In a show of global medical collaboration, the Children’s Minnesota cardiovascular team recently welcomed two doctors from Howrah, India as part of its partnership with Children’s HeartLink, a Twin Cities-based nonprofit dedicated to saving children’s lives by transforming pediatric heart care in underserved parts of the world.
Dr. Debasis Das, a heart surgeon, and Dr. Shubhadeep Das, an intensivist, from the Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (NSH) in Howrah visited in May to see first-hand what goes into providing high-quality, complex care that improve outcomes for children with heart anomalies. Dr. David Overman, chief of cardiovascular surgery, and other members of the Children’s Minnesota cardiology team shared their insights and practices.
“The hospital’s multidisciplinary teams collaborate closely, ensuring holistic and coordinated care tailored to each child’s specific needs,” shared Dr. Debasis, sr. consultant and clinical lead of cardiac surgery at NSH.
Witnessing how pediatric cardiac care is delivered in the U.S., provided Dr. Debasis with valuable insights on how support services can address the emotional and social needs of patients and their families. “Observing the Children’s Minnesota staff’s interactions with patients highlighted the critical role of empathy and compassion in healthcare, contributing to a supportive and healing environment.”
A sentiment Dr. Shubhadeep, intensivist at NSH, shared, “Witnessing the multidisciplinary teamwork emphasized the importance of collaborative care involving cardiac surgeons, intensivists, nurses, respiratory therapists and allied health professionals.”
“The trip to Children’s Minnesota was crucial as it provided firsthand exposure to advanced practices in congenital cardiac care, which is valuable for enhancing treatment protocols and care delivery at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.”
Through Children’s HeartLink partnerships training and mentoring is provided to support hospitals in low-resourced environments in building the capacity improving their heart care programs.
“Working in pediatric cardiac care in the United States differs from India, but both these teams share the same goal: providing the best possible care to children with congenital heart disease,” shared Jackie Boucher, president of Children’s HeartLink. “By observing the day-to-day of the Children’s Minnesota team, doctors from Narayana Superspeciality Hospital can see what is different and possible with an effective multi-disciplinary approach to care. This first-hand experience empowers them to apply relevant knowledge and learnings to improve care at their own hospital.”
The visit came after the Children’s Minnesota team traveled to Narayana Superspeciality Hospital to mentor and teach them advanced surgical skills and guide them on how to grow their pediatric cardiac sciences program.
“Traveling to and then hosting these talented doctors from India has been an enriching experience for all of us,” said Dr. Overman, who also serves as a medical director of the Children’s HeartLink Board of Directors. “By sharing our knowledge and expertise, we can collectively advance pediatric heart care and make an impact on the lives of children and families around the world.”
The visiting doctors also got a true taste of Minnesota – attending a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field with the Children’s Minnesota team.
Children’s Minnesota’s multiyear partnership with Children’s HeartLink aims to increase the number of children treated for congenital heart disease in underserved parts of the world, enhance the complexity of available surgeries and improve overall care quality.
“We are deeply grateful to our medical volunteers like Dr. David Overman and his colleagues at Children’s Minnesota. Their unwavering commitment to their peers, combined with their willingness to share knowledge, expertise and time is fostering sustainable change in parts of the world where there is a great need,” continued Jackie Boucher.
The Children’s Minnesota pediatric cardiac care team supports two hospitals in India including Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Kolkata and Narayana Superspecialty Hospital in Howrah.
