Foundation’s flagship initiative aims to unite stakeholders, accelerate innovation and improve lifetime outcomes for millions living with congenital heart defects
The Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation today announced the launch of its flagship initiative, the Mussallem Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Alliance, which is dedicated to saving and improving the lives of people born with congenital heart defects.
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect worldwide, affecting 1 in every 100 babies, and the leading cause of death for infants with any type of birth defects. Far too many children born with CHD do not make it to their first birthday, and those who survive often face a lifetime of complex medical issues requiring specialized care. Yet, congenital heart defects remain under the medical radar and severely lacking in awareness, innovation, and investment.
To highlight the vision and stories behind its mission, the Mussallem CHD Alliance has created a short video that brings awareness to the life experiences of those affected by congenital heart defects and the urgent need for progress. Learn more about the Alliance’s work and hear directly from some of those affected by CHD by watching the video:
“People with congenital heart defects live in a daunting reality. Despite decades of progress, too many still face outdated, underfunded solutions and slow-moving innovation,” said Mike Mussallem, Co-Founder of the Mussallem CHD Alliance. “By uniting clinicians, researchers, healthcare innovators, policymakers, advocates, and patients themselves, we are determined to overcome these challenges and deliver transformative care for people with CHD at every stage of life.”
The Mussallem CHD Alliance’s mission is to ensure that people born with CHD can survive and thrive with timely diagnosis, access to breakthrough treatments, and lifelong support. The Alliance is guided by three goals:
- Improve access to quality, lifelong care for those affected by CHD;
- Propel the development and adoption of innovative technologies to improve lives; and
- Support patients with CHD in overcoming critical health challenges.
“The gap between what is available and what is possible is vast,” said Linda Mussallem, Co-Founder of the Mussallem CHD Alliance. “From the first heartbeat onward, our commitment is to close that gap and change the trajectory for millions of lives.”
“We are bringing together a global community to tackle the most urgent challenges facing CHD patients and their families by focusing on collaboration, data-driven solutions, and expanding access to high-quality care,” added Orin Herskowitz, President of the Mussallem CHD Alliance. “The Alliance is committed to delivering real, measurable progress and giving people born with congenital heart defects the best possible chance for a healthier and more fulfilling future.”
The Mussallem CHD Alliance invites all those who share its mission to join in building a global alliance for CHD care to ensure that patients have access to the best possible care throughout their lifetime.
On January 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. PT, the Mussallem CHD Alliance will host a webinar featuring Mike Mussallem and Orin Herskowitz to share more information about the Alliance’s vision, strategy, and first initiatives. Please visit the following link to register for the event: https://forms.gle/hbisjJBdM9z7gx9h8.
About the Mussallem CHD Alliance
The Mussallem CHD Alliance is the flagship initiative of the Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation dedicated to helping people born with congenital heart defects (CHD) survive and thrive, from their first heartbeat onward.