We are proud to welcome Greg Holman as a new member of the Children’s HeartLink International Advisory Board.
Greg, a med-tech veteran with more than 20 years of experience, most recently as president of Stryker China, brings broad expertise on China, India, Malaysia and Vietnam, some of the countries where Children’s HeartLink partners with local hospitals to expand access to heart care for children with congenital heart disease.
Greg was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, a birth defect of the heart, at age two and had to wait two years for his body to grow enough to be ready for open heart surgery.
“[My parents] spent two years worrying if I could make it to that surgery and if that surgery would pull me through,” he said. “It did!”
Greg had access to quality heart care as a child that is not available to 90% of children with heart disease globally. He says he was lucky to have a doctor who happened to hear “something funny” through a stethoscope, and he was lucky his family was made aware of treatment options.
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Greg says his journey with congenital heart disease has inspired him to spend his career working to help people live longer and healthier lives. He is passionate about building awareness of the disease and ultimately helping people get the treatment they need, because every child deserves as much of a chance at a happy and healthy life as he had.
“I wish more people knew more about the disease, what can be done and how to get access to treatment,” he said. One in 100 children around the world is born with congenital heart disease. It is the most common birth defect in the world.
The Children’s HeartLink International Advisory Board is comprised of experts in global health and advocates for children’s health, and Children’s HeartLink and its partnerships benefit greatly from their advice and expertise.
“I’m thrilled to serve Children’s HeartLink,” Greg said. “Joining the International Advisory Board is a wonderful opportunity for me to proudly partner with a fantastic organization.”
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.