Bridges Across the Atlantic

 

Bridges Across the Atlantic, founded in 1995 by Meladee Hughes, is affiliated with the Hektoen Institute of Medicine, which operates as their fiscal and business agent. Ms. Hughes has been collaborating with the Hektoen Institute to develop cooperative programs designed to raise the quality of healthcare among children worldwide.

While living for two years in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, Meladee Hughes toured hundreds of hospitals, schools and orphanages and decided to make a difference in as many children’s lives as possible through medical assistance and cultural exchanges in these economically developing countries.

Bridges Across the Atlantic has successfully completed pediatric medical missions in over 20 countries and developed surgical training for doctors in cardiology, orthopedic and neurosurgery. Through Ms. Hughes’ efforts, and with the generous help of volunteers, more than 500,000 pounds of medicines, medical supplies and equipment, encyclopedias, dictionaries, educational books, art supplies, clothes and toys have been donated and distributed to Eastern Europe, Africa, Central America and China.

More than two hundred doctors have been sponsored by Bridges Across the Atlantic for exchange programs giving the doctors the opportunity to visit ten Chicago area hospitals and observe medical procedures while exchanging ideas and technologies with local doctors. Bridges Across the Atlantic sponsored many children with serious medical problems to come to the Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and Mayo Clinic for treatment.

An international exchange medical team program was developed and implemented in 1999. Teams of American doctors and nurses from various hospitals traveled to Russia and China to perform lifesaving surgeries and conduct training programs in their specialties.