1999
After meeting a young girl in Guyana suffering from accidental ingestion of a caustic cleaning fluid, orthodontist and South Richmond Rotarian Dr. Julian Metts begins formation of his vision of “a hospital without walls.”
2001
South Richmond Rotary Club launches its “project” as the International Hospital for Children (IHC).
International Hospital for Children hires Susan Rickman as Executive Director, its first paid staff member, and an office is established in Richmond, VA.
First IHC US Referral case facilitated and brought to Richmond, VA for care at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital.
2004
Inspired by her experiences in Haiti as well as having a son whose life was saved by the St. Louis medical community, Kate Corbett establishes Healing the Children Missouri (HTCMO) in St. Louis. Kate also served as volunteer Executive Director.
2005
1,000th child reached by IHC programs.
2006
2008
IHC launches Eastern Caribbean “Hub Concept” in partnership with the government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines to extend WPP surgical services in St. Vincent to children from the entire Eastern Caribbean.
Patient Information System established, transforming ability to reach, follow, and connect children to care across IHC programs.
2011
International Hospital for Children merges with Healing the Children Missouri to form World Pediatric Project, creating a second office location in the United States.
Conjoined twin girls from the Dominican Republic are successfully separated after surgery at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
2012
WPP establishes its first neonatal care training program in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, providing local health care workers hands on training in caring for newborns.
2016
WPP reaches a joyous milestone, 10,000 children healed.
2017
WPP launches dedicated operating theater (OR) at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown, St. Vincent.
2018
500th international team mobilized – Barbados Scoliosis Surgery.
2019
WPP hosts first-ever regional perinatal health conference in the Eastern Caribbean on the island of Barbados with more than 60 participants from 7 countries.
2020
Susan Rickman retires as Chief Executive Officer of World Pediatric Project after 19 years of service; Executive Vice President Brian Shaw is named Interim CEO.
2021
WPP’s Executive Board of Directors announces Vafa Akhavan as permanent Chief Executive Officer, effective October 25th.
