LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (WHAS11)- Jewish Hospital is canceling its plans to suspend its heart transplant program.
Kentucky One Health and the University of Louisville announced it was suspending the program in July because of a significant drop in procedures.
The decision comes one week after UofL announced it was taking over the hospitals.
UofL Health will assume leadership over Jewish Hospital, including its Certificate of Need for the transplant program on Nov.1.
“UofL has assured us it is committed to the heart transplant program,” said Deborah Lee-Eddie, Interim CEO, KentuckyOne Health Louisville Market. “As part of the transition planning, UofL is working on strategies to increase volume for the heart transplant program.”
Ken Dulnuan, MD, a cardiologist with University of Louisville Physicians, has been appointed as the medical director for the program.
“The heart transplant program is simply too important for our university, our community and the patients who are depending on this life-saving procedure,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “We thank KentuckyOne for working with us to maintain the program. We are taking steps to shore up our efforts, and very soon we will have a plan in place to ensure the viability of the program for the future.”
Heart transplantation has been a collaborative program of both Jewish Hospital and UofL for more than 35 years. The first heart transplant in Kentucky took place on Aug. 24, 1984, at Jewish Hospital. Last year KentuckyOne and UofL celebrated a major milestone after the 500th heart was transplanted.
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