Historical review of solid organ transplantation

One of the most remarkable achievements in modern medicine has been the ability to replace the failing organs of one individual with those from another. Over the last 60 years, solid organ transplantation has evolved from an experimental concept to a standard of care with increasing clinical efficacy. The collaborative effort across multiple disciplines brought transplantation from the laboratory into hospitals where it has transformed the lives of thousands. Today over 100,000 individuals await a lifesaving organ transplant with an ever-widening gap between the supply of suitable organs and demand for them. While the field works to address these challenges, it is important to recognize the pioneers who have led the journey.