| October 23, 2003 | |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION: | Linda McGinity Jackson or
Barbara Keane Mackovic |
MEDIA ADVISORY
Research!Louisville Week features World’s First
Successful Hand Transplant Recipient and World’s Second AbioCor
Heart Family Member as Keynote Speakers —
Louisville Medical Center Research Awards to be presented
| Who: | 1) Matthew Scott, the world’s first successful hand transplant
recipient 2) Patti Christerson Pryor, daughter of Tom Christerson, the world’s second AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart patient 3) Martin Klapheke, M.D., Jewish Hospital/University of Louisville transplant psychiatrist |
| What: | Dr. Klapheke will moderate the keynote presentation/discussion, “The Human Side of Research,” with Scott and Pryor who will present their perspectives of the innovative hand and heart experimental procedures. The keynote presentation will precede the eighth annual Research!Louisville Awards Ceremony where medical researchers from the Louisville Medical Center will receive trophies, certificates and cash awards. |
| When: | Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Winning Research Posters Displayed 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Keynote Presentation – Matt Scott, Patti Pryor and Martin Klapheke, M.D. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony |
| Where: | Jewish Hospital’s Heart and Lung Center Conference Center (CC) 201 Abraham Flexner Way, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Why: | The Research!Louisville abstract and poster competition is being held Nov.3-5. More than 200 nurse, student, undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, fellow, resident and faculty medical researchers will compete throughout the week. Winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony. Medical abstract and posters will be judged on merit and scientific quality. |
| Background: | The Louisville Medical Center generates nearly $5 billion in economic
activity each year with medical research contributing profoundly to the Louisville economy and quality of heath care available in this region. To recognize medical research efforts and increase the public’s awareness of the direct benefits of medical research to their daily lives, the Jewish Hospital Foundation is sponsoring the eighth annual Research!Louisville Awards Ceremony. Research!Louisville is a weeklong celebration of research in the Louisville Medical Center. This year’s events run from Nov. 3-7 and include presentations specifically geared to inform the public about the most recent advances in treatments and procedures — some of them discovered and developed right here in the Louisville Medical Center. Matthew Scott received his new left hand during a surgical procedure performed by a team of hand surgeons, led by Warren C. Breidenbach, M.D., from Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center and UofL on January 24, 1999. The hand transplant program was developed by a partnership of physicians and researchers at Jewish Hospital, UofL, and Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center. The pioneering procedure is expected to greatly impact the future of transplantation and reconstructive surgery. A Jewish Hospital/UofL team, led by surgeons Laman Gray, M.D., and Rob Dowling, M.D., implanted the world’s second AbioCor Heart in Tom Christerson on September 13, 2001. He was the first artificial heart patient to return home. Christerson lived with his heart for 17 months before he died on February 7, 2003. The team also performed the world’s first AbioCor Heart implant. Research!Louisville is jointly sponsored by the Jewish Hospital Foundation, Norton Healthcare, the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center and UofL Health Care. Photo and interview opportunities available. Please note: Comedian Jerry Lewis was previously scheduled to
speak at this event. Lewis has cancelled all appearances through
the end of the year to concentrate on his health. |