This year has been an exciting time for the St. Louis chapter of World Pediatrics. The nonprofit, which helps heal children and advance pediatric health care throughout the world, has been operating in the region for 20 years. It was established as Healing the Children Missouri by Kate Corbett, who was inspired by her humanitarian work in Haiti and the life-saving medical care her son received in St. Louis. In 2011, the organization merged with a nonprofit in Richmond, Virginia, to form World Pediatrics. “It’s been incredible to witness and be a part of so many children’s healing,” Corbett says. “We look forward to continuing our current work and expanding our global network of pediatric care.”
When the local chapter of World Pediatrics began, it served around 100 children annually. In two decades, the organization’s impact has grown significantly, helping more than 25,000 children, providing nearly 69,000 medical services, performing more than 17,000 surgeries and sending more than 750 surgical and diagnostic teams to partner countries. “The growth of our impact has been incredible,” Corbett says. “We work hand-in-hand with teams in the Caribbean and Latin America to make a powerful impact. In the next 10 years, we look forward to reaching even more children.”
World Pediatrics’ success wouldn’t be possible without the support of the St. Louis community, according to Corbett. Along with fiscal donations, the nonprofit relies on local medical professionals sharing their time and expertise to provide care both in St. Louis and its partner countries. “Thanks to the work of the medical community, St. Louis has become a beacon of global health care—saving lives not only here but around the world,” she says. “For every dollar donated, we can mobilize $5 in pediatric specialty services, thanks in part to our supply partners and the talent donated by doctors, surgeons and other health care professionals.”
Along with organizing trips with St. Louis medical professionals and bringing children to the U.S. for care, World Pediatrics also is dedicated to improving health care in its partner countries. This includes training initiatives for local medical providers, coordinating care between countries to reduce the need for travel and using technology to offer remote consultations. “We continue to be committed to providing care, but our focus has expanded to empowering global health care providers, too,” Corbett says. “We imagine a world where medical care is accessible to every child. Making that a reality includes removing barriers to care in their home countries as well.”
A large portion of World Pediatrics’ programs are funded through its annual Treasures in Paradise gala, which will be held Jan. 24 at Old Warson Country Club. Guests can look forward to an entertaining evening and the chance to bid on exciting auction items, including vacation packages. “When so many St. Louisans come together to do good, it’s always an exciting atmosphere,” Corbett says. “Every attendee will be able to go home knowing that they made a life-changing impact in the life of at least one child. The more people who join us, the more children we can heal.”
World Pediatrics helps heal children and advance pediatric health care throughout the world. Its annual Treasures in Paradise gala is Jan. 24 at Old Warson Country Club. Pictured on the cover: Dr. Lindley Wall, Dr. Caroline K. Lee, Dr. Howard M. Place. For more information, call 314.317.8809 or visit worldpediatrics.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
