Monday, March 17, 2008

Lung transplant pioneer to visit Pembroke

From The Daily Observer in Ontario, Canada:

Pembroke and area residents will have the opportunity to meet a surgeon who, in 1983, assisted in the first successful lung transplant in the world.

Dr. Thomas Todd will be at the Wesley United Church Fellowship Hall on Thursday, March 27, for a luncheon and book signing at noon.

In 1983, Dr. Todd was 38, and the youngest member of a team of surgeons at the Toronto General Hospital. This group of innovators established the legacy of thoracic surgery and lung transplantation that earned the hospital a reputation as one of the world's leading transplant and research centers.

Dr. Todd has written about his experience in his book, Breathless: A Transplant Surgeon's Journal. In the book he writes of the drama of donor runs - often accompanied by the bells and whistles of police escorts.

This personal account also chronicles the difficulties of early procedures, and the improvements that occurred over time.

Tickets for the luncheon are available Algonquin College, Room 214; at Turbo Graphics, the Pembroke Mall office, and Fraser's Flowers.

Dr. Todd will be donating the proceeds of his book sales to Algonquin College for a bursary for students. After the luncheon, he will visit the college as a guest lecturer for nursing students. He will also be at a reception with local health care professionals later in the afternoon.

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