Santo Domingo, DR
Pediatric Cardiac Surgical and Outreach Mission Report
Clinica Corazones Unidos & Moderna Hospital,
Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic
February 1st-6th, 2026
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 have dwelled in, (what is now the Dominican Republic), 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. Santo Domingo, the country’s capital was named by Spain. After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the country became independent in 1821. The country’s economic progress has been hampered by unemployment, and “marked income inequality”.
As the Dominican Republic emerges from the pandemic caused by Covid, Fundación Heart Care Dominicana, the local nationally known charity, invited CardioStart to help reduce the extended waiting list of heart cases needing correction among the poorest communities. The local team also wanted to develop relationships with the Moderna hospital which is seeking to develop cardiac surgery and eventually, full interventional cardiac procedures. One of three operations was accomplished at the at The Moderna Hospital while the other two were performed at the more familiar Clinica Corazones Unidos; both hospitals are in Santo Domingo. CardioStart’s team worked side-by-side with the local healthcare team at both hospitals, to provide care for the patients who would otherwise, not be able to afford care. The CardioStart team brought many essential mediations and a vascular conduit.
Two CardioStart volunteers, an Echocardiographer and Dental Hygienist visited an outreach clinic during the first week of the mission. Our Echocardiographer performed 30 transthoracic echo procedures to assist with general screening of children with suspected congenital heart disease.
Surgical Cases (all performed without fatality)
24 hours after aortic arch surgery
CardioStart’s Dental Hygienist also visited an outreach clinic during the mission, and provided children with dental exams, teeth cleaning, and several minor interventions. Access to dental care is beyond reach for many and dental hygiene is of critical importance for children in general, even more so for those with congenital heart disease. Certain types of congenital heart defects are at increased risk for developing endocarditis resulting from dental caries and oral infections; the consequences of which can be particularly perilous to a patient’s heart valves. A total of 16 patients, ranging from 2-10 years of age, were seen over 3 days majority also receive da fluoride treatment. All received a dental exam, cleaning, and education.
CardioStart volunteers also returned to the orphanage and training center in Santa Domingo to meet the directors and the children receiving educational support. They inspected some of the projects that CardioStart Board member, Mr. Michael Gelskey had initiated in 2025, and donated some toys and a lap-top computer to help the children learn appropriate interactive skills.
The Gala:
Fundación Heartcare Dominicana wished to honor recently retired Vice-President, Susana Messina Caro and her husband, Danilo, – in recognition of her work over more than two decades in nurturing the clinical assistance of children and adults drawn from the poorest communities in The Dominican Republic. They hosted an evening concert at Santo Domingo’s Cathedral Museum and Cloisters, welcoming benefactors, friends who have offered practical assistance to their charity locally and in the community, and CardioStart volunteers. This invitation was also to specifically thank the local benefactors and volunteers for their support in assisting the Fundación’s program development for children and adults with cardiac issues needing heart care, and its Outreach activities over the years. Ms. Judy Spearin (violinist) and Dr. Aubyn Marath (piano) performed an assortment of classical pieces for violin and piano.
CardioStart Team
Mission Director & Surgeon: Dr. Aubyn Marath
Mission Coordinator: Mr. Tyler Larch
CV ICU nurses: Mr. Tyler Larch; Mrs. Ivy Njoloma
Outreach:
Echo Technician: Mrs. Sarah Fleming
Dental Hygienist: Mrs. Judy Spearin
Acknowledgments:
CardioStart International wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to all donors and supporters of the charity.
A special thank you for assistance of this mission to:
Members of the CardioStart Cardiac Team who brought suitcases of medical equipment to donate to the mission
CardioStart Administration – general organization of mission
Fundación Heart Care Dominicana Inc., D.R. Coordination of clinical patients, hotel and internal transport
Americares Inc., – donation of medications
Marilyn Zeigler & Colleagues – donation of hearts to assist patient breathing and comfort).
Dr. Dan Woodward, Oregon Health Sciences University – donation of cardiac medications
Peace Health, Springfield, Oregon, – donation of medical equipment
Southtowne Rotary. Oregon, Logistical assistance with sorting and shipping and container preparations,
Shari Maguire & colleagues, CardioStart Thrift Store, Sisters, Oregon
Lauren Rudd & Colleagues, Texas – donation for medication purchases.
Locum Tenens-Inc., staff – donation of gifts for orphanage.
Dr. Stephen Langley, Texas. – donation of Gore-tex graft material
Mr. Steven Yett – provision of warehouse space, Springfield, Oregon, USA
Biotronix, Inc., Lake Oswego, Oregon – donation of pacing/defibrillator device.
Amy Lauth Foundation, Virginia – financial support towards logistical costs.
