ORLANDO, Fla., March 23, 2010 - Florida Hospital is launching the only heart transplant program in Central Florida.  With the addition of two world class physicians to the Florida Hospital team, the first heart transplant in Central Florida is rapidly approaching.  Cardiologist Dr. Barbara Czerska and Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Lawrence McBride have joined the Florida Hospital Transplant Center to lead the heart transplant program at Florida Hospital.

“We are now on the fast track to performing our area’s first heart transplant,” said Dr. McBride.  “Having a world class program at Florida Hospital will allow the patient to remain with their family and friends in their community while they undergo their heart transplant.”

It is important for the Central Florida community to have a heart transplant program because it enables patients requiring a heart transplant to have that surgery performed close to home, so they don’t have to commute long distances to be close to heart transplant experts.  Being close to the transplant center also allows patients to be nearby during the extended recovery process.

For more than 40 years the Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute has cared for thousands of cardiology patients.  Each year more than 100 Florida Hospital cardiologists treat nearly 35,000 patients suffering from chest pain and cardiovascular surgeons perform 1,600 cardiac procedures.

The Florida Hospital Transplant Center performed Central Florida’s first kidney transplant  more than 35 years ago and is the area’s only transplant facility replacing multiple organs; the pancreas, the liver, the kidneys and now the heart.  The legacy of the Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute and the Florida Hospital Transplant Center, make it possible for Florida Hospital to be the location of the first heart transplant performed in Central Florida.

Cardiologist Dr. Barbara Czerska will be supporting Dr. McBride and preparing potential transplant patients to receive a heart when it becomes available.

“This type of work takes a team effort,” said Dr. Czerska.  “My role in this program is to evaluate and prepare patients that can benefit the best from receiving an organ. Our heart transplant team will deliver the best care not only to patients waiting for heart transplants, but also after their transplantation.”

Not only is offering heart transplant important to Central Floridians, it is part of becoming a medical destination.