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A Gift From The Heart to The Heart Hospital

8/7/2001 - Albuquerque, New Mexico: On Thursday, August 16, 2001, at The Heart Hospital of New Mexico, one little girl will touch the hearts of some of Albuquerque's leading healthcare professionals with a thoughtful gift.

Nine-year old Kelsey Amanda Root, a fifth grader at Chamisa Elementary School, will present Trudy Land, CEO of the Heart Hospital, and Dr. Harvey White, Chairman of the Board, with a $40 donation. The money was contributed by classmates in Kelsey's Sunday School Class at Mesa View United Methodist Church, one dime for each year they were old to celebrate their birthdays. Sunday School teacher Edie Downs used this project to illustrate missions and charity - sharing and caring for others. After a year, the student who came closest to guessing the amount that had accumulated in the pot could chose a charity to receive the gift. Kelsey's guess was right on the money.

Kelsey, whose mother Katharine Root says has dreamed of being an EMT since preschool, chose the Heart Hospital as her recipient. "We have lots of relatives who are in the medical profession, and Kelsey has a few good friends whose parents or grandparents have had heart surgery or treatment at the Heart Hospital. This has made a big impact on her; she wants to help others in the same way."

Dr. Harvey White was touched by Kelsey's thoughtfulness. "No matter what job you do, it feels good to be recognized for your commitment and caring. Compassion comes in all sizes. Kelsey Root's gift is a gift from the heart that goes in two directions... out to our patients in need of care, and also to the physicians, nurses and technicians, who deal with high-pressure situations, and life and death issues every day. She really touched us."

Located on an 8-acre campus near downtown Albuquerque, the Heart Hospital of New Mexico is an entire medical facility dedicated to fighting heart disease. The specialty hospital results from the shared vision of the New Mexico Heart Institute (NMHI) and Southwest Cardiology Associates (SWCA), the same talented cardiovascular physician groups that pioneered New Mexico's heart programs and established Albuquerque as a leader in heart care. Other partners include St. Joseph Healthcare, a not-for-profit Albuquerque healthcare system with a century of community service, and MedCath, a North Carolina-based firm that manages cardiac hospitals nationwide.

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