Our 800th lung transplant marks a milestone with a message – early treatment saves lives
Our University Health Transplant Institute lung team has been a national leader, pioneering may “firsts” since its beginning in 1987: the first single lung transplant in the world to treat pulmonary hypertension, the first lung transplant in North America to treat emphysema and the first heart and double-lung transplant in San Antonio. In 2020, we also performed the first double-lung transplant in South Texas for a patient whose organs failed following infection from COVID-19. Today, he is doing great!
Our survival rate, higher than the national average, is exceptional because of our team’s deep experience and their pursuit of research to provide the latest therapies. They also have a passionate commitment to offer high-quality respiratory care before and after surgery to ensure the patient has the best chance of recovery.
It’s that prompt care for severe lung problems that Dr. Holly Keyt wants to emphasize as the team honors its innovative practitioners and transplant survivors. Keyt is the medical director for the lung transplant program at University Health Transplant Institute and the Malú and Carlos Alvarez Distinguished Professor in Transplant Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. As a pulmonologist who treats many respiratory illnesses, Keyt sees patients who could lead full lives without transplantation if they would just seek medical care early.
“They may just think they are just a little overweight or out of shape, but when people are struggling to breathe it could be something else, and they need medical attention,” Keyt said.
At our Friday event, Keyt will discuss the warning signs that should prompt individuals to seek medical care, and why some lung conditions are misdiagnosed or not detected. Early treatment, which may include effective new medications, can eliminate the need for a transplant. If a transplant is needed, having expert respiratory help as soon as possible puts a patient in the best condition for recovering from surgery.
With lung transplantation, experience counts. Early detection counts, too.
Contact us to arrange interviews with Dr. Keyt and lung survivors before the Friday event.
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WHAT: |
800th lung transplant event recognizing milestones, survivors and reasons respiratory symptoms should prompt early treatment. |
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WHO: |
The transplant team, lung transplant survivors and Dr. Holly Keyt. Keyt is the medical director for lung transplant at University Health Transplant Institute and a professor in transplant medicine at UT Health San Antonio. |
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WHEN: |
Friday, Sept. 13, 3-5:30 p.m. Interviews available before the event. |
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WHERE: |
University Health Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 4502 Medical Dr., Judy & Jim Adams Conference Center. Parking in adjacent Visitors Garage. |
