University Hospital Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Heart Transplant Program

Contact: Patty Thelen (513) 585-7200
12-20-2005

Cincinnati - The University Hospital and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Heart Transplant Program on Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., in the main lobby of the hospital. Heart transplant recipients, family members, physicians and staff will be available for media interviews and photographs. The schedule of the program is as follows:

1:30 p.m. Mingling

2 p.m.  Welcome Remarks

• James Kingsbury, Executive Director & Senior Vice President, University Hospital

2:10 p.m. Inception/History of the Program

• David Melvin, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University Hospital; Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, UC College of Medicine; Performed first heart transplant at University Hospital
• John Flege, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University Hospital; Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, UC College of Medicine

2:25 p.m. Today's Heart Transplant Program at University Hospital

• Lynne Wagoner, M.D., Medical Director of University Hospital Heart Transplant Program; Associate Professor, Division of Cardiology, UC College of Medicine
• Walter Merrill, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University Hospital; Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UC College of Medicine

2:40 p.m. Change of Heart Support Group

• Don Burke, University Hospital Heart Transplant Recipient

3 p.m. Refreshments & Mingling

The University Hospital became the region's first and only adult Heart Transplant Program when David Melvin, M.D., performed the first heart transplant on Dec. 17, 1985. Since the program began, University Hospital has performed 349 heart transplants. Currently, there are 21 local residents on the waiting list for a heart transplant.

"The University Hospital/University of Cincinnati heart transplant program has given nearly 400 people a second chance at life," says Lynne Wagoner, M.D. "Since 1985, medical advancements and heart failure treatment options have improved, giving many heart failure patients a better quality of life. When medical therapies no longer work, heart transplantation is an appropriate next step."

"We are so thankful to all the donor families who have made the decision to donate their loved one?s organs during such a difficult time," says Walter Merrill, M.D. "It is through the generosity of donor families that we are able to continue providing this life-saving operation to those who so desperately need it."

In November, University Hospital was named among the 100 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the nation by Solucient, a leading health care information content company. This was the fifth time University Hospital was named to the list.

The University Hospital is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system that also includes The Christ Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.

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