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Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat all star and kidney transplant recipient, is the new spokesman for the Miami Transplant Institute at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The announcement was made at a news conference this morning on the medical campus in Miami attended by Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., dean of the Miller School, Marvin O’Quinn, CEO of Jackson Memorial Hospital, Andreas Tzakis, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Miami Transplant Institute, and Mourning. “I know firsthand that transplantation saves lives and I want to lend my voice and influence to build the Miami Transplant Institute into a world leader in clinical care and research,” said Mourning, who congratulated the institute for the 7,000 kidney transplants it has performed. “I am a huge believer in the work done by Dr. Tzakis and I share his vision for the future. Together as a team, we can have a championship in the medical world.”

Mourning was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, a rare genetic kidney disease, during a routine pre-season Miami Heat team physical in September 2000. After battling the disease with medications for three years, he finally underwent a successful kidney transplant in December 2003. Mourning eventually returned to professional basketball and with his Miami Heat teammates won the 2006 NBA Championship. He also played on the gold medal U.S.A. Olympic basketball team in 2000, shortly before his diagnosis.

At the news conference, Mourning discussed the obstacles he faced following his transplant surgery, and how it inspired him to lend his support to children and families. “It was a big hurdle coming back to basketball while taking my medication,” said Mourning. “I was struggling with trying to run up and down the court and push around 200- to 300-pound guys, so I can imagine what it must feel like for a child.”

He also talked about how he was caught off guard by the high cost of anti-rejection medications, which inspired him to create Zo’s Fund for Life, a nonprofit that provides research, education, and testing to fight kidney disease.

"Alonzo Mourning is a true champion, and the Miami Transplant Institute could not have a better person on its team to lead the charge for state-of-the-art care for our patients, and breakthrough research that could one day eliminate the need for lifelong anti-rejection drugs,” said Dean Goldschmidt. “The level of awareness he will bring to transplantation will play a key role in getting more people to consider becoming an organ donor."

"The Miami Transplant Institute is a joint program between Jackson and UM, and it builds on our already rich history together in transplantation,” said O’Quinn. “For patients in need of a transplant, the institute offers the hope of life. I think it’s safe to say that when someone in South Florida is in need of a transplant, they know to come here for the best care. Under the direction of Dr. Tzakis, we are able to offer the latest techniques, medications and support services to our patients to help them through the life-saving and life-changing process."

Jackson Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in South Florida to perform every type of solid organ transplant. Started in 1979, the transplant program has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive transplant centers anywhere in the world. Led by Dr. Tzakis, a pioneering surgeon in the field of transplantation, the Miami Transplant Institute performs more than 500 procedures every year. The surgeons perform dozens of kidney, liver, heart and pancreas transplants, as well as more than half of the world’s complex multivisceral transplants. The institute is ranked fifth in the nation among top transplant programs.

September 25, 2008
Media Contact
Lisa Worley
305-243-5184
lworley2@med.miami.edu

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