KPRC News Remembers Anniversary of Dr. Cooley’s First Heart Transplant

In a news segment honoring the 55th anniversary of Dr. Denton A. Cooley’s first heart transplant, KPRC Channel 2’s health reporter Haley Hernandez highlighted one of the great achievements in cardiac history. Dr. Cooley performed the first successful human heart transplant in the United States on May 3, 1968 — a gift that touched many Houstonians and families around the world.

KPRC toured The Texas Heart Institute’s Wallace D. Wilson Museum and spoke to President and CEO Dr. Joseph G. Rogers about the historic surgery and its significance for the field of cardiac transplantation.

Support Our Research Innovation Fund

When it comes to cardiovascular care, The Texas Heart Institute has always been synonymous with “FIRSTS.” Over the last six decades, our investments in high-risk, high-reward cardiovascular research have improved cardiovascular outcomes and saved countless lives across the globe. Join us in celebrating this milestone. Make a gift of $55 to The Texas Heart Institute Research Innovation Fund TODAY to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the first heart transplant.

The first 55 gifts of $55 or more to the Research Innovation Fund will be matched, doubling your investment in the next “FIRST.” It is hard to imagine the world of cardiovascular health if Dr. Cooley had not made the high-risk, high-reward decision that he did 55 years ago today. Fortunately, because of Dr. Cooley and The Texas Heart Institute, we do not have to!