Ruth Ngwaro, an advocate for patients with heart disease, receiving a certificate from the Noncommunicable Disease Alliance of Kenya Born with a congenital heart defect, Ruth Ngwaro, now 31, has had four open heart surgeries since the age of 3. Her most recent operation was on World Heart Day (September 29), 2020. At the age … Continued
One of the first cardiac nurses in Minnesota, Karen Stombaugh began her career in the late 1960s. She remembers her first job in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as “very nerve-wracking.” Among her patients were adults who underwent open heart surgeries that had become broadly successful only a few years prior. Karen made an impact in … Continued
We’re delighted to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors: Anu Codaty, Jeffrey Gleason and Darren Nauss, along with Nick Seddon, new to our International Advisory Board. Anu Codaty is General Manager of International Pain Therapies Business and Vice President, Business Development and Strategy for All Neuromodulation Strategies at Medtronic. Anu is a … Continued
Thank you to the 53 partner site physicians and 22 medical volunteer physicians who participated in our online survey in June and July 2020. The survey was taken to assess partner and volunteer current use, needs and preferences for remote technology for training purposes. Respondents were selected based on their knowledge of Children’s HeartLink and … Continued
The 2020 Children’s HeartLink Founders Award goes to Sandra Staveski PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). She will be honored at our virtual gala on October 23rd. Dr. Staveski has been a Children’s HeartLink medical volunteer for over 15 years. This annual award was established in 2019 in honor of … Continued
The Medtronic Foundation is supporting the development of the Children’s HeartLink remote training plan through its Virtual Global Innovation Fellows Program. The six-person team from Medtronic is comprised of senior managers skilled in quality improvement, global training and education, global leadership development, clinical research, and engineering. In consultation with Children’s HeartLink staff, partners, volunteers and stakeholders, they … Continued
Today, we call on governments, donors and medical professionals to assure the pandemic response does not have a negative effect on families and children with heart disease, and to prioritize the investment in robust, responsive health systems that can serve their needs. Children with heart disease and their families, especially the poorest among us, are … Continued
Bistra Zheleva, Vice President of Global Strategy and Advocacy at Children’s HeartLink, was featured on the podcast “Heart to Heart with Anna,” a program devoted to the congenital heart defect (CHD) community. Bistra leads our advocacy strategy for children with CHD in low-resource countries and our global thought leadership strategy with governments and international development institutions. … Continued
Thanvika, 6 months after heart surgery. January 2020. Photos by Scott Streble When Thanvika was born last summer, her parents had no idea that she had a heart defect. It was discovered a day after her birth when she had trouble breathing. Luckily, she was referred to our partner hospital in Coimbatore, where she … Continued
Photo by Scott Streble Children’s HeartLink stepped up remote engagement and training to ensure that our global partners get the support they need during this challenging time. They are determined to continue making progress and to improve the care they provide their young heart patients. Thanks to your support, in the last 6 months: … Continued
