In 2019, Dr. Mariano Brizzio, (Adult cardiac surgeon with CardioStart International) was invited to lead a mission to Legazpi, Philippines (Bicol Region) Bicol Medical Center to treat adults in need of heart care by the New Jersey Rotary District 7490/Gift of Life.Dr. Brizzio took on the challenge and built a team from Valley Hospital and Healthcare System, Ridgewood New Jersey.Additional team members were invited and vetted by CardioStart administration.
Roughly, only 10% of the Philippine population have insurance to have cardiac procedures.The few government supported hospitals that assist these patients have massive waiting lists and those patients must pay.This mission was focused on the neediest.Gift of Life has been bringing patients to Valley Hospital in NJ for the last 10 years but wanted to make a bigger impact at once to address the huge waiting list.They were able to do that successfully.
The mission was a combined program addressing both adult cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology.The catheterization lab was led by Dr. Tom Cocke.Twenty-one interventional cardiac procedures took place during the course of the two weeks. (11 PCI, 4 ASD closures, 3 PDA, 3 PCMV) Sixteen heart surgeries were performed by Dr. Brizzio and team.A grand total of 37 procedures in 9 days.All cases were successful during the mission however, the team was sad to learn one patient died of complications from blood thinners weeks later.
CardioStart professionals interacted side-by-side with Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital staff to transfer best practices over the course of the mission.Hours of teaching took place building a stronger program for patients who will come after this mission.A full complement of 16 health care professionals cared for these patients and were supported by 5 Rotary/Gift of Life volunteers who supported the team and through the two weeks.The team was entertained to a fun weekend in between the two weeks as a treat by the rotary seeing a bit of the countryside and enjoying each other outside of the hospital.The team was thankful for the break and a bit of rest.
Leave A Comment