Hartford HealthCare physician changes lives in Rwanda

Dr. Stephanie Saucier of the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute spent two weeks in Rwanda treating patients with cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Saucier is a member of ‘Team Heart,’ a nonprofit that treats people in Rwanda with rheumatic heart disease. She visited Rwanda with the team previously in 2020.

Saucier’s most recent trip was last week where she said the team screened over 50 patients and operated on seven to eight people.

“All the work Team Heart has done has been critical and really pivotal to the people of Rwanda,” Saucier said. “The patients are just incredible. They’re so thankful and they’re gracious … they’re just thankful to have a second chance.”

Rheumatic heart disease is caused by untreated strep throat. Saucier explained how in Rwanda, it is not understood that having a sore throat could require antibiotics, so taking the time to educate people is a big part of what she does abroad.

“I am more humbled in my work. My passion for medicine is always reignited. It really goes to show … we’re really lucky in the United States — especially Connecticut. We can get care from the providers we want.”

Saucier is also one of the co-directors of the Women’s Heart Wellness Program at Hartford HealthCare. The program was created because as Saucier explains, women do not receive the same care as men for their heart health.

She is passionate about getting care for those who need it most.

“I’m blessed to have been able to make a little bit of a difference in someone else’s life,” Saucier said.