For 20 years, Dr. Jeffery Jacobs has dedicated his time to helping children in Jamaica with heart issues. He’s the co-founder and president of Cardiac Kids of Florida and has led 16 missions to repair young hearts across the island. Recently, the Cardiac Kids Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary at Bustamante Hospital for Children, focusing on “Building a Legacy: 20 Years of Partnership, Progress, and Heart.”
These missions, in partnership with Chain of Hope Jamaica and Bustamante Hospital, have already helped over 160 children. At the event, Diane Edwards, chair of Chain of Hope Jamaica, recognized those who helped start the cardiac program. Attendees included representatives from renowned institutions like Johns Hopkins University and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
One notable supporter, Daniel Newlin, a U.S. ambassador and attorney, has been a principal donor for this initiative. The day also featured a paint-and-sip activity with past surgery recipients, allowing doctors and kids to reconnect. Dr. Jacobs expressed deep emotions seeing young adults he operated on as children now thriving in college and starting families.
From February 9 to 13, Dr. Jacobs and a team of more than 60 volunteers worked at Bustamante Hospital, performing 13 surgeries on children with critical heart conditions. He emphasized, “These children will have fixed hearts and should be home happy and healthy in a week.”
Among the volunteers was Dr. Vinay Badhwar, who focuses on complex heart valve surgeries. He highlighted the mission’s aim of providing children opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. Reflecting on a past patient, Daniel Faskin, who is now a certified chef, he noted the impact of their work.
Collaboration with local doctors and nurses is crucial. Dr. Jacobs proudly stated, “The Bustamante program is now the largest self-sustaining pediatric heart program in the Caribbean.” Many local medical professionals were in training when they first started two decades ago.
In the past, surgeries were conducted at Kingston Public Hospital, but since 2019, they have been performed at the advanced Pediatric Cardiac Centre at Bustamante Hospital. This transition marks significant progress in healthcare infrastructure and training in Jamaica.
Dr. Badhwar remarked on the expertise now present in Jamaica, stating, “When we come here, we see the fruits of years of labor and enjoy watching excellence being delivered.”
Partnerships like these not only save lives but also foster growth in local medical capabilities. It’s a beautiful cycle where both the local community and international teams learn from each other, ultimately improving healthcare for future generations.
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