The Transplantation Institute at Loma Linda University Health will honor its 50 years of history during the “Give Life. Renew Life.” golden anniversary event Sunday, Nov. 19, at Centennial Complex, in two parts: a morning continuing education session for health professionals, followed by a celebration luncheon.
The luncheon, from noon to 2:30 p.m., will feature guest speaker Rear Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu, MD, MPH, acting U.S. surgeon general in 2002 and in 2006-2007.
Additional remarks, about the history of transplantation at Loma Linda University Health, the breakthrough story of Baby Fae, and the plans for transplantation in the future new hospital, will be given by LLU Medical Center CEO Kerry Heinrich, JD; Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Roger Hadley, MD; and pioneering infant heart transplant surgeon Leonard Bailey, MD.
Two patient speakers, as well as videos sharing patient stories, will testify to the healing impact of the Transplantation Institute.
50 years of organ transplantation
The journey of organ transplantation at Loma Linda University Health began April 23, 1967, when California Highway Patrol officers rushed at top speeds to deliver a donated kidney to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where surgeon Louis Smith, MD, class of 1949, successfully transplanted the organ to save the life of an adult male patient who had been on dialysis for 100 days.
It was the first kidney transplant ever performed in inland Southern California.
The growth of the program to include multiple organ and tissue transplantation over the past half a century has continued to make the Transplantation Institute the area leader in comprehensive transplant care for children and adults. It routinely serves patients from as far away as Las Vegas.
As of Oct. 30, 2017, the Transplantation Institute has performed 2,962 kidney transplants, 808 heart transplants, 661 liver transplants and 227 pancreas transplants.
It is also expanding its services into new, underserved markets to provide patients care closer to home.
Morning continuing education offerings
Surgeons of the Transplantation Institute will share their expertise in a continuing education session that offers 2.5 CEU or CME hours for physicians, nurses and social workers. The program begins at 8:30 a.m.
RSVPs and registration
RSVP for the anniversary celebration luncheon by Friday, Nov. 17, to Karen Jackson at 909-558-3688.
Register for the continuing education morning session via the OWL or CE portals.
Both programs will take place in the Centennial Complex.