We Are An Expert Network Of Volunteers With One Mission: Accessible Cardiac Surgical Care For All

Our Organization

WORLD HEART CAREGIVERS is an international humanitarian, not-for-profit (NFP), non- Governmental Organization (NGO) that is focused on bringing medical care wherever needed, particularly in underserved areas and in particular cardiac care and its supporting services. The organization operates under the motto ‘No heart left behind’ and its activities are broadly guided by the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). It operates in collaboration with local Governments and/or Organizations and Academic Institutions to provide and develop locally sustainable cardiac care and supporting services that confirm to international standards. It’s activities include Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology, Teaching and Research.

While introducing complex treatment services the organization focuses simultaneously on prevention of cardiac disease and on the development of academic programs for teaching and research. The organization is made up of international medical and paramedical volunteers and it is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Funding for the activities of WORLD HEART CAREGIVERS is through charitable donations and from local Governments and Organizations. The organization has a corporate structure with a President and CEO, Vice President, Director, Chief Financial Officer and Project Managers and a Board of Directors. It also has a supporting advisory board. It uses approximately 2% of its financial resources for administrative purposes and 98% for its humanitarian activities. After a decade of operating around the world, WORLD HEART CAREGIVERS was incorporated as an NGO in Canada and is governed by the Canada -Not-for-profit Corporations Act.​ (Founders: RK Narine, A De Boeck)

OUR DEPARTMENTS AND TEAMS

Directors

Board of Directors

Kishan Narine BSc., MD, PhD, FETCS. (President)

Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Foothills Medical Center
Associate Professor
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary

Carmelina Riccio CCP (Treasurer and Secretary)

Formerly Finance Director, Projects and Technology-Royal Dutch Shell
Formerly Supervisor of Heavy Oils Project
Shell, Canada

Ronan Cockar BSc. (Director)

President and CEO, Charing Cross Capital Group
President and CEO, Cockar Motors Ltd.
Director, High Power Holdings Inc.
Director of Finance, South Pointe Toyota

Nirvani Umadat D.M.D., BSc. Dent , GPR, BSc. (Director)

Doctor of Dental Medicine
Citizen Astronaut (Project Possum), Daytona Florida.

Owner Ascent Dental Care
Co-founder BdIn.

Steve Menzies BSc, CPC (Vice President)

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists
Clinical Perfusionist
Clinical Lead Perfusion, Foothills Medical Center,
University of Calgary

Medical Operations

Medical Board

William Kent BA, MSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS

Cardiac Surgeon
Surgical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support
Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery
Clinical Ass. Professor
Foothills Medical Center
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary

Kishan Narine BSc., MD, PhD, FETCS.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Foothills Medical Center
Associate Professor
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary

Nicole Webb BSc.,MD

Consultant Anaesthesiologist
Cardiac Anaesthesia
Foothills Medical Center
University of Calgary

Ken Parhar BSc.,MD

Assistant Professor
Head of Cardiac Intensive Care
Foothills Medical Center
University of Calgary
Alberta, Canada

Bart Meyns MD, PhD, FECTS

Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon
Cardiac Transplantation
Ventricular Assist and Mechanical Circulatory Support
Division Head, Cardiac Surgery
University Hospitals Leuven
Professor
KU Leuven , Belgium (Catholic University Leuven)

Marc Gewillig MD, PhD.

Pediatric Cardiologist
Division Head, Pediatric Cardiology
University Hospitals Leuven
Professor
KU Leuven, Belgium (Catholic University Leuven)

Steffen Rex MD, PhD

Professor
Anesthesia for cardiothoracic and vascular surgery
Anesthesia for congenital cardiac surgery,
Anesthesia for transplant surgery
University Hospitals Leuven
KU Leuven, Belgium (Catholic University Leuven)

Dirk Vlasselars MD, PhD

Professor
Intensive Care Medicine
Head Cardiac Pediatric ICU
Director ECMO and Ventricular Assist Devices
University Hospitals Leuven
KU Leuven, Belgium.( catholic University Leuven)

Nursing Board

Kari France BSc(N)

Cardiac Intensive Care Nursing
Manager
Cardiovascular Intensive Care
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
Foothills Medical Center
University of Calgary

Samantha Hacquoil B.N.,B.Sc.

Cardiac Intensive Care Nursing
Foothills Medical Center
Graduate Student
University of Calgary

Sara K Smith BScN, RN CPN(C)

Perioperative Certified Nurse (Univ. of Alberta)
Canadian Perioperative Nurses Certification.
Alberta College of Nursing
CVOR Nursing
Foothills Medical center
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary
International Humanitarian Volunteer (International Children’s Heart Foundation, Gift of Life International)

Robin Edwards MRC (UofC),CCNP,BSc(N).

