The Power of Global Surgery: A Medical Student’s Experience At Save A Child’s Heart (SACH)

Abstract

This elective report provides an overview of the experience of a 1st year medical student completing a global pediatric cardiac surgery elective at Save A Childs Heart (SACH), an Israeli Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). SACH provides life saving cardiac surgery to children from developing countries who would otherwise not have access to care. Children are screened in their home countries, and brought to Israel for these complex surgical procedures. This elective is unique, as it exposes medical students to leading experts in cardiac surgery, cardiology, pediatric ICU, as well as international residents and international patients.

Keywords

• Cardiac surgery
• Global Health
• Pediatric surgery
• Cardiology
• Compassionate Care