December 14, 2007

Transplant Center Symposium highlights past achievements and future goals

More than 200 nurses, physicians and researchers from the MGH Transplant Center gathered Nov. 16 to celebrate the center's first annual symposium highlighting the novel research and important life-saving contributions to organ transplantation being made at the newly formed center.

The event began with opening remarks from Joren C. Madsen, MD, DPhil, director of the Transplant Center, and Jay Fishman, MD, associate director. Both thanked the group for its commitment to innovation and teamwork, and Madsen outlined the center's goals.

From left, Kevin O'Connor, NEOB senior vice president; Ann Prestipino, senior vice president for Surgical and Anesthesia Services and Clinical Business Development; Madsen; Rich Luskin, NEOB president and CEO; Fishman and Valerius during the HRSA Award presentation

This symposium is about what the future holds for the MGH Transplant Center," he said. "It's not only about increasing the numbers of transplants. It's also about progressive thinking and innovation."

Paul S. Russell, MD, chief of the MGH Transplant Unit from 1969 through 1990, followed with a talk about the MGH's tremendous contributions to transplantation, illustrated with photographs from some of the earliest transplant research and procedures. Guests also heard presentations and discussions on recent advancements in heart failure treatment and the success the MGH has achieved in establishing immune tolerance in kidney transplant recipients. In the afternoon, MGH scientists at work on difficult problems in transplantation immunobiology presented their findings.

As another component of the symposium, the New England Organ Bank (NEOB)
presented the MGH with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HRSA Medal of Honor for excellent achievements in organ donation.

Through the first 11 months of 2007, there have been 23 organ donors at the MGH, more than in any previous calendar year. "These numbers represent the commitment and dedication of everyone at the MGH toward organ donation," said Wendy Valerius, RN, MGH donation liaison and hospital relations coordinator for the NEOB.

Transplant Center leadership agreed that the event achieved its goal of bringing together and inspiring those working in the field of transplantation at the MGH. "The MGH holds a unique place in the history of transplantation. That, combined with all the talent currently within the center, has poised the MGH to truly become the nation's premier transplant center," says Madsen.