MEDIA CONTACTCraig Civale[email protected]office: (214) 820-6251 cell: (817) 709-7067
Newswise — DALLAS, February 12th, 2016 – Surgical teams at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas transplanted the 4000th liver in the history of the hospital’s transplant program February 3rd. The milestone is a first for any hospital system in Texas and one that only two other transplant programs in the country have achieved.
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, expertise and compassion of our dedicated professionals who work so hard to improve the lives of our patients and their families,” said Goran Klintmalm, MD, PhD, FACS, chief and chairman of Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute.
Klintmalm is an internationally recognized pioneer in liver transplantation. He started the transplant program at Baylor University Medical Center, performing the first liver transplant in December of 1984.Thirty-one years later, he led the surgical team that performed the 4000th liver procedure on patient Joseph Frink. Frink, a 55 year old engineer from Rowlett Texas, suffered from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or a buildup of fat on the liver, and needed a new organ to survive.
“I want to thank the donor for this amazing gift, it is overwhelming knowing I have this second chance at life,” said Frink. “It has only been a few days, but it is amazing how much better I already feel,” he added.Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute is one of the busiest multi-specialty transplant centers in the world. It is home to a highly experienced team of physicians and other clinicians who provide comprehensive transplant services. A leader in solid organ transplant in the United States, Baylor Simmons Transplant Institute has successfully transplanted more than 8,200 organs over the last 30 years.
The center also has one of the most active living donor transplant programs in the country.
Living donor transplants make up close to 20 percent of Baylor University Medical Center’s liver donations in 2015, making it a top five destination by volume for living liver donations.
“To meet the growing demand of patients who require a transplant, healthy living liver donors are the only real alternative, and we have been able to achieve safe, quality outcomes for both our donors and patients,” said Giuliano Testa, MD, surgical director of living donor liver transplant at Baylor University Medical Center.
About Baylor Scott & White HealthFormed from the 2013 merger between Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare, the system known as Baylor Scott & White Health is the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state of Texas. With total assets of $9 billion* and serving a population larger than the state of Georgia, Baylor Scott & White Health has the vision and resources to provide its patients continued quality care while creating a model system for a dramatically changing health care environment. The system now includes 56 hospitals, more than 900 access points, 5,800 active physicians, and 40,000 employees, plus the Scott & White Health Plan and Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance, a network of clinical providers and facilities focused on improving quality, managing the health of patient populations, and reducing the overall cost of care. For more information visit: www.BaylorScottandWhite.com* based on unaudited 2015 fiscal year statements
RSS