Oakland, California, U.S.A.—May 16, 2008—George F. Russell, Jr. donated $100,000 USD to Phase 2 of the East Meets West Foundation (EMW) and Children’s Hospital #1 (Nhi Dong #1) project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The project seeks to directly impact the growth of pediatric cardiology in Vietnam through the training of cardiologists and surgeons, the building of a first-class pediatric heart center, the provision of the latest and most modern equipment, and the funding of surgeries through Operation Healthy Heart (OHH), the EMW program that supports children with congenital heart defects.

 “Upon hearing about the work that East Meets West is currently doing in Vietnam in the area of public health and cardiology in particular, I felt compelled to contribute to this Children’s Hospital #1 project,” said George F. Russell, Jr. “I hope that East Meets West will continue to help increase the technical capacity of this hospital and others, so that the children of Vietnam can grow up to be healthy adults and contribute to their country’s development.”

The Children’s Hospital #1 project focuses on building technical capacity and improving cardiovascular services for pediatric patients in southern Vietnam. The first phase will be completed in September 2008. This is especially important as the hospital functions as one of the main tertiary treatment facilities for all children in the 31 provinces and cities in southern Vietnam. Phase 2 encompasses on-site and overseas training for current hospital staff, new equipment, and additional OHH surgeries. The third and final phase will see the construction of the hospital’s new state-of-the-art pediatric heart center.

Since 1994, Operation Healthy Heart has provided lifesaving financial assistance for surgeries to over 1,500 children in Vietnam and is currently active in 17 provinces. OHH aims to greatly expand cardiac care capacities in Vietnam and improve long-term health outcomes for sick children with serious heart disease. At the Children’s Hospital #1, there are approximately 8,000 cases on the waiting list for cardiac surgery, including 5,000 children with congenital heart defects (CHDs). The highest admission of CHD patients is for children under five years old.
           
“East Meets West would like to thank George F. Russell, Jr. and is extremely pleased to accept this significant contribution, which will go a long way towards improving overall pediatric health care in Vietnam,” said John Anner, EMW’s Executive Director. “By assisting in building the technical and structural capacity of Children’s Hospital #1 as well as funding children’s heart surgeries, George’s gift will eventually help to save the lives of millions of children—the future of Vietnam.” 

About George F. Russell, Jr.

George F. Russell, Jr. is Chairman Emeritus and was the visionary behind the Frank Russell Company, now known as Russell Investments. George joined his grandfather, Frank Russell, in business in 1958 to run a small brokerage firm. Under George's leadership, the company grew into one of the world's leading investment advisory firms. George pioneered the business of pension fund consulting in the late 1960s and initiated asset management in 1980. He served as chairman from 1958 until 2002, three years after the firm was sold to Northwestern Mutual Life in 1999.

He is also Co-Chairman of the EastWest Institute, Co-Chairman of the Kendall-Russell Centre for Corporate Competitiveness in Russia, Chairman of the National Bureau of Asian Research, Chairman of Transmutation Technologies, Inc., Chairman of the Russell Family Foundation, member of the board of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Humanitarian Forum, and Chairman Emeritus of the Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art.

To find out more about this project or any EMW news, contact the Communications Department at info@eastmeetswest.org.