Liver Transplant in Memphis: Jobs’ was Sickest Patient on Waiting List

Steve Jobs’ liver transplant was performed at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN. Here is a statement from the hospital

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 MethodistUniversity Hospital Transplant Institute in partnership with theUniversity 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 thetime a donor organ became available. Mr. Jobs is now recovering welland has an excellent prognosis.

The Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute performed 120liver transplants in 2008 making it one of the ten largest livertransplant centers in the United States. We provide transplants topatients regardless of race, sex, age, financial status, or place ofresidence. Our one year patient and graft survival rates are among thebest in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs’s choice oftransplant centers. We respect and protect every patient’s privatehealth information and cannot reveal any further information on thespecifics of Mr. Jobs’s case.

Posted: June 23, 2009 For more information please contact: Ruth Ann Hale