For two weeks in May, two members of the Ocala Heart Institute – which partners with Martin Memorial to provide open-heart surgery at the Frances Langford Heart Center – will be taking their life-saving skills to India.
Dr. Michael Crouch, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dale Ruby, who operates the heart-lung bypass machine at the heart center, will be part of a team providing heart surgery for patients who might not otherwise have access to the proper care.
During their trip, Dale and Dr. Crouch will periodically post blogs discussing their adventures.
May 11, 2009
Greetings from India!
I have been in India for five days now. I first arrived in Bombay (now called Mumbai) Thursday night. We stayed in Bombay for two nights and then took a train 12 hours to Miraj, where I am now.
Today was our first day of surgery. Dr. Crouch and I operated on a 55-year-old man who had severe coronary artery disease. He was diagnosed in January but had been refused treatment due to lack of money. We did a triple coronary artery bypass for him and he did great.
We donated our time and brought the supplies we needed to do this operation for him at no charge. It was very rewarding to walk into the waiting area with Dr. Crouch and smile to his family to let them know he was doing well.
The hospital staff is very friendly and is very grateful toward us. We have anther bypass procedure scheduled for Tuesday on a young mother who has been in the hospital for almost a week now. Dr. Crouch and I feel very fortunate to be here sharing our medical skills and love for God here in India.
Regards,
Dale!
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