ABIOCOR RECIPIENT AND HEART SURGEONS
STEPPING OUT FOR LUNCH AT Z'S
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tom Christerson,
the world's second recipient and longest living AbioCor™
Implantable Replacement Heart patient will enjoy lunch with his
physicians, University of Louisville surgeons Laman Gray, M.D.
and Rob Dowling, M.D., Wednesday. The luncheon is scheduled from
1 - 2:30 p.m. at Z's Oyster Bar & Steak House located at 101
Whittington Parkway.
Also joining Christerson and his physicians
is Governor Paul Patton. Christerson looks forward to seeing the
Governor again. Their first meeting came just 12 days following
Christerson's landmark procedure at Jewish Hospital in September.
"I am sure he will be amazed at how far I have come since
his last visit," said Chisterson. Christerson continues to
attend physical therapy at Frazier Rehab Institute to gain strength
and has enjoyed visiting other sites around Louisville.
Christerson will be available to answer
questions from the media along with Drs. Gray and Dowling who
will give an update on his progress.
Christerson received his artificial
heart September 13, 2001, in a landmark surgery at Jewish Hospital
performed by doctors Gray and Dowling. Christerson was released
from the hospital March 20, and has been staying at The Inn at
Jewish Hospital. The AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart is
manufactured by ABIOMED, Inc., of Danvers, Mass.
Jewish Hospital is among the top ten
cardiac centers in the United States and, along with the UofL,
is dedicated to excellence, research and education. University
of Louisville surgeons at Jewish Hospital have performed many
heart care "firsts," including Kentucky's first heart
transplant, the world's first heart transplant following the use
of a Thoratec bi-ventricular assist device, the world's first
endoscopic saphenous vein harvest and the first ventricular remodeling
in the region.
Photo and interview opportunity
available.
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