LLU School of Medicine honors Dr. Leonard Bailey’s contributions to infant heart transplant field

Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Medicine presented a Lifetime Service Award to alumnus Leonard Bailey, MD, during the commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 27.

Bailey, an iconic surgeon, was recognized for his four decades of leadership and research in infant heart transplantation.Bailey’s groundbreaking work began early in his career when he confronted the disturbing reality that existing reconstructive surgical procedures were inadequate for babies born with certain complex congenital heart diseases.

In 1984, Bailey made medical history when he transplanted a baboon heart into the infant known as “Baby Fae.” Although she died twenty-one days later, this pioneering endeavor paved the way by November 1985 for the first successful human-to-human heart transplantation in 4-day-old “Baby Moses.” Bailey went on to transplant hearts in 376 infants and actively participate in the evolution of the field of heart transplantation — making possible long-term survival for infants and children with heart problems.
“Since Leonard Bailey’s breakthrough procedure, thousands of children’s lives worldwide have been saved because of infant heart transplantation,” said Ronald Carter, University provost, during the award presentation. “Central to the extraordinary events that captured the attention of the world and made medical history was Leonard Bailey.

Bailey’s lifesaving contributions in the field have transformed Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital into the world’s leading pediatric heart transplant center.

Daniel Udrea, senior class president, also paid tribute to Bailey during his remarks.

“Dr. Bailey, you have inspired the careers of many surgeons among this class,” Udrea said. “And even among those who did not choose surgery, your mentorship and compassionate whole person care have impressed the lives of countless physicians and thousands of patients.”

In addition to Bailey, the University honored the academic excellence of a new generation of 189 physicians and medical researchers who have completed this phase of their academic journey.

About Loma Linda University Health

Loma Linda University Health includes Loma Linda University’s eight professional schools, Loma Linda University Medical Center’s six hospitals and more than 1,000 faculty physicians located in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Established in 1905, Loma Linda University Health is a global leader in education, research and clinical care. It offers over 100 academic programs and provides quality health care to over 40,000 inpatients and 1.5 million outpatients each year. A Seventh-day Adventist organization, Loma Linda University Health is a faith-based health system with a mission “to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”