26
HISPANIC CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE DALLAS
Hispanic Cardiovascular Institute – Dallas team ( FY22 ):
Front left to right : Carolina L . Luzon , MS , RD , LD , CNSC - Dietitian • Aldo Rafael , MD - Cardiac Surgery and Heart Transplantation Sharon Choi , MD - Cardiology Back left to right : Cesar Guerrero-Miranda , MD , FACC , FHFSA - Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Carlos E . Velasco , MD - Cardiology • Eitan Podgaetz , MD - Thoracic Surgery • Leonidas Tapias , MD - Thoracic Surgery • Alfredo Ruben Lopez , MD - Anesthesiology • Uriel Sandkovsky , MD - Infectious Disease • Javier “ Jay ” Vasquez , MD - Vascular Surgeon • Alfredo H . Jimenez , MD - Cardiology Not pictured : Leticia Ramirez , MSN - Thoracic Surgery .
The vision for the Hispanic Cardiovascular Institute at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas was established by a group of specialists on the hospital ’ s medical staff together with a team of advanced practice providers and cardiovascular nurses focused on meeting the needs of the Spanish-speaking community , specifically for heart and vascular care . From providing education in preventive care to providing healthcare resources and services for those who may have complex cardiovascular issues , the team strives to eliminate barriers and alleviate concerns .
The team members of the Hispanic Cardiovascular Institute understand the cultural dynamics of the Hispanic population , including the importance of incorporating language , family and religion in medicine . Driven by compassion and a commitment to caring , multidisciplinary team members assist patients and their family members through the cardiovascular care experience , from registration through in-hospital care to post-discharge care .
The institute ’ s team understands there may need to be allowances to discuss care in a family setting if the patient gives his or her permission . It may also be important to some patients to include the extended family in a longer-term care plan . For all Institute patients , having a strong family support system and sense of community helps the healing process .
PROVIDING INTERNATIONAL CARDIAC CARE
As part of the institute ’ s outreach efforts and unwavering commitment to serving the Hispanic population , physicians in the Hispanic Cardiovascular Institute volunteer to participate in a medical mission called Salvando Corazones , or Saving Hearts . Celebrating its 10th year , the medical mission has brought critical cardiovascular surgeries , both openheart and minimally invasive , to people in Peru . The mission also includes a mentorship program , which helps foster practical learning for Peruvian surgical residents to apply the techniques learned to build a brighter medical future for the people of Peru .
In fiscal year 2022 , Aldo Rafael , MD , a cardiac surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Dallas , was a recipient of the TSF Every Heartbeat Matters Award for his work with Salvando Corazones . The award from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation is designed to provide support for programs that educate , screen and / or treat underserved populations .
In an effort to expand heart failure treatment to Central and South America , cardiac surgery specialists from the Hispanic Cardiovascular Institute implanted the first HeartMate3 left ventricular assist device in Colombia . This milestone , involving a multidisciplinary team of professionals from Bogotá , Colombia and Dallas , Texas , brings an alternative , lifesaving option to patients with advanced heart failure who are not a candidate for transplantation .
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas | Hispanic Cardiovascular Institute