2003 - Matthew Scott, Patti Christerson Pryor, Martin Klapheke M.D.

"The Human Side of Research"

Martin Klapheke, M.D., Jewish Hospital/University of Louisville transplant psychiatrist, moderated the keynote presentation/discussion, "The Human Side of Research," with Matthew Scott, the world’s first successful hand transplant recipient, and Patti Christerson Pryor, daughter of Tom Christerson, the world’s second AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart patient.

Matthew Scott received his new left hand during a surgical procedure performed by a team of hand surgeons, led by Warren C. Breidenbach, M.D., from Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center and University of Louisville on January 24, 1999.  The hand transplant program was developed by a partnership of physicians and researchers at Jewish Hospital, University of Louisville, and Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center.  The pioneering procedure is expected to greatly impact the future of transplantation and reconstructive surgery.

A Jewish Hospital/U of L team, led by surgeons Laman Gray, M.D., and Rob Dowling, M.D., implanted the world’s second AbioCor Heart in Tom Christerson on September 13, 2001.  He was the first artificial heart patient to return home.  Christerson lived with his heart for 17 months before he died on February 7, 2003.  The team also performed the world’s first AbioCor Heart implant.