Methodist University Hospital in Memphis confirms Jobs liver transplant
The Apple CEO’s plane had been spotted in town and rumors swirled for months that he had purchased a home there, as well. Now, we know at least part of the story is true for sure. But, as with all things Steve Jobs, the more we know, the more questions we want answered.
Methodist University Hospital (via News.com) has announced that Steve Jobs did indeed have a liver transplant and that the future’s looking bright.
Here’s the full, unedited text of the Methodist University statement (ie their server’s getting hammered):
James D. Eason, M.D., program director at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute and chief of transplantation confirmed today, with the patient’s permission, that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in partnership with the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
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.
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.
The Methodist University Hospital 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. Our one year patient and graft survival rates are among the best in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs’s 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’s case.
Whispered suspicions…
Of course, there’s one bit that’s going to have people talking—”the sickest patient on the waiting list at the time”—and speculating regardless of what Jobs or Apple have to say, if anything, over the coming days and weeks. The notion that he was, if not nearest death, at the closest to it of those waiting for organ really fleshes out his early January statement that his condition was “more complicated” than originally thought.
That said, until Jobs lives a few years without appearing wane and/or yellow, people will keep questioning and speculating. Simply being aware of how people are looking at and watching in such a situation would be enough to drive all but the thickest skinned individuals to distraction…
What’s your take?
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June 29th, 2009
There is NO cure for pancreatic cancer so how did a terminal patient receive a liver transplant??? Shouldn’t those on the waiting list with a better prognosis be higher on the list than a terminal patient? Money does buy some things I guess!