14 Jamaican children receive heart surgeries
Article By: Old Harbour News
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- Feb 28, 2025 10:41 AM | 14 Jamaican children receive heart surgeries , Health
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Dr. Sherard Little, Cardiac Surgeon (left) at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, and Professor Jeffrey Jacobs (right), Professor of Surgery and Paediatrics at the UF Health Congenital Heart Center and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, and former Cardiac Surgeon at Johns Hopkins University, perform life-saving open-heart surgery on one of the 14 patients during the cardiac mission at the Bustamante Hospital for Children from January 17 to 21, 2025.
A former Cardiac Surgeon at Johns Hopkins University, Professor Jacobs is also the founder and chairman of the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida, which spearheaded the initiative alongside a dedicated team of over 50 volunteers.
The life-saving surgeries were recently performed at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, in collaboration with Dr. Sherard Little, Cardiac Surgeon, and his highly skilled local cardiac and nursing teams at the hospital’s Paediatric Cardiac Centre. In just one week, the team successfully completed 14 open-heart surgeries, giving critically ill children a second chance at life.
The mission was further strengthened by the donation of essential medical equipment, including heater-cooler machines, heart-lung machines, and cell saver machines. These contributions, combined with the team’s expertise and hands-on training, have significantly enhanced the hospital’s ability to provide ongoing, high-quality cardiac care.
This life-changing initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the Bustamante Hospital for Children, The Blood Bank, the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida, and their supporting partners. Additionally, Chain of Hope Jamaica played a crucial role in coordinating logistics, ensuring a seamless and impactful mission to save young lives.
Professor Jacobs and his team’s unwavering commitment has not only transformed the futures of 14 children and their families but has also left a lasting legacy through knowledge-sharing, skill development, and resource enhancement within Jamaica’s healthcare system.
This initiative highlights the profound power of collaboration, compassion, and expertise in mending young hearts and changing lives for the better.
