The Little Hearts Project (LHP) is a comprehensive pediatric cardiac project spearheaded by former FOB Surgical Team Coordinator, Lori Cordova, RN, BSN, Dr. Hisashi Nikaidoh, Dr. Thomas Zellers, and Dr. Hector Fonseca.  The Project was created in partnership with local Honduran hospitals and health care providers. 

 

FOB worked to establish the Project for more than a decade with the support of yearly screening teams as well as interventional and surgical teams and by training the first, formally trained, pediatric cardiovascular surgeon in Honduras, Dr. Victor Paz. 

 

In 2015, the first Honduran pediatric cardiac surgical ward was opened and staffed for year-round surgeries at Ruth Paz Hospital, being equipped through the generosity of a Rotary International Matching Grant.  Eventually, surgeries would be available to children not only at Ruth Paz Hospital in San Pedro Sula but also at Hospital Maria in Tegucigalpa as well.  Approximately 200 surgeries are now provided each year to children from throughout Honduras.

 

For four years, FOB remained a partner with Ruth Paz Hospital, providing support, as needed.  Today, FOB is evaluating where its vocational, financial, and supportive resources can best be utilized in the San Pedro Sula area towards furthering the dream of sustainable, pediatric interventional cardiac care. 

 

FOB continues to provide many children who have cardiac needs with case management services as well as pre-operative, post-operative, and follow-up care.