March 6, 2023
Empowering Peers in the Medical Community
Lee Koch, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Children’s HeartLink, writes reflections after her first international trip with the organization to a Children’s HeartLink Center of Excellence hospital in Malaysia.
The word empowerment comes to mind when I reflect on my very first trip with Children’s HeartLink. I participated in the continuation and growth of a Children’s HeartLink partnership, of a medical community per se, coming together to help save the lives of children with heart disease. A partnership and relationship that is funded by the generosity of so many people, whether with time, talents, expertise or donations.
In my role, as director of corporate and foundation relations, I work closely with groups like Medtronic Foundation, Boston Scientific and Edwards Lifesciences Foundation on funding Children’s HeartLink’s work, which expands access to health care, specifically heart care. I also seek new partnerships with corporations and foundations whose environmental, social and governance goals align with our work to decrease health disparities in low- and middle-income countries.
In November 2022, I traveled with Andreas Tsakistos, Country Director at Children’s HeartLink, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A country where Edwards Lifesciences Foundation has helped to fund some of our work. On our way to Children’s HeartLink Center of Excellence Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute) we met up with the medical volunteer team from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, England. This was going to be the first in-person training visit since before the pandemic.
Pictured: Lee and Andreas travel about 9,000 miles from Minneapolis, MN to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A medical community with one goal
Over the course of the six-day visit, I watched the work Children’s HeartLink is doing first-hand. I saw the interactions between the medical team from Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute) team. I was struck by the trust and respect that enabled a connection that resulted in training on a very deep level. There was no question that was too primary, no reflection or problem too rudimentary. These two medical teams, from very diverse cultures and environments, have formed a medical community based on trust and respect.
The two teams participated in lectures and worked together at the bedside to provide the best possible care for children born with heart disease in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. These professionals are empowering each other to grow and learn, and ultimately give children with heart disease the opportunity to live a full and rich life. All children deserve this.
The heart disease numbers only tell part of the story
Upon preparing for my trip with Children’s HeartLink, I knew the numbers. I knew 9 in 10 children born with congenital heart disease lack access to high quality heart care. I knew Children’s HeartLink had helped partner hospitals serve 120,000 children in 2022. But, what I didn’t realize is those numbers only tell part of the story. Scroll through to see what I learned.
A commitment to helping each other and the children in need of access to high quality heart care
In my time with Children’s HeartLink, I’ve seen the difference being made. I’ve heard my colleagues share virtual training successes, I’ve heard about the children’s lives impacted and I’ve heard about the impact we can have at our two new partner sites in Bangladesh and Brazil, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute and Recife: Real Hospital Português, respectively. I’ve even shared these successes with our funders.
When I traveled to Malaysia, I witnessed first-hand the difference Children’s HeartLink is making on the ground. I witnessed the connection that’s formed between medical volunteer teams and the medical staff at partner hospitals. I witnessed the medical community learning with and from each other. I witnessed the teams sharing vital, everyday life-saving information about how to care for children with heart disease. I witnessed the teams discuss care at the babies’ bedsides. I witnessed babies begin to flourish once more. I witnessed the commitment of these medical professionals to provide the highest quality of care for their patients. I witnessed long-term bonds being formed.
The conclusion of the training visit will not be the end of the partnership. These teams will call upon each other for guidance and support for many months and years ahead.
originally Published January 4, 2023
About Children’s HeartLink
Children’s HeartLink saves children’s lives by transforming pediatric heart care in underserved parts of the world. The global nonprofit organization (NGO), partners medical volunteers from top teaching and research institutions with doctors, nurses and health care professionals in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Malaysia and Vietnam to develop or improve pediatric cardiac care programs. Since 1969, the organization has reached more than 1.5 million children.
About Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute)
Institute Jantung Negara in the national capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is widely recognized as a regional leader in pediatric cardiac care. Founded in 1992, the hospital has treated over 4 million patients and gained recognition as one of the leading Cardiovascular and Thoracic Health Centre in the region. In 2016, the hospital earned the Children’s HeartLink Center of Excellence status.
