Oswald Simpson and his daughter, Bevon Simpson, were flown from Jamaica so that Oswald could undergo a pacemaker placement procedure at Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s Hospital. All of Oswald’s medical expenses, as well as the father and daughter’s travel costs, were donated from Springfield residents and members of the local medical community.

Last month, Oswald Simpson of Jamaica spent a few life-changing days in Springfield, thanks to the generosity of Springfield residents and members of the local medical community. The 65-year-old Simpson underwent a pacemaker placement procedure at Prairie Heart Institute at St. John's Hospital.

In January, Dr. Nilesh Goswami, Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, was on a mission trip to Jamaica with the Mercy Project, a charitable organization founded by local dentist Dr. Robert Burris. During the mission trip, Goswami saw Simpson at a clinic in rural Jamaica and discovered he had complete heart block.

Heart block is a condition where the top chambers of the heart do not communicate with the bottom chambers, resulting in an extremely slow pulse. Goswami and Burris collaborated to bring Simpson to Springfield for treatment for his condition.

Thanks to Lisa Burris, who is married to Dr. Burris, Oswald and his daughter Bevon Simpson (who is a schoolteacher) were flown to Springfield so he could have the procedure. He made a good recovery and the father and daughter returned to Jamaica just a few days later.

Lisa Burris runs her own charitable organization which she calls "the batch." She bakes cookies, wraps them in simple packaging and ties them with twine and attaches an appropriate jewelry charm. "Actually I was able to give the first $1,000 I earned to help out Oswald," she said. "I started my business on May 8, so my months run from the 8th to the 8th. I donate to different causes. My mission effort for Oct. 8-Nov. 8 is the Haitian Christian Mission."

While Lisa Burris donated the cost of the airfare, commitments were secured from St. John's Hospital, Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants and Boston Scientific to cover the costs of Simpson's medical care and the pacemaker device at no expense to him or his family. Dr. James Mullin, Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, performed the pacemaker implant procedure.

"Dr. Goswami really pushed for this," said Dr. Burris, who is planning another mission trip to Jamaica in January (which he has taken annually for 14 years) and a trip to Nairobi next summer. "This is an unusual situation, but it was really important to Dr. Goswami that Oswald have this done."

"Through the assistance and generosity of many people who've never met Oswald Simpson, we were able to get him medical attention that will improve and prolong his quality of life," said Goswami. "This is a great example of what can be accomplished with a little motivation, cooperation and good will."