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Thomas Egan, M.D., M.Sc.

Dr. Brian Goldstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at UNC Hospitals, recently thanked staff, of UNC Hospitals for their work with “Three Good Things” about UNC Hospitals that have been mentioned by patients, students, residents and financial donors. In one of the items, Dr. Thomas Egan’s lung transplant research in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery was praised by John Doherty, whose sister Cornelia received a lung transplant at UNC in the 1990s:

  • John Doherty on Dr. Thomas Egan: “There are several reasons why I have been supporting Dr. Egan’s work and continue to do so. My sister was getting near the end of her rope and needed a lung transplant or else she would not survive. Mass General was not willing to list Cornelia as a candidate because, as I recall, she had a bacteria (?) in her lungs which some CF patients get, so Mass General felt that was sufficient reason to reject her. Dr. Egan was aware of her condition, but was still willing to list her at UNC. He knew that once her old lungs were gone so was the bacteria. He saw the possibilities rather than the risks. One can argue that my sister’s transplant was not very successful because she only lived six months after the operation, but I argue it was successful because Cornelia was back to her old vibrant self and was embracing life again. It was difficult seeing Cornelia in great distress, slowly dying, tethered to an oxygen tank, and knowing that is not how she wanted to spend what little time she had left. Having the new lungs gave her hope and happiness, thanks to Dr. Egan.

    Although I do not understand the science of Dr. Egan’s research and never will, I do know that if successful it will help many more patients in need of lungs get their lives back, just like Cornelia. Just as important as the research is Dr. Egan himself. Over the years it has been a great pleasure and honor to know the good doctor and know that in order for the research to be done it has to be driven by somebody like Dr. Egan. It is my hope and belief that his intelligence, dedication, hard work and passion will be the driving force that makes this important work successful.

Read the “Three Good Things” article (from UNC Health Care’s “Vital Signs”) here.