MADION, Wis. (WMTV) –UW Health has achieved important results in supporting patients as the health facility celebrates its 1,000th heart transplant. Only 15% of programs across the country reached the figures, officials said.
The milestone heart transplant went to Courtney Zubski, 30. The Portage County mother also received a lung set during the surgery.
Dr. Yu Xia, a heart and lung transplant surgeon at UW Health, led Courtney's team who performed complex heart and lung transplants.
“Every transplant is life-changing for patients, and their success in recovery inspires us,” he said. “A milestone like this is a great time to celebrate everyone's efforts and reaffirm our commitment to providing the best possible care to our patients.”
The results at the UW Health Transplant Center are attributed to the generosity of donor families, officials said.
“We are honored to witness the life-changing impacts that organ transplants may have on patients and their families,” said Michael Anderson, executive director of UW Organ and Organizational Donations. “We can only serve our patients through the selfless decisions of our donor heroes and their families, encouraging more people to register as donors of organs and tissues.”
Health officials said more than 1,400 Wisconsin people are awaiting organ transplants. They added a single organ donor that can save up to eight lives.
April is the start of Donation Life Month, and officials say they hope Courtney's story will encourage more people to join the state's organ donor register.
The UW Health Transplant Center has transplanted more than 20,000 organs since 1966.
click here Register as a donor for organs, tissues and eyes. click here For more information about donations for daily life.
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