Intermountain Health executed its first international pediatric transport, dispatching a specialized medical jet more than 6,300 miles from Utah to Montevideo, Uruguay, to rescue 3-year-old Estelle Santiago, who was in a coma with multi-organ failure. According to Intermountain Health clinical coordinator Camille Ward and pediatric critical care physician Dr. Jon Woods, the 18-hour rescue flight successfully returned the critically ill toddler to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where she is expected to make a full recovery after weeks of intensive care and rehabilitation.
A Medical Crisis Thousands of Miles From Home
Estelle Santiago fell gravely ill while visiting her grandparents in Uruguay with her parents, Michael and Ellie, and baby sister Bianca, according to family accounts shared at an Intermountain Health press event on July 29, 2026. The family arrived in South America on December 13 to visit Michael’s parents, who were serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What initially appeared to be a standard bug involving diarrhea and fatigue quickly escalated into intense vomiting, crossed eyes, and disorientation.
Doctors later diagnosed the toddler with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe and potentially deadly condition typically triggered by an E. coli infection that damages small blood vessels, destroys red blood cells, and causes kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Estelle suffered a seizure while in her father’s arms at a local hospital during the early morning hours, leading to continuous dialysis, mechanical breathing support, a brain bleed, and multiple heart and brain infusions as her body began to shut down.
Did you know? Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe systemic condition that primarily impacts kidney function through the destruction of blood platelets and red blood cells, often requiring advanced dialysis and critical care support.
Diplomatic and Logistical Hurdles for the Rescue Flight
With Estelle’s condition deteriorating daily in the foreign hospital, her grandfather, Todd Santiago, a Latter-day Saint mission president, initiated contacts to secure emergency help. On January 7, the family’s plea reached Heather Sullivan at the Intermountain Health Transfer Center in Utah, triggering a complex international rescue operation.
According to Adam Hornung, vice president of Intermountain Health’s medical transport, executing the mission required navigating significant bureaucratic obstacles, including securing health insurance authorization and landing permits in Uruguay that typically require seven business days. Thanks to expedited coordination, the permit was approved in a single day. However, local medical staff in Montevideo argued that the toddler was too fragile to survive the journey and initially urged the American team to abandon the transfer plan.
An Eighteen-Hour Critical Care Flight Back to Utah
The medical crew—consisting of two registered nurses, a respiratory therapist, and four rotating pilots—boarded a Bombardier Challenger 604 medical jet, a specialized aircraft added to the Intermountain fleet in 2022. Flight nurse Rose Linsler and registered nurse Camille Ward recalled the intense preparation required to manage complex interventions mid-flight, including calculating medication stability and establishing protocols for continuous dialysis.
As the jet neared Montevideo following a refueling stop in Peru, a severe storm threatened to block the landing. “We prayed,” Michael Santiago said, describing the moment before the weather cleared, allowing the aircraft to land safely. The medical team loaded Estelle, along with her parents and sister, and began the 18-hour, 6,300-mile journey back to Salt Lake City.
Recovery and Rehabilitation at Primary Children’s Hospital
Upon arrival in Utah, Estelle was admitted to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, where she spent several weeks transitioning from intensive care to rehabilitation. Dr. Jon Woods of University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital noted that while the Uruguayan medical team provided dedicated care, the specialized pediatric infrastructure in Utah was essential for her recovery.
Now age 4, Estelle reunited with members of the flight and medical transport team during the July 2026 gathering in Salt Lake City. Reflecting on the mission, flight nurse Rose Linsler described the operation as a “weekend well spent,” while Estelle’s mother, Ellie Santiago, expressed profound gratitude to the crew, calling them “instruments in God’s hands.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Estelle Santiago’s illness?
Estelle fell ill with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous condition typically triggered by an E. coli infection that causes kidney failure and destroys red blood cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How long was the medical transport flight?
The Intermountain Health air ambulance team flew a Bombardier Challenger 604 medical jet more than 6,300 miles over 18 hours to transport Estelle from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Where is Estelle receiving ongoing care?
After spending several weeks in intensive care and rehabilitation at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Estelle is expected to make a full recovery.
What are your thoughts on this remarkable medical rescue? Share your comments below, explore more health and transport stories on our site, or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.
Related reading