Perioperative Certified Nurse Nurse
Cardiovascular Operative Room Nursing
Foothills Medical Center
Libin Cardiovascular Institute

International Humanitarian Volunteer (Medicos En Accion)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Mark Harbora, BScN (Hons.), MN, NP

Nurse Practitioner, Intensive Care

Leisha Naphin BSc., BN, NP

Nurse Practitioner
Adult Cardiac Nursing

Perfusion Board

Dale Wist B.Sc (Kinesiology), CCP (USA), CPC (CAN)

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists
Clinical Perfusionist
Foothills Medical Center
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Kevin Dykes BSc., CCP (USA), CPC (CAN)

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists
Clinical Perfusionist
Foothills Medical Center
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Adrian Rewus

Clinical Engineer
Foothills Medical Center
Calgary, Alberta,
Canada

Steve Menzies BSc, CPC (Vice President)

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists
Clinical Perfusionist
Clinical Lead Perfusion, Foothills Medical Center,
University of Calgary

Respiratory Tech Board

Barb Persch RRT, CCAA

Respiratory Therapist, Anaesthesia
Certified Clinical Anesthesia Assistant
College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (CARTA)
Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
Foothills Medical Center
University of Calgary

Jodean Jahns RRT, CCAA

Certified Clinical Anaesthesia Assistant
Canadian Association of Respiratory Therapists
College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta (CARTA)
Foothills Medical center
Calgary, Alberta

Administration

General Manager

Richard Johnson MOA

Foothills Medical Center
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Trips Coordinator

Virginia Oviedo Martinez

Paralegal Assistant
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

International Coordinator

 Hanne David Bs, MS(Econ)

Business Process Analyst

Fluvius Flanders( Oil and Gas , Belgium)

Melle, Belgium

 

Melle , Belgium

 

Research Coordinator

Connor Maxey BSC.

BioStatician
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta,
Canada

Website Management and Host

Connor Maxey BSC.

BioStatician
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta,
Canada

 

Finance and Audit

Carmelina Riccio CCP,

Formerly Finance Director, Projects and Technology-Royal Dutch Shell
Formerly Supervisor of Heavy Oils Project
Shell, Canada

Fundraising

Max Brit B.Sc., CFP

Financial Planner
IIROC (Industry Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada

Carmelina Riccio CCP,

Formerly Finance Director, Projects and Technology-Royal Dutch Shell
Formerly Supervisor of Heavy Oils Project
Shell, Canada

Ronan Cockar

President and CEO, Charing Cross Capital Group
President and CEO, Cockar Motors Ltd.
Director, High Power Holdings Inc.
Director of Finance, South Pointe Toyota

Spokesperson

Steve Menzies BSc, CPC

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists
Clinical Perfusionist
Clinical Lead Perfusion, Foothills Medical Center,
University of Calgary

Ambassadors

Astrid De Boeck BSc. , MSc, MSc(Eng.). PhD. (Founding Member)

MD Candidate
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Realtor
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer Coordinator

Seema Ganesh BSc., BS(N).

Registered Nurse
St. Paul’s Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Coordinators

Projects Coordinators

Kari France BSc (N)

Cardiac Intensive Care Nursing
Manager
Cardiovascular Intensive Care
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
Foothills Medical Center
University of Calgary

Sara Smith (OPERATING ROOM)

Perioperative Certified Nurse (Univ. of Alberta)
Canadian Perioperative Nurses Certification.
Alberta College of Nursing
CVOR Nursing
Foothills Medical center
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary
International Humanitarian Volunteer (International Children’s Heart Foundation, Gift of Life International)

Johanna Barberena (PICU)

Intensive Care
Head, Pediatric Intensive Care
Hospital Dr. Alejandro Davila Bolanos
Managua, Nicaragua

Kishan Narine (Medical)

Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Foothills Medical Center
Associate Professor
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
University of Calgary

Leisha Naphin (PRE, POST OPERATIVE WARD CARE)

Nurse Practitioner
Adult Cardiac Nursing

Steve Menzies (PERFUSION)

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusionists
Clinical Perfusionist
Clinical Lead Perfusion, Foothills Medical Center,
University of Calgary

MISSION STATEMENT

We Are An Expert Network Of Volunteers With One Mission: Accessible Cardiac Surgical Care For All