A team with heart: Afghan refugee undergoes life-saving surgery

In October 2021, John Kupferschmid, MD, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, received a phone call from a representative with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A 10-year-old girl from Afghanistan had a congenital heart condition and she needed surgery to survive. The voice at the end of the line was hopeful Dr. Kupferschmid and the Methodist Children’s Heart Institute team could step in to repair the child’s heart.

The child, whose name we are protecting for her family’s privacy, required surgical intervention to repair a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot. In America, this defect is repaired before children are six months old. However, due to lack of access to advanced medical treatment, congenital heart defects often go without repair in children who live in other countries.

“Most children with this defect do not make it to adulthood,” Dr. Kupferschmid said. “The simple task of walking to the bathroom was almost impossible for her prior to this surgery.”

Without hesitation, Dr. Kupferschmid agreed to perform the life-saving surgery, which required the family to relocate to San Antonio. The child recovered in the pediatric intensive care unit for a few weeks where staff had the opportunity to get to know her. Her care team quickly learned although shy and quiet, she has the most beautiful smile. That smile was apparent when she had the opportunity to interact with Bambi, the hospital’s therapy horse. Though she may require a valve later in life, Dr. Kupferschmid expects she will make a full recovery. He was thrilled to hear she is planning to enroll in elementary school for the first time.

Methodist Healthcare's mission is serving humanity to honor God by providing exceptional and cost-effective health care accessible to all. This case is another example of the impact our care leaves on others near and far.