Organ Transplant Recipients Reunite with Hospital Staff to Celebrate Life

Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute honors organ donors, three decades of service during reunion

On Sunday, April 26, more than 1600 people whose lives were impacted by organ transplantation gathered to share stories and memories with the Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute transplant team.

Some patients had received a heart, others had received a kidney or a liver, but all had received a second chance at life because of the gift given to them by their organ donors.

"We are reminded each year at this reunion of the impact of organ donation," said Göran Klintmalm, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute. "To have had a small role in that amazing act is truly fulfilling."

Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute combines the transplant services at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth. Each year, more than 490 transplant surgeries are performed at the two medical centers.

30 Years of Innovation in Organ Transplantation

Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute was one of the first three transplant centers in the country and is now one of the largest multi-specialty transplant centers in the U.S. Through the dedication of the transplant medical staff, Baylor has been "first" in a number of areas and is credited with milestones, including:

  • First and only adult living liver donor program in North Texas.
  • First islet cell transplant in North Texas.
  • First certified ventricular assist device (VAD) program in the U.S.
  • First matched, unrelated donor bone marrow transplant in Texas.
  • First adult liver transplant in the Southwest.
  • World's first extra-corporeal perfusion (bridge to transplant) using a genetically engineered pig liver, allowing the patient to survive and successfully undergo liver transplantation.
  • First heart/lung/heart "domino" procedure in North Texas, in which a patient with terminal emphysema receives a single heart and two lungs, while another patient with cardiomyopathy receives the good heart from the patient with emphysema.
  • First paired kidney donor transplant in North Texas.

The transplant institute participates in more than 120 research protocols and has trained more than 35 transplant surgeons and six hepatologists, many of whom have gone on to lead major transplant programs around the world.

The transplant institute team is continuing to find ways to explore new scientific boundaries. Scientists are investigating ways to use stem cells in creation and repair of organs, gene therapy, and immune system treatment to reduce the number of organs that are rejected.  They continue to bring awareness to the critical shortage of donor organs, which unfortunately takes the lives of 18 people each day.

"Moving forward, we are proud of the success over the last 30 years in helping to restore countless lives, but understand the innovation and courage it takes to continue to be an innovative center," said Klintmalm.

* based on unaudited 2014 fiscal year statements

 

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Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health's subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Civale
Craig.Civale@BaylorHealth.edu
(817) 709-7067

About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com