Less than two weeks after undergoing open-heart surgery at Mercy Children’s Hospital (MCH), Osuda Abdulla, a 9-year-old girl from Afghanistan, was up and playing with the five other children who came with her to the United States for medical care.

Osuda’s pediatric cardiac surgery was the first at MCH since an agreement was finalized recently with the University of Michigan (UOM) Motts Children’s Hospital to provide support in pediatric cardiothoracic cases.

“I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time,” says Samuel Durham, M.D., chief of cardiothoracic surgery and associate professor of surgery at the Medical College of Ohio. “I’m excited about it.”

Osuda, whose heart had begun to fail, was brought to MCH with the help of International Services of Hope/Impact with God Crusades, Inc. (ISOH/IMPACT) based in Waterville, so she could receive proper treatment.

Dr. Durham repaired a hole in the wall that separates the lower two pumping chambers of Osuda’s heart. He also repaired her leaking aortic valve.

“She should have more energy, and her quality of life should improve dramatically,” says Dr. Durham.

Stan Greene, chief logistics officer for ISOH, says Osuda “is doing excellent.” However, she and the other children, who are having orthopedic work done, won’t return to Afghanistan until at least this spring because of the weather and uncertainty in that part of the world. Even then, Osuda’s return may be to Tajikistan, because that is where her parents are after fleeing from the Taliban.

Will Suarez, M.D., chief of pediatric cardiology and assistant professor of pediatrics at MCO, says with the new UOM affiliation, MCH could perform 10 to 15 pediatric-cardiac surgeries a year.

“Like any new program, first you crawl, then you walk and then you walk faster,” says Dr. Suarez.

Edward Bove, M.D., chief of cardiothoracic surgery at UOM, will assist Dr. Durham during pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries. Dr. Bove is considered one of the top pediatric-cardiac surgeons in the country and is well-known around the world.

“Dr. Durham’s skill and enthusiasm combined with Dr. Bove’s experience and guidance give us the opportunity to provide a great service to the children of northwest Ohio,” says Dr. Suarez.

MCH is now the only hospital in northwest Ohio that performs pediatric cardiothoracic cases. That includes offering new life to children like Osuda.