A Life-Changing Mission to Honduras: Expanding Access to Cardiac Surgery
Last week, Dr. Steve Bott, a cardiac anesthesiologist with the University of Utah, returned from a transformative medical mission to Honduras. Partnering with a multidisciplinary team of University of Utah healthcare professionals, including a cardiac surgeon, perfusionists, nurses, and a surgical technician, the group set out to address a critical healthcare gap in the region. Their goal: to demonstrate the feasibility of an independent cardiothoracic (CT) surgery program within Honduras's public healthcare system—a nation where the majority of its 10 million citizens lack access to this life-saving specialty.
The mission took place at the Instituto Nacional Cardiopulmonar (INCP) in Tegucigalpa, where the team collaborated closely with local physicians, nurses, and allied health staff. Over five days, they performed open-heart surgery on ten patients, ranging in age from 19 to 49, all of whom were facing life-threatening cardiac conditions. The success of these surgeries underscored the potential for sustainable, high-quality cardiac care within Honduras’s public healthcare framework.
The mission was led by Dr. Craig Selzman, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah, and Dr. Miguel Alvarez, a former UU cardiology fellow and native Honduran now practicing in New York. With support from industry partners and private philanthropy, the mission not only provided immediate care but also served as a blueprint for a future independent CT surgery program in the region.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Bott shared, "This mission wasn’t just about the surgeries—it was about building a foundation for sustainable healthcare. By working side by side with the incredible team at INCP, we showed that a CT surgery program within the public healthcare system is not only possible but vital."
The team’s commitment to improving access to cardiac care doesn’t end here. Plans are already in motion for a return mission in May, continuing their efforts to empower local providers and create lasting change in Honduran healthcare.
