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COVER STORY - World Pediatric Project
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TODD PURDY WITH WORLD PEDIATRIC PROJECT PATIENTS
COVER STORY CONNECTIONS TO CARE
WORLD PEDIATRIC PROJECT by stephanie wallace
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2001, World Pediatric Project has helped 15,458 children in the Caribbean and Central America receive life-changing care. Every year, the nonprofit sends teams of medical professionals to Latin America to deliver much-needed pediatric surgical care, and the most complex cases are brought to St. Louis and other cities for life-saving surgeries. “World Pediatric Project helps kids connect with medical care we often take for granted in the U.S.,” says Todd Purdy, chair of the organization’s executive board.
World Pediatric Project was founded from the merger of two separate nonprofits doing similar work, one right here in St. Louis and the other in Richmond, Virginia. Purdy, who joined the organization through its golf committee, was inspired to get involved due to the focus on serving children in need. “Once you see the kids, you can’t help but want to help,” he explains. “The demand for our services is at an all time high. We will serve just under 3,000 children this year alone, and in the next five to ten years, we’d like to see that number grow to 10,000.”
World Pediatric Project’s usual programs were disrupted in 2020 and 2021, but Purdy says the nonprofit is back to sending as many volunteer teams to Latin America as it did pre-pandemic. It also is continuing to grow its ability to offer virtual care consultations and expanding its network of health care partners in these regions, allowing them to reach even more children in need. “We’ve learned that we can regionalize our program—if a child in Belize needs surgery and we can connect them with a doctor in Guatemala who can perform it, they don’t need to be brought to the U.S.,” he explains. “We also can offer more remote care. One of our technology partners invited us to pilot new smart glasses for surgeons. They will allow the medical experts right here in St. Louis to train health care workers around the world.”
Along with these exciting advances, World Pediatric Project continues to bring children to St. Louis for complex treatments annually. It’s an undertaking that wouldn’t be possible without its local partners. Children receive care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, St. Louis Children’s, Shriners Children’s St. Louis and Mercy hospitals, and Ronald McDonald House provides housing for many of the young patients. “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do if these organizations weren’t so generous with their time, talent and resources,” Purdy notes. “Our medical community has a fantastic footprint of taking care of kids all over the world.”
A large portion of World Pediatric Project’s programs are funded through its annual Treasures in Paradise gala. For 2023, the event will be held Jan. 20 at Old Warson Country Club, and guests can look forward to a reprieve from the St. Louis winter with a Caribbean festival, featuring food, entertainment and an exciting auction. “It’s always one of the coolest cocktail parties in St. Louis—a great way to shake off the holidays, dress festively and enjoy some good food and wine for an awesome cause,” Purdy says. “Treasures in Paradise funds critical care to children and their families and communities. We’ve been blessed to benefit from the great spirit of philanthropy in St. Louis.” &
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