Partnerships

The success of Heart Care International's life-saving heart missions is dependent not only on the talented team brought to the host country, but equally on the support and talent of the members of Heart Care International's foreign country partners, corporate sponsors and philanthropic partnerships.

Host Country Partners

HCI missions represent a new partnership between HCI's tertiary care organization, the indigenous medical community and host country local lay people, one that focuses both on immediate care as well as on education and training so that local physicians and other health care professionals may eventually be able to provide similar treatment long after HCI has left the country. 

Over the course of the past 15 years, Heart Care International is fortunate to have partnered with outstanding professionals at UNICAR Hospital in Guatemala, CEDIMAT Hospital and Bloom Hospital in El Salvador. But the relationship would not be complete without the critical input from local lay people, often times small local children's or heart care philanthropies, who help bring key governmental and business relationships to support the mission trip. Heart Care Dominicana (in the Dominican Republic) and Sana Mi Corazon (in El Salvador) have helped pave the way for expedited and effective mission trips in their respective countries.

Testimonials:

Dr. Jose Mauricio Velado, Cardiologist, (Bloom Hospital, El Salvador) comments that "Heart Care International has had significant impact for me...as it has given me the hope of life for many of the children under my care who, otherwise, would not have been able to survive.  Heart Care International also increases my knowledge everytime the team comes to my country.  The interactions with this group have made me a better physician.  HCI is a team of generous, unselfish people who give with love in their hearts."

Dr. Freddy Madera, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, (CEDIMAT Dominican Republic) says, "Heart Care International initiated the fire that today has evolved into the first pediatric cardiac center at CEDIMAT in the history of the Dominican Republic, providing cardiovascular care to the needy children of our country.  Seven years of friendship, advice, continued  medical education and untallied hours of passionate work by HCI members and our local staff, have resulted in what I would define in one word as HOPE.  Today, the Dominican children with congenital  heart disease are not destined to die due to lack of medical attention, but instead thanks to HCI, they have the hope for life."

HCI is especially grateful to our 2010 El Salvadorian partners for their continued commitment to improving the quality of pediatric cardiac health care in El Salvador. 

How are Country Partners Chosen?

Heart Care International seeks invitations from the medical community of ANY interested developing nation who shares the mutual goal of working hand-in-hand to build a long term partnership (a minimum of a 5 year commitment is required by both parties) between the indigenous medical community and the incoming Heart Care International team.  The goal of the partnership is to leave the host country with a stronger medical infrastructure to treat pediatric cardiac disease.   (see "How are Foreign Country Partners Chosen")

Corporate Sponsors

Since 1994, corporate sponsors for HCI's 25 mission trips are responsible for shipping over 30,000 pounds of medical supplies and equipment to HCI host countries for use before, during and after HCI trips.  Without these vital supplies, HCI would NOT have been able to conduct the life saving procedures on over 560 children. 

HCI is indebted to our 2010 corporate sponsors and grateful for their continued support:

2009/2010 Corporate Sponsors

Photos of our corporate sponsors at work on the May 2007 El Salvador Mission.

Philanthropic Partnerships
 

Beginning in 2003, Heart Care International began developing partnerships between non profit organizations to pool resources and leverage organizational synergies in order to deliver the most cost effective model for curing children with heart disease in foreign countries.  HCI is a proud partner with the following philanthropies:

• Rotary Clubs of America and Latin America
• 2nd Congregational Church, Greenwich, CT
• International Hospital for Children, VA

HCI works with these organizations, as well as others on fundraising, logistics, identification of critically sick children, hosting, and other vital functions.

HCI welcomes other philanthropies with similar goals to create partnerships for helping critically sick heart patients (children or young adults with congenital heart defects) from around the world who otherwise would not survive.  Please contact us at heartcarei@aol.com for more information.