More than 5,000 lives touched by OHSU Kidney Transplant Program

Oregon man shares how OHSU’s 60-year-old transplant program saved his life

By Franny White July 24, 2019 Portland, Oregon

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Todd Ainsworth, a retired attorney and administrative law judge from Sunriver, had a heart and kidney transplant in 2011. The new organs enabled Ainsworth to complete everyday tasks again, such as climbing stairs, and he returned to work as an administrative law judge six months after the transplant. (Photo courtesy of Todd Ainsworth)

Todd Ainsworth

Todd Ainsworth, a retired attorney and administrative law judge from Sunriver, had a heart and kidney transplant in 2011. The new organs enabled Ainsworth to complete everyday tasks again, such as climbing stairs. He returned to work as an administrative law judge six months after the transplant, and was also able to ski Mount Bachelor about 50 times winter following his surgeries. (Photo courtesy of Todd Ainsworth)

First kidney transplant at OHSU

Reporters interview University of Oregon Medical School staff in 1959 after performing the world's 18th successful kidney transplant. (OHSU)

First kidney transplant at OHSU

OHSU - then the University of Oregon Medical School - performed the world's 18th successful kidney transplant on Oct. 9, 1959. Twelve-year-old Charlotte Hamilton donated one of her kidneys to her twin sister Charlene Hamilton. The twins are shown here recuperating from their surgeries. (OHSU)

First kidney transplant at OHSU

2019 transplant picnic

OHSU held the annual transplant picnic on July 20, 2019, marking the 60th anniversary of the hospital's kidney transplant program. (Bitna Chung Photography)