INDUSTRY MILESTONE

hen Jose Suarez moved to Dallas in the mid-80s , he worked as a highrise window washer . He remembers washing the windows at Baylor University Medical Center and wondering what it was like inside the big Dallas hospital . This summer , Jose got a firsthand look at what happens behind those windows when he received a life-changing kidney transplant .

“ I had been mentally preparing for the operation since I started dialysis more than six years ago ,” Jose said . “ Then suddenly I get called . My transplant coordinator is on the phone and says , ‘ Where are you ?’ I tell him , ‘ I ’ m on my way home from downtown Dallas .’ He tells me to turn around and head back downtown . The next morning , I go into surgery , and now I have a new kidney !”

Jose ’ s surgery marked the 10,000th organ transplanted at Baylor Scott & White Annette C . and Harold C . Simmons Transplant Institute at Baylor Dallas . This milestone comes 37 years after the first solid organ transplant in 1984 and makes this program the first and only transplant program in Texas to surpass

10,000 transplanted organs .

According to the United Network of Organ Sharing , less than 10 % of adult transplant centers in the U . S . have reached this milestone .

“ This achievement exemplifies the work and passion of our entire transplant team ,” said Giuliano Testa , MD , chairman of the transplant institute and chief of abdominal transplant at Baylor Dallas . “ Our goal is to restore meaningful life through organ transplantation , and Mr . Suarez is a perfect example of that success .”

Generous donors have given more than $ 35 million to help advance transplant initiatives at Baylor Dallas . For information on how you can support these efforts , contact Melissa Dalton at 214.820.2705 or Melissa . Dalton @ BSWHealth . org .

As we come to the end of another year , it ’ s natural to reflect on the accomplishments , challenges , highs and lows that occurred over the previous 12 months — a second chance to remember and celebrate important milestones that were reached .

Milestones are significant markers in life that are often the result of continued commitment and dedicated progress to change — babies learning to walk ; students earning their degrees ; workers reaching retirement . Throughout life , these are achieved through hard work , dedication and commitment .

These types of momentous events and milestones also happen regularly at Baylor Scott & White . The team at Baylor Dallas recently completed their 10,000th organ transplant — a milestone reached by less than 10 % of adult transplant centers in the country . What was once revolutionary has become the norm at the globally recognized Baylor Scott & White Annette C . and Harold C . Simmons Transplant Institute . And under the leadership of Dr . Giuliano Testa , the team continues pioneering new frontiers with a significant focus on women through our uterine transplant program .

In his nearly 50 years as an OB-GYN at Baylor Dallas , Dr . Robert Gunby has delivered more than 7,000 babies . Take a moment to think about all these lives he helped bring into the world — it ’ s hard to comprehend . While 50 years is a milestone in and of itself , Dr . Gunby has been unwavering in his commitment to care for women and babies and was an instrumental member of the uterine transplant team , delivering all 14 babies born through this innovative program .

This fall , we culminated our 22nd year of Celebrating Women with more than

$ 37 million raised for the fight against breast cancer . These milestones would not have been possible without the passion , leadership and steadfast support of Lindalyn Adams . She was instrumental in advancing care for women diagnosed with this disease and was an invaluable member of our Dallas community . Her passing this fall provides us with a meaningful opportunity to honor her legacy through the Lindalyn B . Adams Celebrating Women Endowment , which will continue her impact and advance milestones for women battling breast cancer for many years to come .

It is especially rewarding to be granted space in The Compass to share news about the great things happening in our system — it is truly inspirational to see the team at work and making a difference on so many fronts .

Norm Bagwell Chair , Board of Directors Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation

To learn more about any Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation initiative or to opt out of these communications , contact the Foundation at 214.820.3136 or email DallasFoundation @ BSWHealth . org . Write to us at 3600 Gaston Avenue , Barnett Tower Suite 100 , Dallas , TX 75246-1800 .

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