Howell Graham, who received a lung transplant at UNC Hospitals, is now the longest-surviving lung transplant patient in the United States. He talks about his transplant, the first for a cystic fibrosis patient at UNC, and his appreciation for the better life he received with his new lungs. Thomas M. Egan, M.D., M.Sc., was Graham’s transplant surgeon.

Bryan Parker after his lung transplant surgery. (Courtesy of WLOS-TV in Asheville) Dr. Jason Long talks about the transplant surgery. Nov. 7, 2016 In September, Bryan Parker received a life-saving double lung transplant at UNC Hospitals. Parker, 30, of Asheville, was born with cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that affects the lungs and other organs … Read more

  Sept. 1, 2016 Last fall, Charles Records’ chest felt pinched when he tried to breathe. He couldn’t walk from room to room in his house without leaning on his wife to rest every few steps. His doctor in Fayetteville found that he had aortic valve stenosis, a life-threatening heart problem, and sent him to … Read more

Tiffany Christensen Thomas M. Egan, M.D. Patients and doctors work together to get the best results for recovery from illnesses. A story from UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Now” features interviews with UNC cardiothoracic surgon Thomas Egan and a former patient of his, two-time lung transplant recipient Tiffany Christensen, who now uses her experience as a patient … Read more

  Samiya Hicks, now 4, practices ballet. One year after her transplant surgery, Samiya and her mom participated in the radiothon that raises money for the NC Children’s Hospital. Nov. 25, 2014 Born with a congenital heart defect, Samiya Hicks was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at just 4 months old. Her only hope of … Read more

  Michael R. Mill, M.D. Maryam, an 8-year-old girl from Afghanistan, underwent heart surgery at UNC Hospitals on Tuesday, July 9, and came through it well, her surgeon, Michael R. Mill, M.D., said. (Update: Maryam went home from the hospital to her host family’s home in Raeford on Tuesday, July 16.) Dr. Mill corrected a … Read more

Brian Ainsley received a VAD before getting a new heart. (Photo from UNC Health Care) UNC has become a leader in use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) to treat patients with heart failure. A VAD is a mechanical circulatory device that provides continuous blood flow, replacing the function of a failing heart. UNC heart surgeon … Read more

  Mary Scercy, facing camera, hugs a member of her lung donor’s family. A double-lung transplant at UNC in March 2010 gave Mary Scercy of Lincoln County, N.C., woman a second chance at life, allowing her to witness the birth of her first granddaughter, attend her son’s wedding and to meet the lung donor’s family … Read more