Thomas Starzl

Thomas Starzl
BillCramer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Thomas Starzl
Birth date	March 11, 1926
Birth place	Le Mars, Iowa
Death date	March 4, 2017
Death place	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nationality	American
Fields	Transplant surgery, Immunology

Thomas Starzl was a renowned American surgeon and researcher who pioneered organ transplantation and developed immunosuppressive therapies. He is best known for performing the first successful human liver transplant at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1963, and later, the first successful kidney transplant from a living donor at the same institution. Starzl's work built upon the discoveries of Joseph Murray and David Hume, and he collaborated with prominent researchers, including Roy Calne and Jean-François Borel. His innovative approaches to organ transplantation have saved countless lives and earned him recognition from esteemed organizations, such as the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine.

● Early Life and Education

Thomas Starzl was born in Le Mars, Iowa, to Roman Catholic parents of Czech descent. He developed an interest in science and medicine at an early age, inspired by his father, a newspaper editor and amateur scientist. Starzl attended Notre Dame University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947, and later, a Master of Science degree in anatomy from Northwestern University in 1950. He then pursued a Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, graduating in 1952. During his time at Northwestern University, Starzl was influenced by prominent figures, including Walter Palmer, a renowned physiologist, and Andrew Conway Ivy, a respected physiologist and educator.

● Career

Starzl began his career as a surgical resident at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where he worked under the guidance of William W. Gabrielli, a prominent surgeon. In 1959, he became an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and later, a full professor in 1964. Starzl's work at the University of Colorado focused on organ transplantation, and he collaborated with researchers from institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh and the Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1980, he joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as a professor of surgery and established the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, which became a leading center for transplant research and education. Starzl's colleagues and collaborators included notable figures, such as Henry Metzger, a prominent immunologist, and John Fung, a respected transplant surgeon.

● Medical Contributions

Starzl's pioneering work in organ transplantation revolutionized the field of surgery and medicine. He developed innovative techniques for liver transplantation, kidney transplantation, and heart transplantation, and introduced the use of cyclosporine as an immunosuppressive agent. Starzl's research also focused on the immunology of transplantation, and he discovered the importance of HLA matching in reducing rejection rates. His work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the American Surgical Association, the Society of University Surgeons, and the International Society of Transplantation. Starzl's contributions to medicine have been compared to those of other pioneering figures, such as Christiaan Barnard, who performed the first human-to-human heart transplant, and Joseph Murray, who developed the first successful kidney transplant technique.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Starzl received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medicine and surgery. He was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2004, the Lasker Award in 2012, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. Starzl was also elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received honorary degrees from institutions such as Harvard University, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge. Starzl's work has been recognized by international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the European Society for Organ Transplantation.

● Personal Life and Legacy

Starzl was married to Barbara Starzl and had three children. He was known for his humility and dedication to his work, and was respected by his colleagues and patients alike. Starzl's legacy extends beyond his medical contributions, as he has inspired generations of surgeons, researchers, and medical students. His work has been recognized by prominent figures, including Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Nelson Mandela. Starzl's story has been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, The Lancet, and Nature Medicine. He passed away on March 4, 2017, at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and discovery in the field of organ transplantation. Category:American surgeons