Luis Nunez and his wife Maria celebrate his new life. Luis was the recipient of the 400th liver transplanted at Vanderbilt. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Center celebrates 400th liver transplant
From left, Dr. Ravi Chari, Dr. Will Chapman, and April Clements, RN and liver transplant coordinator, talk with Maria and Luis Nunez at a clinic appointment this week. Luis Nunez was Vanderbilt's 400th liver transplant patient, and Drs. Chari and Chapman were the surgeons. (photo by Dana Johnson)
On Jan. 7, Luis Nunez was too weak to celebrate his 46th birthday. But still he made a wish.
Four days later, his wish was granted. He received the best gift ever—a second chance at life.
But there was more to celebrate. On Jan. 11, he also became Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s 400th liver transplant.
“I had no idea,” Nunez said. “I was very surprised. I was just happy to have my life back. Just nine hours after receiving my liver, I felt like a new person. It was amazing.”
Nunez and his wife Maria traveled more than 600 miles from their home in Ocala, Fla., on Jan. 9 after receiving notice that a donor liver was available. But once they arrived, they received the news that the liver was not viable. Luckily, another liver became available 24 hours later.
Nunez, who was diagnosed with Hepatitis C nearly four years ago, says he has a lot of educating to do when he returns home.
“I am getting a second chance and can try to make up for what I did to my first liver,” he said. “I can teach people about taking care of themselves, staying away from drugs and alcohol and the goodness of donation.
“I have done a complete about-face. I can help the youth from my experience. Before needing a liver, I was ignorant about donating. But now, I’m glad I will be busy telling others about what they can do to help.”
Dr. Ravi S. Chari, associate professor of Surgery and Cancer Biology, was the surgeon who performed Nunez’ transplant. Dr. William C. Chapman, associate professor of Surgery, assisted in the surgery.
“We knew we were getting close to a milestone, but we were not sure which transplant was going to be the one,” Chari said of the more than dozen transplants performed in a two-week period.
“One of the most important things about transplantation is the awareness of organ donation within the community,” Chari said. “When you look at ways of impacting lives, it’s through people like Mr. Nunez because he takes it back to the community.”
The first liver transplant was performed at Vanderbilt in 1991. In 1998, the Transplant Center celebrated the 200th liver transplant.