ICHF Announces Dr. William Novick as a Keynote Speaker and Co-Chair at the 7th Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- International Children's Heart Foundation (ICHF) announced today that their founder and medical director, Dr. William Novick will be a  keynote speaker and co-chair  at the 7th Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Geneva, Switzerland from June 20-22, 2011.  ICHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing lifesaving surgical care to children with congenital heart disease throughout the developing world.

Dr. Novick will be discussing the challenges of implementing sustainable cardiac surgery programs in developing countries.  The purpose of the Global Forum is to form partnerships and create platforms to exchange ideas about coordinating humanitarian activities within the field of cardiac medicine.

Dr. Novick, a board certified general and thoracic surgeon, has worked tirelessly as the founder and medical director of ICHF since 1994.  He is a Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee - Memphis.   He was named the Endowed Professor of the Paul Nemir, Jr. Chair of International Child Health at University of Tennessee-Memphis in 1999.

Dr. Novick has been presented with four Presidential medals:  In 2002, he received the Red Star of Croatia by President Stipe Mesic; in 2004, Dr. Novick was awarded the Franskaya Scorina Humanitarian Presidential Medal;  in 2006, he received the Order of Ruben Dario Medal, presented by Nelson Cardenas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Nicaragua.; in 2009, he received the  Presidential Award, Republic of Ukraine, Order of Merit by President Viktor Yushchenko.  In 2005, Dr. Novick was also presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the World Heart Foundation and in 2007, the inaugural Frederique-Constant Passion Award in Geneva, Switzerland.

"The Global Forum will provide a unique opportunity for all individuals interested in the care of those with congenital heart disease in developing countries to share their knowledge, techniques, failures and successes," said Dr. Novick.

About ICHF

Since 1994, the mission of the International Children's Heart Foundation (ICHF) has been to bring the skills, technology and knowledge to diagnose and care for children with congenital heart disease to developing countries that request our help. ICHF does this regardless of country of origin, race, religion or gender.  Our teams are assembled from world class cardiac care centers.  We implement our informational curriculum by operating with and educating local health care professionals.  With this training, they in turn can care for the local children.  Since inception, over 5,000 operations have been performed in countries that span all continents.

For additional Information, visit ICHF on web at http://www.babyheart.org/ or on Facebook at http://www.causes.com/causes/61027.  

Donate now at http://babyheart.org/donate/make-a-financial-donation/.

SOURCE International Children's Heart Foundation