Adult Cardiac & Congenital Heart Surgery Mission to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

March 30-April 6, 2019

The International Missions Committee representing CardioStart is pleased to announce the mission to Clinica Corazones Unidos Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This mission will focus on ADULT patients.

Facts about the country

  • Capital: Santo Domingo
  • Dialing code: +849
  • Population: 10.3 million
  • Language: Spanish

The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western three-eighths of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands, along with Saint Martin, that are shared by two countries. Both by area and population, the Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation (after Cuba), with 48,445 square kilometers (18,705 sq mi) and an estimated 10 million people, one million of which live in the capital city, Santo Domingo.

Inhabitants in what is now the Dominican Republic have dwelled there since the 7th century. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1492, and it became the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, namely Santo Domingo, the country’s capital and Spain’s first capital in the New World. After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the country became independent in 1821. The Dominican Republic has the ninth largest economy in Latin America and the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region. Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. The country’s economic progress is exemplified by its advanced telecommunication system, and transportation infrastructure. Nevertheless, unemployment, government corruption, and inconsistent electric service remain major Dominican problems. The country also has “marked income inequality”. International migration affects the Dominican Republic greatly, as it receives and sends large flows of migrants. Haitian immigration and the integration of Dominicans of Haitian decent are major issues. A large Dominican diaspora exists, most of it in the United States. They aid national development as they send billions of dollars to their families.

As the first city founded in the Americas, the Dominican Republic’s capital city of Santo Domingo boasts an incredible collection of museums, historic sites, art and music. The Colonial City, located inside Santo Domingo, is the first city of the America’s; it features the first street, hospital, university and cathedral in the Americas. It is believed that the body of Christopher Columbus still resides on this island that he landed on hundreds of years ago.

MISSION DETAILS:

Despite an impressive role in tourism, the delivery of cardiac services remains constantly short of targets. CardioStart is invited to provide regular additional surgeries to those being accomplished in other local centers. CardioStart will be supported by Heart Care Dominica in their work at Clinica Corozones Unidos. CardioStart’s team will essentially be doing procedures, but in all cases, will also strong emphasize skills training and development for local cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and ICU doctors, nurses and allied professionals. Team volunteers will be expected to participate in teaching.

EXPECTATIONS:

Interested volunteers will be asked to fund their own airline ticket, required immunizations and one evening meal per day. Hotel and other meal costs will be covered. Team members will arrive on Saturday March 29 with the mission to begin Sunday, March 30 with patient review during the day and an orientation meeting in the evening. The mission will end on Saturday, May 6th (The team will be treated to a day at the beach on Saturday-bring your bathing suit) with flights out SUNDAY .

Volunteers may choose to stay longer to visit many of the interesting locations nearby at their own expense.

THE TEAM WILL INCLUDE:

  • CV Adult Surgeon 1 (filled)
  • CV Adult Anesthesiologist 1 (filled)
  • Adult Perfusionist 1 (NEED)
  • OR tech/ OR nurse 1 (filled)
  • ICU (Adult CV) nurses 2 (3 filled)
  • Adult Cardiologist 1 (filled)
  • Echo Tech 1 (filled)
  • Data manager research 1 (filled)

*Spanish speaking volunteers helpful

HOW TO APPLY TO JOIN THE TEAM: Please click here to apply to participate in the mission. You will be informed of your acceptance and documents needed to proceed. DO NOT purchase an airline tickets for the mission until told to do so. 

AFTER THE MISSION:

There are many historic museums and buildings that take a unique look into Dominican culture. Among them are the Alcázar de Colon (Fortress of Colon), the Reloj de Sol (the Sun Clock) and the Monasterio de los Padres Dominicos (the Monastery of the Dominican Fathers).

For those sun bunnies, the beach and its all-inclusive resorts are delightful and restful.

Warmest regards,

Mariano Brizzio, MD, CardioStart Board & Mission Director

Janine Henson, RN, BSN, CCRN, CardioStart International Vice-President

Janine.henson@cardiostart.org