MADISON (WKOW) -- When it comes to taking care of people-- borders don't matter for healthcare professionals. That certainly couldn't be more true for the president of St. Mary's Hospital.
It makes Frank Byrne "Someone You Should Know."
He walks the halls of St. Mary's Hospital as often as he can.
Hospital President Frank Byrne likes to offer staff a friendly hello and thanks for a job well done.
Frank's passion for reaching out goes beyond the hospital walls, even beyond the country.
"It made me feel great to see people from our community working together to help people in a completely different country," said Frank.
Through the Wisconsin Medical Project, Frank, along others from St. Mary's, Dane County health leaders, and even his 16-year-old son took a week of vacation to go on a trip to Madison's sister city, Camaguey, Cuba.
"We visited the cancer hospital, we visited the pediatric hospital, visited the provincial hospital which would be kinda like a St. Mary's that provides specialized hospital care," said Frank.
Each person had to pay their own way and carry two 70 pound suitcases filled with equipment.
"So we have equipment that really can be used here that's not compatible with other newer systems that can be used in Cuba," said Frank.
Frank has gone on a number of medical service trips over the years. He says each time, he comes home with the same thought.
"The most overwhelming feeling you have is a sense of gratitude for what we have here," said Frank. "For the talented people we have here, plus the resources at our disposal."
And that the human spirit is the same, no matter what country you are in.
"I think you see pretty quickly that people are people," said Frank. "That generally, our needs are the same, our hopes are the same, our dreams are the same for the future.'
For more information on the Wisconsin Medical Project click: http://wismedproject.org/
