In a momentous achievement for pediatric heart care, Children’s Hospital completed its first pediatric heart transplant in decades on Sunday, October 6, 2024. This landmark procedure offers a new lease on life for young patients across the state and reaffirms the hospital’s commitment to providing cutting-edge cardiac care close to home.
The journey to this milestone began years ago, when former NFL quarterback Brandon Weeden and his wife, Melanie, envisioned bringing the nation’s top heart specialists to Oklahoma. Driven by their determination to make a difference, the Weedens raised over $1 million to establish the Brandon Weeden Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. Their vision and generosity set the foundation for what would eventually become the state’s first pediatric heart transplant program, allowing Oklahoma’s children to receive world-class heart care without leaving their community.
Today, that vision has come full circle, with Children’s Hospital now standing as the sole provider of pediatric heart transplants in Oklahoma. This major advancement in care was made possible by a team of over 20 specialists, led by pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Harold Burkhart, who performed the transplant with precision and compassion. For many families, the completion of the heart transplant program represents more than just a medical achievement; it means being able to stay close to home during one of the most challenging times in their lives. “With a successful pediatric heart transplant in Oklahoma, this is the final step in ensuring that the children of Oklahoma have access to all cardiac care without having to leave the state,” said pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Harold Burkhart, M.D., CHF Brandon Weeden Chair of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery. The program has the capacity to perform about five transplants annually, ensuring that young patients receive the urgent care they need without leaving their support systems behind.
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