Heart pump offers Eugene man ‘complete turnaround’

OHSU has implanted six ventricular assist devices since January 2020

By Franny White June 09, 2020 Portland, Oregon

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Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon at his home in May 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (Photo courtesy Dennis Surmon)

(Photo courtesy Dennis Surmon)

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon at his home in May 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (Photo courtesy Dennis Surmon)

(Photo courtesy Dennis Surmon)

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon at his home in May 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (Photo courtesy Dennis Surmon)

(Photo courtesy Dennis Surmon)

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Dennis Surmon of Eugene, Oregon has a follow-up appointment with Johannes Steiner, M.D., at OHSU on May 26, 2020. Surmon was the first OHSU patient to receive a heart pump after the university's Heart Failure and Transplant Program reactivated in August 2019. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Johannes Steiner, M.D.

Johannes Steiner, M.D., sees Dennis Surmon, May 26, 2020 at OHSU. Steiner is an assistant professor of medicine (cardiovascular medicine) in the OHSU School of Medicine and the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institutes medical director of mechanical circulatory support.(OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Johannes Steiner, M.D.

Johannes Steiner, M.D., sees Dennis Surmon, May 26, 2020 at OHSU. Steiner is an assistant professor of medicine (cardiovascular medicine) in the OHSU School of Medicine and the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institutes medical director of mechanical circulatory support.(OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff