Floyd Moro, a 35-year-old husband, father of two and avid athlete, never imagined that an ordinary day on his farm would turn into a life-or-death race against time. It was a Monday evening like any other in San Ignacio, Belize, where Moro had spent the day tending to his land and livestock. As the sun set, an unusual tightness crept into his chest.
Moro says at first he brushed it off, attributing the discomfort to the physical strain of farm work.
“But by 1 a.m., I woke up with sharp and persistent pain,” Moro says. “That’s when I knew something was seriously wrong.”
Despite his growing concern, Moro calmly told his wife, Leticia, that he needed to go to the hospital. With their children asleep, she stayed home as he made his way to San Ignacio Community Hospital. What began as an unsettling pain had now escalated into something far more severe – a heart attack.
And in a country like Belize, where access to cardiac care is extremely limited, the odds of survival were against him.
The Emergency Unfolds
At the San Ignacio hospital, Moro’s condition quickly deteriorated. Tests revealed that he was experiencing a severe cardiac event. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the medical staff urgently transferred him to Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, about 25 miles away. But Moro’s journey was far from over. His symptoms were now unmistakably the signs of a massive heart attack – a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), which requires immediate intervention. The clock was ticking.
With his condition worsening, Moro was rushed by ambulance about 70 miles away to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City. Belize is a country a little bigger than Massachusetts, with less than half the population of Charlotte, and Karl Heusner is the only tertiary care facility in the country.
It was a race against time. But luckily for Moro, he was about to encounter a team of doctors uniquely equipped to handle his critical condition.
The Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute Team
As fate would have it, a cardiology team from Atrium Health’s Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute was in Belize City at that very moment. Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, an interventional cardiologist from Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, was leading a volunteer mission at the hospital in Belize as part of the International Medical Outreach (IMO) program, a collaborative partnership between Heineman-Robicsek Foundation, Inc. and Atrium Health. The program provides medical and educational assistance globally to promote sustainable health care services and enhanced standards of living in underserved communities.
In Belize, there is no formal STEMI activation system, a protocol designed to rapidly treat heart attack patients by swiftly transferring them to a cardiac catheterization lab. In fact, cardiac catheterization is only available when visiting teams like the one from Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute are on site.
At 4:30 a.m., the call came in from the Western Regional Hospital that a critical patient was en route. Dr. Jeff Lin, a local cardiologist, joined Dr. Schwartz and a skilled medical team, as they all prepared to take swift action, prepping the catheterization lab and gathering the team. By the time Moro arrived at 5:45 a.m., they were ready.
A Lifesaving Procedure
Once inside the catheterization lab, Moro’s condition was dire. An angiogram revealed a complete blockage in his left anterior descending artery, a condition ominously referred to as the "widow-maker" due to its high mortality rate. Without immediate intervention, Moro would likely not survive. At best, he could be left with severe heart damage and a lifetime of heart failure.
Together, Schwartz and Lin performed a life-saving procedure to open the blocked artery.
“Under normal circumstances in Belize, Moro would have been treated only with medication, if available,” Schwartz says.
However, on this day, fate intervened.
“In Belize, patients suffering heart attacks are usually managed medically, without the benefit of life-saving therapies like the ones we performed,” Schwartz says. “It was incredibly fortunate that all the pieces of the puzzle aligned perfectly for Mr. Moro.”
The procedure was a success. Moro’s heart began to beat with renewed strength and the crushing pain in his chest disappeared. Against overwhelming odds, Moro had survived.
"I Feel Brand New"
When Moro woke up after the procedure, he couldn’t believe how much better he felt. The pain that had gripped his chest for hours was gone.
“I give thanks to Dr. Lin and Dr. Schwartz, and the team from Atrium Health. They saved my life,” Moro says.
It was a second chance at life for the young father, who was filled with gratitude for the medical team that saved him.
“The team from Atrium Health lent their expertise and donate supplies to help bridge the gap in care here in Belize,” Lin says. “The ultimate goal is to establish a standalone cardiac program in the country, but for now, we’re able to help where we can.”
A Broader Mission: Cardiovascular Care in Belize
Belize, a Central American nation of approximately 400,000 people, faces significant health care challenges. Access to specialized care in Belize is limited, especially for cardiovascular diseases, which is the leading cause of death among non-communicable diseases. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize, 36% of the population lives in poverty, making it even harder for many to receive the critical care they need.
In 2009, an assessment by IMO found that Belize was nearly half a century behind in cardiovascular care. There was no structured program for diagnostic or interventional cardiology, nor for cardiothoracic surgery.
Recognizing this dire need, IMO launched a partnership with KHMH in 2011. Since then, Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute teams have traveled to Belize monthly, bringing with them not only their expertise but also much-needed medical equipment and supplies. Over the years, the program has grown to include diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations, as well as cardiac surgeries performed with the support of volunteer teams from North Carolina.
“Our goal is not only to treat patients like Mr. Moro, but also to train local staff and leave behind the tools and knowledge necessary to build a self-sustaining cardiac program in Belize,” Schwartz says.
A Bright Future
Moro’s story is not just one of personal survival; it’s a testament to the power of global medical collaboration. The work being done by Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and the IMO program is a shining example of how health care professionals from different parts of the world can come together to save lives.
For Moro and his family, the experience was life changing.
“I am grateful for the second chance,” Moro says. “Everyone took excellent care of me. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”
As the team from Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute continue their work in Belize, the hope is that more lives can be saved, and eventually, a robust cardiovascular care system will take root in the country. In the meantime, stories like Moro’s remind us of the profound impact that timely medical intervention and international cooperation can have on a community.
For Schwartz and the team at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, the mission is clear: to ensure that every patient, no matter where they live, has access to the life-saving care they deserve.
“It’s amazing to look back on all the lives we have saved, and the patients we have been able to help,” Schwartz says. “It’s truly a team effort, and one we are grateful to be part of.”
To learn more about the Atrium Health International Medical Outreach (IMO) program and its work in Belize, visit our website and discover how this initiative is transforming heart care in underserved communities.
