Loma Linda University Health’s Global Heart Collaborative (GHC), formerly known as the Loma Linda University Overseas Heart Surgery Team, completed its first heart camp at Blantyre Adventist Hospital in Malawi.
Across much of Africa, cardiac interventions remain scarce. Cardiovascular disease claims an estimated 1.3 million lives annually in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the shortage of trained cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons leaves countless patients without access to care. GHC’s work supports a growing movement to expand access to advanced heart surgery in regions where such treatment is rarely available.
The story of cardiac care in Malawi began years ago.
Tiffany Priester, MD (SM ’04), a deferred mission appointee who served in Malawi from 2011 to 2016, was the country’s only cardiologist during her tenure. She established an intensive care unit at Blantyre Adventist Hospital (BAH) and has continued returning each year to provide care.
Arega Fekadu, MD, completed his Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) residency at Malamulo Adventist Hospital. Drawn to cardiac surgery, he later completed a visiting fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. With few established heart surgery programs in Africa, he was invited to Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, where he now leads the cardiothoracic surgery program.
In 2021, medical student Charlene Wang encountered a 15-year-old patient with severe rheumatic heart disease during her rotation at Malamulo Adventist Hospital. With no surgeons in Malawi able to perform the needed operation, the only hope was treatment abroad—but the cost was insurmountable. Charlene raised the funds needed with the help of her uncle, Nan Wang, MD (SM ’83), a cardiothoracic surgeon who previously served with the LLU Overseas Heart Surgery Team. Together, they made the young patient’s treatment in Kenya—and surgery by Dr. Fekadu—possible.
Inspired by stories like these, Dr. Priester, Dr. Fekadu, and partners began shaping a long-term plan to establish sustained cardiac services for Malawi and the surrounding region. Their vision includes developing a Malawi-based heart team and eventually building a dedicated heart center at BAH. The hospital is part of LLUH’s Global Campus–Malawi and a member of the Adventist Health International (AHI) network.
Medical missions are in our collective DNA at Loma Linda,” says Jason Blanchard, MBA, leader of the Global Heart Collaborative team. “The GHC is part of that legacy of bringing hope and health to those in need around the world.”
With that foundation, Loma Linda University Health sent its first GHC team to Blantyre from November 2–14 to hold a heart camp. The team included 18 employees, representing nursing, cardiothoracic surgery, anesthesia, perfusion, emergency medicine, and administration.
Since November 2023, five heart camps have taken place, collectively delivering more than 100 advanced cardiac procedures. This most recent trip was supported by careful preparation of supplies and medications, along with pre-surgical screenings to identify patients ready for intervention.
For patients and their families, the heart camp is more than a medical program—it is a quiet doorway back to possibility. Every repaired valve and restored rhythm carries a story of futures reopened.
“Thank you very much. I was very frightened, but God showed His love for me by guiding me to these helpful doctors. It was scary, yet unbelievable that a heart operation was possible for me. Now I have hope that I’ll be able to do my job again like everyone else.”
— Hope Nazombe
During the November heart camp, the team completed 14 open-heart surgeries and 12 pacemaker implants, a testament to the power of compassionate, skilled care delivered with heart.