China's Wenrui - Recipient of Heart Gift Surgery

Philippines' Romo - Heart Surgery Recipient By HeartGift

On Tuesday evening, July 20, The Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Group gathered for an “After 5″ Mixer to mingle and hear about one of the most amazing groups doing life-saving work for children from countries around the world – HeartGift Foundation.

President, Melinda Rodriguez welcomed representatives from the HeartGift Foundation, Dr. Thomas Mayes and executive director, Cathy Siegel who highlighted the organization and their work.  The organization started in Austin and is expanding to many other cities throughout Texas while serving children from around the world in need of lifesaving heart surgeries.

We were also graced with adorable 2 year old Boloron from Mongolia who will receive his heart operation on Friday morning, July 23 at 7:30am!

Melinda Rodriguez was also joined by City of San Antonio’s Department of International Affairs Executive Director, Beth Costello to highlight what they learned from the city delegation’s recent trip to Asia and Shanghai World EXPO!  We also saw photos from the delegation’s trip.

Special thanks to Ana Quevedo of Nationwide Insurance for sponsoring our event and for providing us an overview of how Nationwide supports various local community-based charities.

We look forward to visiting Formosa Garden again and thank them for their warm hospitality, gracious staff and delicious food!

We will continue to pursue excellence in leadership by featuring leading executives and professionals from a range of industries to expand our awareness and connect us to what is not only happening here locally in San Antonio but how their leadership is positively impacting our world beyond our borders and reflecting positively on our world class city!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND SPEAKERS!

New AAACC Member!

HeartGift Foundation Chair, Dr. Thomas Mayes

Each year, the HeartGift Foundation brings children from around the world to Texas for free surgery to correct life-threatening heart defects. They come to Texas for these operations because their home countries lack adequate health care. They leave Texas with repaired hearts – and a new sense of hope for the future.

Pediatric heart surgeons Dr. John Calhoon and Dr. Adil Husain perform HeartGift surgeries at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital in San Antonio in conjunction with a team of medical professionals from the San Antonio area. All medical services are donated free of charge.

In 2006, Dr. John D. “Chip” Oswalt approached his good friend and colleague Dr. John Calhoon about the possibility of forming a HeartGift Chapter in San Antonio, thus enabling HeartGift to extend its’ reach to more children with heart defects.