The Official Residence of the Russian Consul General, San Francisco

The Honorable Vladimir Vinokurov, Consul General of the Russian Federation, and his wife Lyubov host an evening for Heart to Heart at their private residence.

Consul General Vladimir Vinokurov with his Wife Lyubov

Our gracious hosts greet guests arriving at their home. Since Mr. Vinokurov assumed his post in San Francisco in 2007, the Vinokurovs have hosted hundreds of Heart to Heart medical volunteers and supporters at the Consulate, as well as hosting intimate gatherings à la Russe in their home.

Consul General Vladimir Vinokurov

Consul General Vinokurov expresses his appreciation of Heart to Heart’s work to save children in Russia. In 2009, the Vinokurovs celebrated with us both the “graduation” of our children’s heart program in Samara and the launch of our newest program, in Rostov-on-Don.

Guests Enjoy Welcoming Remarks

The evening brings together Heart to Heart donors, medical volunteers, and special supporters. Their generosity and faith in our work fuel our continued progress. Tonight, our guests feel personally rewarded by the announcement that at Heart to Heart sponsored sites, our colleague have now saved 10,000 children.

The Legendary Nataliya Makarova with the Vinokurovs

Nataliya Makarova is a former Prima Ballerina with the Kirov ballet. She and other Russian-born dancers are helping Heart to Heart raise awareness of the plight of babies born with heart disease. We appreciate their support of our mission to develop heart centers where these children can be saved.

Heart to Heart Governing Board of Directors

From left: Dr. Keith Flachsbart, President; Josie Everett, Executive Director; Margaret Niland, Secretary; Lizbeth Hasse, Legal Counsel; Dr. Laura Robertson; Dr. Nilas Young, Founder & Medical Director; Steve holland, Chairman.

KRON Channel 4 Weekend News Anchor Marty Gonzalez

Marty Gonzalez (left) and his wife Sue talk with Chairman Steve Holland about Marty’s perspective on Heart to Heart’s work. To mark Heart to Heart’s 20th anniversary in 2009, Marty interviewed Founder Dr. Nilas Young and Executive Director Josie Everett on the KRON morning news show.

Journalist Irina McKay

Irina McKay is a special correspondent for Golos Rodiny, a Russian-language newspaper distributed in 49 countries. The December 2009 issue includes Irina’s feature story on Heart to Heart’s twenty years of life-saving work in the USSR and the new Russia. On this occasion, she is accompanied by her husband Donald and son Artem.

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancers Maria Kochetkova and Gennadi Nedvigin

Heart to Heart’s Executive Director Josie Everett expresses her appreciation for the support of these exceptionally talented international stars.

Heart to Heart Medical Volunteers

From left: Dr. Nilas Young, Dr. David Teitel, Dr. Frank Cetta, nurse Lynn Graham, Dr. Laura Robertson. One pediatric cardiac surgeon, three pediatric cardiologists, one clinical nurse – with more than 40 Heart to Heart surgical-educational missions between them.

Dinner Buffet À La Russe

The dining room is picture perfect, with a sumptuous array of classic appetizers on a traditional Russian table setting. Ruskii stol!

Guests Enjoy the Evening

Heart to Heart volunteer Karina Lawrence (right) talks with consular staffers Natalia Slavkina and Nina Esaulova.

Heart to Heart President Dr. Keith Flachsbart

Dr. Flachsbart has been actively involved with Heart to Heart for nearly ten years. In addition to his international humanitarian work, he played a key role in developing the cardiac surgery program at Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco.

Russian Consuls Yuri Korneev and Nikolai Esaulov

The consular team in San Francisco continues to provide exceptional logistical support to Heart to Heart, granting our medical volunteers easy access to all parts of the Russian Federation.

The Legendary Nataliya Makarova with Her Husband, Edward Karkar

Born in Leningrad, Nataliya danced with the Kirov Ballet until 1970. She went on to dance with the American Ballet Theatre and the Royal Ballet in London.

Guests Enjoy the Party

Loyal supporters (from left) Sharon & Phil Gardner and Paul & Ginger Bonnar always welcome a chance to catch up at Heart to Heart events.

Board Member Margaret Niland (Left) with Alyson Kuhn

Margaret has been on Heart to Heart’s board for more than five years and is currently Secretary. Alyson, a freelance copywriter, has worked with Heart to Heart for several years. They have both participated on a surgical-educational mission to Russia.

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Gennadi Nedvigin

Gennadi Nedvigin has been a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet since 2000. Trained at the Bolshoi School, Gennadi danced with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet and Le Jeune Ballet de France. On this occasion, he is accompanied by friend Miho Utaka.

Guests Enjoy the Party

Valentina & Alex Latkovetsky with Nina Esaulova.

Guest Anya Golodovskaya

Anya Golodovskaya, long-time Heart to Heart volunteer, smiles upon hearing about our upcoming milestone: In 2010, our Russian colleagues trained by Heart will save their ten thousandth child.

Guests Enjoy the Party

From left: Dr. Cristina Young, Dr. Roger Ecker, and Judy Ecker.

San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Maria Kochetkova

Maria has been with the San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer since 2007. A native of Moscow, she joined the Bolshoi Ballet School when she was 10. Prior to coming to San Francisco, she danced with the Royal Ballet and the National Ballet in London. Newly-married, she is shown here with her husband Edward.

Heart to Heart Cupids Julia (Left) and Lucie

Julia and Lucie greeted guests and helped with coats. For these aspiring ballerinas, the chance to talk with famous Russian dancers is a great thrill.