Open Letter to OSF–Michael Cruz, MD/Sister Judith Ann--September 2015
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| Henri--September 6, 2015 (Photo by John Carroll) |
Dear Mike and Sister Judith Ann,
Henri Andrik is a 41-year-old Haitian man who was operated at OSF in Peoria in 1999. He had a Ross Procedure and has done well for many years here in Haiti.
Haitian Hearts has been following Henri for 16 years. I am in Haiti now and examined Henri two days ago for new-onset shortness of breath. His exam and echocardiogram show a leaky aortic valve and stenotic mitral valve. His left ventricle is working well and his pulmonary pressures are good. I have him on three medications at present.
I plead with both of you to remove the embargo OSF placed on Haitian Hearts patients over a decade ago. Please allow Henri to return to OSF in Peoria to be examined and operated again.
Henri is OSF’s patient. If you allow Henri to return, Haitian Hearts will renew Henri’s passport, obtain his visa, continue to provide his medication, fly him to and from the States, reintroduce him to his host family in Peoria, continue to provide follow up for Henri when he returns to Haiti, and pay OSF $10,000 for his care at OSF.
Please return to the wonderful OSF Sisters Mission Philosophy that denies care to no one. Including Haitians.
I will await your response.
Sincerely,
John
www.haitianhearts.org
Comments in 2015--
I never did hear back from Mike or Sister Judith Ann regarding Henri. OSF’s embargo against my Haitian patients continues.
I am still looking for a medical center to accept him for workup and surgery. It is very hard finding other medical centers who are willing to “clean up” for OSF. (Haitian Hearts has found other medical centers for other OSF patients, but it is difficult because other medical centers believe it is OSF’s responsibility…which it is.)
If anyone has good connections with an excellent cardiovascular center who would consider evaluating Henri, please let me know.
I communicate with Henri several times a week and I can guarantee you that Henri won’t give up. He knows that I am working hard to give him a fighting chance and he is hanging on.
Thank you.
john