Adventist Surgeon Honored as Pioneer in Saving Babies at Loma Linda University

11 June 2018  |  Loma Linda University (LLU) presented a Lifetime Service Award to School of Medicine alumnus Dr. Leonard Bailey during the commencement ceremony on May 27. The iconic Adventist surgeon was recognized for his four decades of leadership and research with infant heart transplants.

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 21 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, provost of LLU, 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 LLU Children’s Hospital into the world’s leading pediatric heart transplant center. “Dr. Bailey, you have inspired the careers of many surgeons among this class,” said, Daniel Udrea, senior class president. “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.”

The 2018 class of 189 physicians and medical researchers who have completed this phase of their academic journey were presented during the commencement event. The institution is affiliated with the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination and its graduates serve in many nations around the world.