Duke University Hospital Announces Fund to Honor Jesica Santillan
Perpetual fund will aid Latino pediatric patients and families in honor of patient whose accidental death attracted national attention
DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University Hospital announced today that it is establishing a $4 million perpetual fund that will honor the memory of Jesica Santillan by providing additional support services for Latino pediatric patients and their families receiving treatment at Duke. The announcement was made by Ralph Snyderman, M.D., president and CEO of Duke University Health System, and William J. Fulkerson, M.D., CEO of Duke University Hospital.
Jesica, a 17-year-old native of Mexico, died in February 2003 after undergoing two heart-lung transplant operations at Duke Hospital. Her case attracted national attention because she received incompatible organs in her first transplant as a result of procedural errors.
"Jesica's sad outcome profoundly affected all of us at Duke, particularly her caregivers in children's services and on the pediatric intensive care unit," said Snyderman. "One of the ways we intend to honor her memory forever is to improve the organ transplantation process, not just at Duke Hospital but nationwide, and to be a leader in improving patient safety. Importantly, we also wanted to honor this brave young woman by creating a perpetual fund at Duke Hospital that would help Latino patients deal with the many cultural issues they face."
"Hospitalization is a very difficult time for children and their families," said Fulkerson. "It is important that a broad range of services -- temporary housing, food, ministerial services, social services, interpreters, etc., is available for the families, especially those without economic means."
Snyderman said that he and Fulkerson are especially grateful to Duke President Nannerl Keohane and members of the clergy who presented the idea to Jesica's mother. Keohane met with Ms. Santillan in April to determine an appropriate way to honor Jesica, and Ms. Santillan endorsed the creation of a program to help Latino pediatric patients and their families who might need extra support during times of medical duress.
Keohane said, "It is especially appropriate that Duke Hospital create a significant fund that will help keep Jesica's memory alive forever. When I met with Ms. Santillan, she was pleased that Duke would create this fund to help other Latino children who seek services at our hospital."
Snyderman and Fulkerson also discussed the proposed fund with leaders of the Latino community, who supported the concept. Mexican Consul Armando Ortiz-Rocha, who represents the Mexican government in North Carolina, said, "This is a wonderful idea because members of the Latino community face special cultural and language barriers. The Government of Mexico considers the creation of this fund as a major step in paying tribute to Jesica's memory."
Duke Hospital will launch the Jesica Santillan Fund by committing to donate $1 million over the next five years. As part of Duke's contribution, $50,000 per year in spendable dollars will be made available immediately to support needy Latino patients and their families. In addition, Duke Hospital will inaugurate a five-year fund-raising effort. When fully funded, the $4 million fund is expected to generate $200,000 per year.
An advisory committee to Fulkerson will be established to ensure that the funds are being used effectively. The committee will be comprised of representatives from the clergy, Latino community and Duke Children's Hospital staff.
Donations to the Duke Children's Jesica Fund should be sent to Box 2975, Durham, NC 27701.
DURHAM, N.C. -- El Hospital de la Universidad de Duke anuncioy que se estastableciendo un fondo monetario perpetuo de $4 Millones para honrar la memoria de Jesica Santillael cual proveerasistencia adicional econo£a a los pacientes pedia´icos latinos y sus familiares que reciban tratamientos en Duke. El anuncio fue hecho por Ralph Snyderman, M.D., Presidente y CEO del Sistema de Salud de la Universidad de Duke, y William J. Fulkerson, M.D., CEO del Hospital de Duke.
Jesica, la menor de 17 ande origen Mexicano, fallecida en febrero luego de una operacioe doble transplante de corazo pulmon el Hospital de Duke. Su caso atrajo atencioacional al haber recibido onos incompatibles durante el primer transplante debido a errores de procedimiento.
"Las consecuencias penosas de Jesica, nos afectaron profundamente a todos nosotros en Duke, especialmente a quienes la atendieron en el aa de ayuda para niny en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pedia´icos," manifesto"yderman. "Una de las maneras que intentamos honrar su recuerdo para siempre, es el perfeccionar el proceso de transplante de onos, no solamente desde el punto de vista del Hospital de Duke sino al nivel nacional, y adematomar el liderazgo en el cuidado y seguridad del paciente. Es importante tambie hacer honor a esta valiente jovencita creando un fondo monetario perpetuo en el Hospital de Duke que pueda proveer ayuda a pacientes latinos que afrontan muchos aspectos de orden cultural."
"La hospitalizacios un aspecto dif£l tanto para los nincomo para sus familiares" manifestolkerson. "Es importante que un amplio rango de ayuda- alojamiento temporal, alimentacioservicios religiosos, servicio social, interpretes, etc., esteisponible para los familiares, especialmente para aquellos sin recursos econo£os."
Snyderman dijo que el y Fulkerson estaespecialmente agradecidos ante la Presidenta de Duke Nannerl Keohane y los miembros del Clero que presentaron el proyecto ante la madre de Jesica. Keohane se reunio£n la Sra. Santillaen el mes de Abril a fin de encontrar una manera de honrar a Jessica y la Sra. Santillarespaldo creacioe un programa para ayudar a pacientes pedia´icos latinos y sus familiares que esteen necesidad de soporte adicional durante peros de internamiento meco del paciente.
Keohane dijo tambie "Es particularmente oportuno el que, el Hospital de Duke cree un fondo significativo que contribuya a mantener por siempre el recuerdo viviente de Jessica. Cuando me reun£on la Sra. Santilla ella estaba complacida en que Duke crease este fondo a fin de ayudar a otros ninlatinos que buscan ayuda en nuestro Hospital."
Adema Snyderman y Fulkerson, trataron sobre la propuesta del fondo, con lres de la comunidad Latina, los cuales apoyaron el concepto. El Sr. Armando Ortiz-Rocha, Col de Meco, quien representa al Gobierno Mexicano en Carolina del Norte, manifestor>"Esta es una idea maravillosa, porque los miembros de la comunidad Latina enfrentan barreras especiales tanto culturales como de lenguaje. El gobierno Mexicano considera un gran paso ante la creacioe esta fundaciol presentar este tributo a la memoria de Jessica."
El Hospital de Duke, emprenderal proyecto de la "Fundacioesica Santilla comprometieose a donar $1 milloe Does durante los proos 5 an Como parte de la contribucioe Duke, $50,000 does anuales serapara gastos varios y estaradisponibles de inmediato para ayudar a pacientes Latinos y sus familiares. Adema el Hospital de Duke iniciarana campane cinco anpara recaudar fondos. Una vez que todo este´otalmente consolidado, se espera que la fundacioe $4 millones de does, genere $200.000 does anuales.
Se estableceran Consejo Administrativo en conjuncio£on Fulkerson para asegurarse que los fondos sean utilizados efectivamente. "El Consejo Administrativo estaraormado por representantes del Clero, la Comunidad Latina y el Personal del Hospital de Ninde Duke."
Donaciones para la Fundacioessica del Hospital de Nindeberaser enviado a la siguiente direccioBox 2975, Durham, NC 27701.