ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – Prof. Dr. Bhagwan Koirala, Nepal’s pioneering open-heart surgeon and Founder of the Kathmandu Institute of Child Health (KIOCH), will be the keynote guest at the K-PALS 5th Annual Networking and Fundraising Event on September 5, 2026, in Englewood, Colorado.
Widely recognized for transforming cardiac care in Nepal, Dr. Koirala is now leading an ambitious national initiative to establish seven children’s hospitals across Nepal’s seven provinces, aiming to ensure that children receive specialized healthcare regardless of where they are born. His visit to Colorado will highlight this mission while strengthening ties between healthcare, education, and community leaders in the United States and Nepal.
Organized by the Colorado Nepalese Community and KIOCH Partners of America (K-PALS), the event is expected to bring together healthcare professionals, universities, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, philanthropists, and community members who share a commitment to improving children’s health and expanding global partnerships.
Beyond fundraising, organizers describe the gathering as an opportunity to build lasting connections between Colorado and Nepal. Potential areas of collaboration include medical residencies, clinical training programs, student and faculty exchanges, volunteer service opportunities, research partnerships, cultural exchange initiatives, and broader global health programs.
A central focus of the event is supporting the growth of the Kathmandu Institute of Child Health. Organizers said that 100 percent of donations collected through the campaign will go directly toward the construction and expansion of children’s hospitals across Nepal. The initiative seeks to bring quality pediatric healthcare closer to families, particularly in regions where specialized medical services remain limited.
“This is more than a fundraiser,” organizers said. “It is a chance to create sustainable partnerships that can improve healthcare access for children and strengthen collaboration between Nepal and the United States.”
The event will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Social Fabric Hub, 67 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado. Community members who cannot attend in person are encouraged to support the initiative through donations or by sharing information about the event within their networks.
Organizers emphasize that every contribution, whether through attendance, donations, or community outreach, helps advance a larger goal: ensuring that a child’s access to quality healthcare is not determined by geography.