The Implantable Artificial Heart Project

Images

Four generations of Tom Christerson's family gathered for a photo with the newest member. Christerson is holding his great granddaughter Ellen Thomas, named in his honor. From left to right, the baby's mother and Christerson's granddaughter, Kelly, stands with her mother, Patti Pryor.
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Image: Tom Christerson receives a haircut
Tom Christerson, the world's second recipient of the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart, receives a haircut from his barber, Raymond Ellison, during a home outing to Central City, Ky., April 1.
(Photo courtesy of Mark Stone, Times-Argus Newspaper)
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image: Tom Christerson
Tom Christerson enjoyed a lobster dinner during a belated anniversary celebration with family and friends in Dr. Gray and Dr. Dowling's conference room at Jewish Hospital. Tom and his wife Ouida "Speedy"Christerson were married for 54 years in October. They decided to wait and celebrate when Tom was feeling better.
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image: Tom Christerson
After dinner, Tom made a brief speech, thanking everyone for coming and inviting them back for a visit.
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Rob Dowling, M.D., explains the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart to Kentucky Governor Paul Patton during a visit to Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 25. Laman Gray, M.D., and Dr. Dowling, surgeons with the University of Louisville, performed the world's first and second AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart procedure at Jewish Hospital. Skipper Martin, center, the governor's chief of staff, accompanied Governor Patton during the visit.
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Image: Tom Christerson
Addressing the Media ? Tom Christerson, center, answers questions during a March 12 press conference at Jewish Hospital. University of Louisville surgeons Laman Gray, M.D., left, and Rob Dowling, M.D., right, report that Christerson is continuing to recover well and is expected to depart the hospital soon. (Photo by Robert Burge for Jewish Hospital)
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image: Tom Christerson
Artificial heart recipient Tom Christerson and his wife, Ouida, nicknamed, "Speedy," were guests on the University of Louisville basketball coach's sports program -- The Rick Pitino Show, Feb. 24. Christerson was also honored as the "Hero of the Game" during UofL Cardinals' final home basketball game at Freedom Hall in Louisville, March 2. (Photo by Linda McGinity Jackson for Jewish Hospital)
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A University of Louisville surgical team performs the world's second implant of the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart at Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 13.
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From left to right, the world's second recipient of the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart, Tom Christerson, Rob Dowling, M.D., Laman Gray, M.D., and Kentucky Governor Paul Patton pose during a visit to Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 25. Drs. Dowling and Gray, surgeons with the University of Louisville, performed the implant procedure on Christerson, Sept. 13.
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University of Louisville surgeons Laman Gray, M.D., left, and Rob Dowling, M.D., right, prepare the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart for implant during the world's second procedure at Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 13. Assisting center is Linda Simonis, RNFA.
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Technicians prepare the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart for implant during the Sept. 13 procedure on patient Tom Christerson.
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Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, right, meets with the world's first recipient of the AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart, Robert Tools, left, during a visit to Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Ky., Sept. 25. Rob Dowling, M.D., center, along with Laman Gray, M.D., were the University of Louisville surgeons that performed the landmark procedure on July 2.
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©2001 Jewish Hospital, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, ABIOMED, Inc.

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