Cincinnati Patient Received Heart Transplant in 2024
The Christ Hospital completed the surgery after Liz Cook spent one year on the transplant waiting list.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Heart Disease
In 2024, Liz Cook underwent a heart transplant at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. The procedure addressed heart failure resulting from cardiomyopathy, a condition she was diagnosed with at age 9.
Why it matters
The surgery was performed at a specialized program that has reached a significant milestone in local cardiovascular care. Cook had been awaiting a donor heart for one year prior to the procedure.
The Christ Hospital heart transplant program has successfully completed 70 transplants since its inception in 2022. Liz Cook spent one year on the waiting list before receiving her transplant in 2024.
The players
Liz Cook
She is a patient who received a heart transplant in 2024 after living with cardiomyopathy since childhood.
The Christ Hospital
This Cincinnati-based medical institution opened its specialized heart transplant program in 2022.
The details
Medical professionals evaluate donor hearts by testing coronary arteries, valves, and overall heart function to ensure compatibility. Staff utilize a specific matching equation to ensure the donor heart size is appropriate for the recipient's body.
Timeline
Liz Cook was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at age 9 in the 1990s.
Cook began experiencing heart symptoms around 2011.
The Christ Hospital heart transplant program opened in 2022.
Cook was listed for a heart transplant in 2023.
Cook received her heart transplant in 2024.
Health Landscape
The establishment of The Christ Hospital heart transplant program has expanded regional access to complex cardiac care in Cincinnati. This achievement marks a transition from a reliance on outside referral centers to localized life-saving surgery.
Patients with chronic heart conditions now have access to a local transplant program at The Christ Hospital. This reduces the need for long-distance travel and facilitates the complex medical screening required for donor matching.
The takeaway
Advancements in local transplant programs allow patients to receive life-saving care within their own communities. Patients with chronic conditions should discuss surgical eligibility and waiting list requirements with their cardiology team.
Further reading
Learn more about local cardiovascular initiatives by visiting the Heart Disease section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRC.
