NEOMED Alumnus Plays Key Role in Historic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic

Francis (“Frank”) Papay, M.D. (’84), chairman of the Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, successfully co-directed a surgical team in the hospital’s first total face transplant. The procedure was completed on a 21-year old woman who had suffered severe damage from a gunshot wound and was the youngest in the U.S. to receive a face transplant, according to the Clinic.

Together with Maria Siemionow, M.D., Dr. Papay oversaw a large group of surgeons. Also involved on the transplant team was a team of specialists, including NEOMED alumnus Eric Kodish, M.D. (’86), representing areas ranging from dentistry to bioethics to immunology.

In 2008, the Cleveland Clinic was the first U.S. hospital to perform a face transplant. During the 31-hour surgery in May, 100 percent of the patient’s facial tissue was replaced, making this the Clinic’s first total face transplant.  In July, the Clinic released a statement from the patient, reporting on the transplant.

Read more in Crain’s Cleveland Business’ recent article.