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BOB TOOLS, ABIOCOR PATIENT, CONTINUES PROGRESS

Recovery highlighted by surprise visitors

(LOUISVILLE, KY) - The University of Louisville surgeons who implanted an AbioCor replacement heart device at Jewish Hospital July 2 announced today that the patient, Bob Tools, has continued to improve and was able to be transferred out of the intensive care unit (ICU) this week. Drs. Laman Gray and Rob Dowling report that Mr. Tools' condition has improved to the point that ICU care is no longer necessary. He was moved to the transitional monitoring unit (TMU) on Thursday.

"While we continue to have ups and downs, Bob's overall recovery is remarkable," Gray explained. "Looking at him today, you would never know how gravely ill he was just 10 weeks ago."

"Bob is blessed with a tremendous fighting spirit and supportive family that are serving him well through his recovery," Dowling added. "It's wonderful to see him doing so well."

Thursday morning, September 6, Mr. Tools was visited by some of his fans, The Oak Ridge Boys. While traveling through Louisville, the multi-award winning vocal group visited with Mr. Tools, offered a variety of gifts, and promised to continue to pray for his full recovery. "Duane Allen invited me to go fishing with him on the lake at his home," Tools said. "I think I'll take him up on that."

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Jewish Hospital is among the top 10 cardiac centers in the United States and, along with the University of Louisville, is dedicated to excellence in clinical care, 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.

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