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James Eason, MD, Confirms Liver Transplant for Steve Jobs Performed at

Methodist University Hospital/University of Tennessee Health Science

 Center Transplant Institute

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Memphis, Tenn. (June 24, 2009) – James D. Eason, MD, professor of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and program director of the Methodist University Hospital (MUH) Transplant Institute, has confirmed, with the patient’s permission, that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant at the MUH Transplant Institute, which operates in partnership with UT Health Science Center.

“Mr. Jobs underwent a complete transplant evaluation and was listed for transplantation for an approved indication in accordance with the Transplant Institute policies and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policies,” Dr. Eason said.  “He received a liver transplant because he was the patient with the highest MELD score (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) of his blood type and, therefore, the sickest patient on the waiting list at the time a donor organ became available.  Mr. Jobs is now recovering well and has an excellent prognosis.”

Dr. Eason stated, “The Methodist University Hospital/University of Tennessee Transplant Institute performed 120 liver transplants in 2008 making it one of the ten largest liver transplant centers in the United States.  We provide transplants to patients regardless of race, sex, age, financial status, or place of residence.”

He noted, “Our one -year patient and graft survival rates are among the best in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs’ choice of transplant centers.  We respect and protect every patient’s private health information and cannot reveal any further information on the specifics of Mr. Jobs’ case.”

“Our Transplant Institute is the only abdominal transplant program in the Mid-South performing kidney, pancreas and liver transplants,” stated Steve J. Schwab, MD, executive dean of the UTHSC College of Medicine.  “We are proud to be partners in this outstanding program.”

The Transplant Institute, inside Methodist University Hospital (MUH), is a partnership program with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.  Methodist assumed management of UT Bowld Hospital and its transplant program in November 2002.  Almost two years later, the UT Bowld Transplant Program moved to MUH, and the MUH Transplant Institute was formed.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of education, research, clinical care and public service, all in support of a single goal: to improve the health of Tennesseans.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  UTHSC has additional colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy plus an Allied Health Sciences unit in Knoxville, as well as a College of Medicine campus in Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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