Volunteer team to carry out open heart surgeries at GMH

GUAM—A volunteer team of doctors, nurses and technicians will perform heart surgery for up to 10 patients next week as part of one of the largest philanthropic efforts in Guam’s health care history.

A contingent of 20 healthcare professionals and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical equipment to be donated to Guam Memorial Hospital will arrive this weekend, with patient diagnostics and surgeries to occur next week.

The effort, sponsored by Valley Heart Surgeons and the Medical Relief Foundation of Modesto, California, now joins Guam with Russia and Nicaragua where the team has previously rendered similar assistance.

Patients identified as most in need of the surgery will incur no cost for services rendered, and since all expenses are borne by the volunteer groups, there is no significant cost to GMH.

Dr. Noel Concepcion, a native son of Guam and cardiovascular surgeon, has led the effort to bring the project to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority. Planning with the Offices of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Sen. Mike Cruz and GMH began in November, 2004, with medical teams and supply personnel in Modesto and on Guam communicating weekly make all the clinical and technological preparations necessary for the project.

Guam Gov. Felix Camacho toured the facilities where patients will receive the cardiovascular healthcare services yesterday.

“This is a significant contribution to our people, and GMH has worked diligently to fully prepare for patient care. These surgeons and other professionals ask for no pay, donate their vacation time, and have coordinated the gifting of much needed medical equipment to our hospital. Further, they will provide invaluable training to our outstanding GMH team that can be used to care for heart patients in the future,” he said.

GMH acting administrator PeterJohn Camacho commended the local doctors and nurses, GMH medical/technical and administrative staff, and local companies who have met weekly to convert the GMH emergency room annex into a cardiovascular surgery care unit.

“The energy has been high since the moment GMH realized this would become a reality, and all departments have provided high powered teamwork. We very much look forward to working with Valley Heart Surgeons and the Medical Relief Foundation to learn all we can to take advantage of this unique opportunity,” PeterJohn Camacho said.

For further information, contact GMH assistant administrator of professional services Zennia Pecina at (671) 647-2330.