A surprise diagnosis

Gerald Marcus is an active, busy accountant-a husband and father of two from

"Everyone at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center was outstanding-the surgeons, physicians, nurses, aids, international patient coordinators, and administrative staff."

Johannesburg, South Africa. When a routine work physical uncovered that he had a serious heart condition, Gerald, who had no symptoms, was shocked. His condition, severe mitral incompetence, prevented his heart from effectively pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout his body. Gerald and his family researched his condition and treatment options extensively.

 The choices

Fortunately, Gerald had a number of alternatives; he could have the valve surgically repaired or it could be replaced with a mechanical valve. Repair was preferred in Gerald's medical situation because with repair, his heart function could be better preserved, and he would be able to resume his normal activities following surgery.

Valve repair surgery is performed on a limited scale in South Africa, and Gerald's cardiologist recommended that he go abroad for the operation. Again, Gerald had choices. He could have a valve replacement performed instead, or he could go to a facility that does many more valve repairs than are performed in South Africa. He asked his cousin in Israel to research the possibility of having a mitral valve repair operation done at a facility in Israel. Gerald's cousin's contact, Prof. Hylton Miller, then Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Unit at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, consulted with Prof. Gideon Uretzky, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who heads a distinguished surgical team at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. After careful evaluation of Gerald's test results, scans and reports, they agreed that the repair was the correct decision.

A unique training opportunity

What was significant about Gerald's surgery? Gerald's South African cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Aldrich Jacobs, saw this as an opportunity both to learn by observing the surgery and to optimize Gerald's follow-on care. Dr. Jacobs accompanied Gerald from South Africa to Tel Aviv and was present throughout the surgical procedure. With the experience he obtained, Dr. Jacobs plans to use the repair techniques learned when performing valve repairs in South Africa.

World-class care

Gerald spoke of the challenges of planning and having surgery in a foreign country, with no knowledge of the language or culture. What he found at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is that genuine care and expert medicine transcend all barriers. The English-speaking international patient services staff helped alleviate the concerns Gerald had about communicating. All the arrangements both before his arrival and during his visit were done based on his needs and comfort. Gerald and Dr. Jacobs were impressed with the standard of care and the progressive techniques used during the surgery and recovery.

As Gerald says, the teamwork among the entire care team-the surgeons, physicians, nursing staff, international patient coordinators, and administrators-was remarkable. With the personal attention, ongoing dialog and caregiver interactions, Gerald himself felt like an active member of the team.

Complete medical expense coverage

Gerald had another huge benefit; his medical care expenses were reimbursed by his health insurance plan.

Gerald's recovery