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walked in. Oswalt introduced connections needed to get things off
himself, mentioning he traveled from the ground. In 2000, HeartGift was
Texas. “I have a friend there,” says established. It’s mission: To provide
Ross. Turns out Oswalt had operated life-saving congenital heart defect surgery
on that friend. Before long, it was to children from around the world where
agreed that Dr. Ross would travel to specialized medical treatment is either scarce
Texas to teach the Ross Procedure or nonexistent.
to Texas physicians. In 1989, Dr. Medical mission groups were
Oswalt performed the first Ross alerted so children identified with
Procedure in Texas. Since then, he heart problems could be considered
has traveled the country teaching for HeartGift. Guidelines for
the procedure and is internationally consideration are that the child be at
known for his expertise. least one year old, and that one
The years of being a leader in surgery will fix the problem. To
cardiothoracic surgery and working contain costs, local families host the To donate visit heartgift.org
within our medical community to patient during his/her surgery stay.
bring procedures to Austin meant The organization is run by a small
Oswalt was frequently consulted team of full-time administrators and approximately $25,000 for each
when help was needed. Fast a board of directors. Because of the surgery. The other chapters partner
forward to 1999, when a economical way the organization with their local children’s hospitals.
colleague on a mission trip operates, overhead is only 15%, To date, the organization has served
in Kosovo discovers six which means 85% of more than 700 children from
children with congenital the funding raised 35 countries.
heart defects. “He calls and for HeartGift is So exactly where does the
asks me if he can get these used for funding come from? Funding for
kids to Austin—will CTVS the patients and HeartGift comes from numerous
do the surgeries for free?” their treatment. sources including grants, donations,
says Oswalt. Donations were Twenty-three years and various events throughout the
received and the surgeries have passed since its year. For example, these annual
were done, the children sent beginning and events—“HeartGift Heroes” golf
home to live healthy lives. “It HeartGift is now tournament, “Heartfelt Shot”
got me thinking and really able to host its sporting clay shooting tournament,
raised my awareness about own medical and HeartGift’s “Party with a
the number of children missions and even Purpose” gala, all help fund the
out there without a chance helped sponsor organization. Another key donation
of medical help. Did you the building of source is the annual children’s charity
know that 1 in 100 children a pediatric heart event “Mack, Jack & McConaughey”
worldwide is born with center in Kenya. founded by Mack Brown, Jack
congenital heart defects? In addition, Ingram, and Matthew McConaughey.
Over 90% of those HeartGift Mack and Sally Brown selected
children do not chapters in San HeartGift as one of the charities
have access to the care Antonio, New to benefit from this high profile
they need.” With these Orleans, and happening.
statistics top of mind, Houston “This is going to be a great year;
Oswalt approached his now exist. I think we may be able to serve 400
hunting and fishing Here in children in 2023 alone!” says
buddy, Ray Wilkerson Austin, HeartGift Dr. Oswalt grinning. And though
about starting an partners with one can appreciate the serendipitous
organization that could Dell Children’s occurrences in his life, it is plain to
help. “I’m in,” said Ray Medical Center, see there is more to it than that.
without hesitation. reimbursing them Dr. John “Chip” Oswalt is a brilliant
Wilkerson is a local heart surgeon with a really, really
developer with the big heart.
Patient Ariun traveled from Mongolia for his heart surgery.
TCMS 2023 March • April 15
