Humanism in medicineHeartbeat International: Making “poor” hearts beat better
Introduction
On December 26, 2008, Dr. Henry D. McIntosh, M.D., M.A.C.C., passed away in Lakeland Florida after a long illness (Figure 1). A distinguished and much beloved physician and administrator, Dr. McIntosh served on numerous cardiology committees and boards, including the presidency of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 1974–75.1 His professorial positions included Duke University School of Medicine (1962–70), University of Florida School of Medicine (1977–2000), University of South Florida School of Medicine (1993–98), and in particular professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (1970–77). A humble man and forever a humanitarian and champion of the poor, Dr. McIntosh is best known internationally as founder of Heartbeat International, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, which through its strategic alliances with Rotary International and other civic organizations, pacemaker manufacturers, and an army of medical and nonmedical volunteers is responsible for providing and implanting cardiac implantable electronic devices in indigent and needy patients in 24 countries over four continents. His creed, “The service we give to our fellow man is the rent we pay for the right to live” is a testimony to his lifetime service in helping the poor. Despite Dr. McIntosh's pioneering endeavors, little is known of Heartbeat International's important humanitarian work. This manuscript aims to help fill that void and provide ongoing support for an organization whose sole goal is to help save the lives of those who, because of financial constraints, cannot afford the cost of an implantable cardiac electronic device.
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History
The genesis of Heartbeat International occurred over 30 years ago in Guatemala, Central America, when a local physician, Dr. Federico Alfaro, was referred a profoundly symptomatic 19-year-old with complete heart block. The family was unable to afford the cost of a potentially “curative” pacemaker. Dr. Alfaro tried unsuccessfully to obtain financial assistance, but in the end all he could do was watch the boy die. He vowed that in the future his countrymen would not die because they could not
Future endeavors
There can be only one objective for Heartbeat International: to save and improve the quality of life of those who cannot afford to do so themselves, thus making “poor” hearts beat better. Although remarkable, the saving of 9000 lives is but the tip of an iceberg in regard to the numbers of indigent patients actually requiring implantable devices. A conservative estimate of need may exceed one million per annum worldwide. The program is dependent on the continued generosity of the pacemaker
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The refurbished pulse generator
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