David Overman, M.D.
Children’s Minnesota
Volunteer since 2000

“I was raised by parents who instilled in us the value of giving back. To me, it’s more about awareness and partnership with those who are not as fortunate as we are. The ability to share this knowledge base and skill set where those services aren’t nearly as available is a great privilege. And it’s not a one-way street. We learn from [partner hospitals] too.”

Mark Lewin, M.D.
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Volunteer since 2007

“I want to feel I’ve made an individual impact on single patients but also a larger, lasting impact on the entire institution. [Children’s HeartLink’s] objective, one that I deeply believe in, and I think resonates with other volunteers and donors, is that we seek to identify and understand opportunities for improvement — whether clinical, educational or administrative. We then embark upon strategic planning with the cardiac team, the hospital and sometimes, the city and the state. And then we try to attack these issues from different angles so that we leave the team and program with a meaningful and sustainable solution.”

Joseph Dearani M.D.
Mayo Clinic
Volunteer since 1996

“This work is exceedingly fulfilling. It’s a win-win for the patients and families who need the care, for the medical practitioners who provide it and for the hospital environment they work in.”

Grace Arteaga, M.D.
Mayo Clinic
Volunteer since 2011

“You influence one person, and that person can influence two people, and those two people are going to take the message further, and as long as the effort and the mission and the vision are the same, miracles happen.”

Peter Hesslein, M.D.

Seattle Children’s Hospital
Volunteer since 1996

“It’s particularly gratifying to treat children, knowing they will then have a full life ahead of them. In the United States, we have the ability, facilities and access to do this. Overseas, children with correctable defects may not have that chance. An organization like Children’s HeartLink, working so hard to provide such opportunities for children, is quite meaningful to me.”

Fiona Reynolds, M.D.
Volunteer since 2007

“I’d like to see a world where no doctor feels cut off from the learning community. This is something Children’s HeartLink does absolutely well. Volunteering my time and expertise is as much about equity as it is my personal call to do the right thing. I enjoy it. I’ve got time. And I believe we can build a more secure world if we look after the most vulnerable and help each other.”

Dr. Shunji Sano
Pediatric Surgeon

Professor Sano is a world-renowned surgeon who pioneered the Sano procedure used throughout the world to treat children born with a single ventricle, one of the most complex congenital heart defects.

A congenital heart disease (CHD) expert, Dr. Sano significantly contributed to the success of VNCH’s pediatric cardiovascular system—especially CHD surgery. He’s taught VNCH surgeons vital skills, improving their knowledge and expertise in CHD pathology and surgical operations.

Dr. Mark W. Cocalis
Pediatric Cardiologist

Dr. Cocalis’ sympathetic teaching helped the VNCH team improve their understanding and approach to treating congenital heart disease. He provided extensive training on echocardiography training, treatment approaches and follow-up regiments for patients.

Dr. Sarah Tabutt
Pediatric Cardiologist

Dr. Tabutt has been instrumental in developing procedures for ICU personnel in Vietnam. Her essential instruction on comprehensive rounds and post-operative care helped the VNCH team more efficiently handle concerns in the ICU, ultimately helping them lower infection and mortality rates.

Dr. Hung Nguyen
Anesthesiologist

Dr. Nguyen passion for and expertise in pediatric cardiovascular anesthesia has revolutionized the VNCH Heart Center’s cardiovascular anesthetic practice. He shared best practices, experience and a thorough understanding of controlling changes in the disease control process for patients undergoing surgery.

Helen Busch
Nurse

Nurse Busch, along with Dr. Sarah Tabutt, has vitally contributed to the standardization and enhancement of cardiovascular nursing training, particularly in postoperative care. Her meticulousness, carefulness and sharpness have dramatically helped the NVCH team improve the quality of nursing care—contributing to the program’s success.