The Heartbeat International Mission of Making "Poor" Hearts Beat Better was birthed out of necessity. Upon completing his U.S. medical studies and returning to his native homeland, a young cardiologist named Federico Alfaro, MD, sadly watched a 17-year old patient die while in his care just because his family was too poor to afford him a pacemaker. That day, Dr. Alfaro would make a heart-wrenching vow that would impact the world.
In 1977, during his Presidency with the Guatemala de la Asuncion Rotary Club, Dr. Federico Alfaro established the first Pacemaker Bank. Local recipients deemed indigent and ill were loaned refurbished pacemakers and provided free implant surgery.
Upon learning of his student's humanitarian efforts and life-saving pacemaker program, Dr. Henry D. McIntosh, then Chief of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, envisioned a worldwide strategy similar to the one used for fast food chain McDonald's that would promote the program to being an international life-force.
Dr. McIntosh strongly believed pacemakers could be used as peacemakers and working from the Guatemala Pacemaker Bank model, sought to create international franchises of physicians, hospitals, and local Rotary Clubs united in the fight against heart disease. Intermedics joined the crusade, becoming the first pacemaker manufacturer to donate new, cardiac pacemakers and Rotary International provided a matching grant to purchase necessary wires (leads) for the donated pacemakers and to cover shipping costs, and in 1984, Heartbeat International was given life.
Dr. McIntosh joined the Watson Clinic's cardiology team in Lakeland, Florida, and was allowed to nurture the Mission under its wing when the Clinic agreed to carry Heartbeat International and its operations, providing its first home. Mandatory retirement would compel a new direction. Facing the crucial dilemma of finding a new home for his life-saving Mission, Dr. McIntosh equally struggled with his desire to continue practicing and contributing to the world of medicine and the study of cardiology.
Dr. Benedict S. Maniscalco, then Chief Architect and Director of St. Joseph Hospital Heart Institute in Tampa, Florida, learned of the plight of his former teacher and mentor and graciously brought him aboard his medical group and the Hospital's staff. St. Joseph's became the new home for Heartbeat International where the Mission of Making "Poor" Hearts Beat Better was revitalized.
Dr. Maniscalco wholeheartedly embraced the Mission and provided dedicated administrative support under the leadership of Wil Mick, then Administrative Director of St. Joseph's Heart Institute. It would be this dynamic duo who would rescue the Heartbeat International Mission and carry it into the future.
When the Mission was again threatened because of new financial guidelines at St. Joseph's, to save the program, Wil Mick formed a management company, Mick and Associates, which afforded housing of Heartbeat International's operations. Under this umbrella, Heartbeat International was officially registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, further strengthening the Mission and keeping the heartbeat going strong for many years.
Dr. McIntosh, a great humanitarian and leader, recognized the need to secure the program beyond his natural years. In 2003, he transferred leadership to his former student and colleague, Dr. Maniscalco, who willingly accepted the challenge of sustaining the future of Heartbeat International and its life-saving Mission. In his new appointment as Chairman and CEO, the Heartbeat International Board was reconfigured and augmented to support the new direction, and Wil Mick was named as President and COO of Heartbeat International.
Under new leadership, Heartbeat International and its operations was moved to 6800 N. Dale Mabry, Suite 124, in Tampa, Florida, solidifying its foundation and providing full support and staff for its life-saving Mission. A strategic plan was developed to transform and position the non-profit organization as a global charity to expand its reach and services in the ongoing fight against heart disease throughout the world.
Today, Heartbeat International has Pacemaker Bank locations all around the globe. Its foundation is built on the original design of Dr. Federico Alfaro and the first Pacemaker Bank sponsored by Club Rotario Guatemala de la Asuncion and continues to be guided by the philosophy of its founder, Dr. Henry D. McIntosh, who firmly believes Pacemakers as Peacemakers. A consortium of physicians, hospitals, pacemaker manufacturers and humanitarians, Heartbeat International's pacemaker program has helped patients in more than 30 countries. As the world's preeminent provider of free, brand new cardiac pacemakers to the indigent and ill in developing countries, Heartbeat International strives to maintain the highest ethical and legal standards, serving as a model for charitable organizations worldwide.