Mending Hearts: Healing Beyond the OR in Jamaica
- Althea Tapales
- 6 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Written by: Althea Tapales
Medical Education, Fourth Year, Volunteerism
Volunteering as a medical student in Jamaica with the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida (CKFoF) under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey P. Jacobs, M.D., a congenital cardiac surgeon from the University of Florida, was unexpectedly transformative. What I gained far exceeded what I offered in time or service. Global health and global surgery have always been passions of mine — themes that have consistently shaped my medical journey and my purpose in becoming a physician.
Born and raised in Guam, in Micronesia, as a minority from an underserved island community, I grew up acutely aware of the privilege that comes with access to quality healthcare, especially specialized surgical care, and the devastating consequences when that access is absent. Health disparity was never an abstract concept to me; it was personal and too familiar.
Like many medical students, my journey was far from easy, and my path was not linear. During medical school, I unfortunately lost my dear father to cancer. I sought solace in volunteering, but eventually the emotional weight took its toll. Grief collided with clinical responsibility, and in a profession that demands excellence at all times, carrying both became overwhelming —and somewhere along the way, I lost my way. I began to question whether I was strong enough to continue, and at one point, I seriously considered walking away from medicine altogether.
That changed when Dr. Sanjhai Ramdeen, M.D. invited me to join the Jamaican mission. I almost didn’t go, but I am endlessly grateful that I did.
The week-long mission healed something inside me —it mended my soul.
I will never forget the moment Dr. Jacobs invited me to scrub into one of his surgical cases and assist with the patch repair of a ventricular septal defect. He gently placed my hand to the patient’s heart so I could feel the powerful thrill of the VSD beneath my fingertips — and in that instant, something shifted inside me. I felt invigorated and reminded of why I chose medicine in the first place. Standing beside him, participating in the restoration of a child’s heart, felt sacred —steadying in a way I hadn’t experienced before. At one point, he turned to me and asked, “Isn’t this so cool? Does it make you want to consider pursuing this specialty?” Little did he know, it was as if he was speaking directly to the turmoil I was carrying inside, sensing the internal battle I hadn’t yet found the words to share.
When I stepped out of the operating room, I retreated into the quiet of the ICU restroom, where the weight of the moment finally caught up to me. Tears came running down my face… I felt clarity. In that stillness, I understood and accepted that this was truly my calling and there was no denying it. The walls I had built in doubt began to crumble, and every uncertainty I had been carrying quietly fell away. I felt humbled and simultaneously deeply disappointed in myself for ever questioning this path, knowing how rare and privileged it is to be entrusted with another human life.
This mission was especially meaningful because it coincided with the 20th anniversary of CKFoF — a truly special moment to join such a longstanding effort. The mission itself represents a remarkable legacy. For over two decades, Dr. Jacobs and CKFoF have partnered with Jamaican institutions at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, alongside Sherard Little, M.D. and Cleopatra Patterson, MD, to provide life-saving congenital cardiac surgery to local children who otherwise would not have access to this level of care. A total of 13 surgeries were performed during this outreach week (February 7–13, 2026) on children with life-threatening heart problems. Through these efforts, more than 160 children have received surgery, while also helping establish a sustainable pediatric cardiac program in Jamaica.
As a medical student, I helped gather patient data while also reconnecting with families and inviting former patients to the 20-year reunion. The celebration was indescribable — seeing living proof of this mission’s impact. I had the honor of meeting individuals who underwent surgery as children, including patients operated on in 2011 who are now 28 years old, and hearing about their lives as they pursue education and future careers. Witnessing their journeys firsthand powerfully affirmed the lasting impact of this work.
I also had the opportunity to interact with patients post-operatively, including walking alongside Xamir, a 2-year-old recovering from heart surgery. That brief moment with him— steady steps after such a big battle — reminded me just how resilient these children are, and in turn, reminded me of the strength I strive to carry forward myself.
During the mission, Dr. Jacobs gave each student volunteer a book titled “Above the Chatter, Our Words Matter” by Bruce Pulver — a collection of reflections emphasizing purpose, presence, and the power of positive talk. Inside, each copy was personally signed by the author with a unique message. Mine read: “You are here for a reason, the world needs you!”
Those words stayed with me.
As the mission concluded, I stood on a Jamaican beach called Puerto Seco. As I watched the waves roll in, I felt an unfamiliar sense of peace. For the first time in a long time, I truly believed I was going to be okay — no matter the outcome. It felt as though the scattered pieces of my journey were finally aligning.
At the end of the mission, I wrote Dr. Jacobs a letter thanking him for the opportunity to participate and contribute to CKFoF. I will never forget his words to me at the airport as we prepared to depart: “Don’t quit. You’re going to be a great doctor one day.” He went on to describe qualities he had observed in me during the mission — strengths I had not yet recognized in myself. In that moment, hope returned. The fire that had dimmed inside me was rekindled, and my sense of purpose came surging back.
Through this experience, I gained not only an extraordinary mentor but also my sense of direction about the physician and surgeon I aspire to become. Dr. Jacobs’ mentorship is irreplaceable. His dedication is unwavering, his skill exceptional. He welcomed me — a mere islander from Micronesia— into an environment of excellence, compassion, and teaching. I will forever be grateful that our paths crossed, and I can only pray one day to become even half the phenomenal surgeon and person he is.
I share this story for anyone, especially my fellow peers, who find themselves questioning their worth, their resilience, or their place in medicine. To those wondering whether they are enough: you are not alone. The light at the end of the tunnel is closer than it seems.
One quote from the book Dr. Jacobs gifted continues to resonate deeply with me: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why” by Mark Twaine.
I rediscovered my “why” on this mission.
And to all of us on this marathon towards becoming the best physicians and humans we can be: I challenge you to keep going. Don’t quit. Stay the course until you discover your own “why”. This is just the beginning.
I dedicate this piece to Dr. Jacobs — an extraordinary mentor whose dedication to healing hearts inside and outside the operating room has forever shaped and transformed my journey.
View the full gallery of Althea's journey below:
