Team will do first surgeries in new Pediatric Heart Center

An international team headed by Dominique Metras, MD, of Marseille, France, will be gathered from hospitals in France, Colombia, and Palestine to open the doors of the new Pediatric Heart Center in late June. One of the two operating rooms has been outfitted with new equipment, and half of the ICU is ready to accept patients. This is will a truly exciting time for La Mascota Children's Hospital and for the ten little infants and children who will receive surgery.

Pediatric Heart Center Construction Completed

Philippe Lerch, SoH's Nicaragua Regional Program Director returned this month from one of many supervisory trips to Nicaragua, reporting that the construction phase of the new Pediatric Heart Center of Nicaragua is all but completed, with the final interior painting being done this month. Now the work escalates in earnest to equip and supply the new facility in time for its projected opening in the spring of 2013.

Board Member Honored by AJC
December, 2012 SoH Board member Judith O'Neill, Esq., was honored by the American Jewish Council New York Chapter in a special celebration, naming her as a "Woman of Valor". In addition to providing 15 years of service to that organization, she has become a renowned technology communications attorney, privatizing telecommunications systems worldwide. Congratulations, Judith!

Multiple Missions Completed; More Scheduled
July, 2012, saw completion of a successful surgical mission led by our President, Eduardo da Cruz, MD, and his team from Children's Hospital of Colorado, when 10 children received heart operations and the team was pleased to see that the local team took the lead on the surgery (a real step ahead).
In October, 2012, a French team headed by Dominique Metras, MD, completed a mission and operated on 9 infants and children, while continuing to provide training and advice to the local team, reporting that they saw great progress. Airfare for that mission was generously supported by Let It Beat Foundation, for which help Surgeons of Hope is grateful.
In November, 2012, a team from Belgium, headed by Drs. Katrien Francois and Daniel Dewolf, completed a surgical mission, saving the lives of ten children, and echoing the report of great progress, but seeing a need for specific equipment maintenance and replacement.
The East coast's hurricane in early November forced postponement of a surgical mission from Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, now re-scheduled to February, 2013. This team of 15 medical professionals are being joined by two representatives of Gift of Life (New Jersey). That mission team will be accompanied by a bio-engineer who will assist with equipment repair and assessment.

SoH Nicaraguan Foundation Created
After a lengthy application process, Surgeons of Hope received approval for a local Nicaraguan foundation to be created. The new foundation, Fundacion Cirujanos de la Esperanza, will meet for an organizational meeting in October. Surgeons of Hope celebrates this news as a positive achievement toward a sustainable future for the new Pediatric Heart Center of Nicaragua, under construction and slated to open in 2013. The elements are coming together.

Mission Team Returns Home to Colorado
Having completed their week-long mission to La Mascota Children's Hospital in Managua, the 11-member team arrived home late Sunday. Ten infants and children received life-saving operations during their mission, where the local hospital personnel collaborated well. The children have all returned to their homes. This week marked the 30th anniversary of the opening of the public hospital. Eduardo da Cruz, MD, team co-leader with James Jaggers, MD, both of Children's Hospital of Colorado (Aurora, CO), was interviewed on local TV and was featured in a press conference at the hospital. Construction continues on schedule at the new Pediatric Heart Center being built adjacent to La Mascota. Great strides have been made in our mission to provide equality in cardiac care.

Surgical Mission Underway in Nicaragua
July 17, 2012: An 11-member surgical team has traveled this week from Children's Hospital Colorado (Denver) to La Mascota Children's Hospital (Managua) to perform heart surgery and provide on-going professional development for local medical personnel. This mission coincides with celebration of the 30th anniversary of the opening of the hospital. Philippe Lerch, Director of the Nicaragua Program, reports that the delicate surgeries are underwayand that construction of the new Pediatric Heart Center of Nicaragua is on schedule.

Camilla (2) Arrives in New York for Surgery
Little Camilla flew to New York on June 12 with her mother Nohelia to prepare for heart surgery scheduled later this month. After taking their first airplane trip ever, they were greeted by Surgeons of Hope representatives and representatives of Comite Civico Cultural Nicaraguense who arranged for a host family and ground transportation for our visitors throughout their stay. We will be posting news of their stay as news develops.

Early Reports in from February Life Support Training Mission

Local Team Doctor Training Staff

Life Support and OR Sterilization Training Slated for early 2012, in Nicaragua
Continuing the resounding success experienced during the October training mission, we are now organizing training teams to travel from Denver and provide professional training in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support at La Mascota Children's Hospital. We are training the trainers to bring sustainable continuity in localized training in pediatric resuscitation. Our approach is excitingly innovative and markedly different from other humanitarian efforts. Also scheduled in early 2012 is training in Sterilization techniques. We have recently learned that training mannequins and other equipment for La Mascota have been donated by the Laerdal Corporation, in answer to a request made by Clay Dobronyi at Childen's Hospital Colorado in Denver. Thanks to all.

Training Mission Underway in Nicaragua October 24-29, 2011
A two-person team of experts in Echocardiography is spending a week at La Mascota, providing professional development for the medical staff and imaging services for poor children whose hearts are suffering from congenital or acquired heart defects. Members of the teaching team from Children's Hospital Colorado (Denver) are Adel Younoszai, MD, Physician Educator; and Scott Kirby, Cardiac Sonographer. First reports are that they are doing lots of screening and teaching, and that their students are willing and eager to learn. The children are in great need of surgical help.

Combined Federal Campaign is Kicking Off!
We have been invited to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign for New York City's annual fundraising appeal. This is something to be very excited about. We will attend our first exposure event on October 5, when we will be able to spread the word about Surgeons of Hope's life-altering, life-saving programs, and our plans for the new Pediatric Heart Center in Managua. We will post regular updates here.


THANKS TO ALL WE HAVE MET THE CHALLENGE!

Global Giving Challenge Update September 1, 2011
We are pleased to report that we far exceeded the minimum goals for the Global Giving challenge. Thanks to all who donated and made that success possible. Our medical teams donate their vacation time and talents. Additional donations provide supplies and equipment to a surgical mission and cover travel and shipping costs. The funds will go directly to supporting our program of healing, training, and building. Be part of our success! Use the secure "Donate" button on our website to support our surgical missions and help poor children to receive the heart surgery they need to lead normal lives.

Surgeons of Hope Forms New Foundation in Nicaragua June 29, 2011

SoH President, Eduardo da Cruz, MD, traveled to Managua, Nicaragua in May, along with other SoH Board members, to form La Fundacion de Cirujanos de la Esperanza de Nicaragua, dedicated to enhancing pediatric cardiac care in Nicaragua. Looking on is Engineer Salvador Montalvan, the new Foundation's Secretary, and a long-time friend of Surgeons of Hope. The new SoH Foundation will expand collaboration with surrounding areas as it joins in the work to oversee construciton of a new Pediatric Heart Center of Nicaragua. The groundbreaking for the new construction is scheduled in August.

Annual Board Meeting Elects New Directors June 28, 2011 Three new members of the Board of Directors were elected at the SoH annual board meeting in June. They are: Emile A. Bacha, MD, Head of Cardiac Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City; James Jaggers, MD, Head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at The Children's Hospital of Denver; and Christian Pizarro, MD, Head, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nemours Cardiac Center, A. I. Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE. At the same meeting, Eduardo da Cruz, MD, agreed to serve as President of Surgeons of Hope Foundation.