Thomas Starzl (organ transplant pioneer)

Thomas Starzl was a pioneering surgeon credited with transforming organ transplantation into a viable medical treatment. He performed the first successful liver transplant in 1963 and developed immunosuppressive medications that prevent organ rejection, greatly increasing transplant success rates. His work expanded possibilities for patients with end-stage organ failure, saving countless lives. Starzl’s research and surgical innovations laid the foundation for modern transplantation medicine, making organ transplants more routine and accessible worldwide.