Of all the branches of medicine, transplantation, since its first inception as a simple idea, has aroused some of the most controversy. The issues are tied deeply with ethical and moral concerns often grounded in religious and cultural beliefs and, dare I say, prejudices.

The first physicians and surgeons to begin experimenting with transplantation faced the derision of many, often accused of having “God complexes” and meddling with nature in a manner more suited for science-fiction novels and movies. It is true, many patients could not be saved and many methods were tried and discarded before success was achieved. Thomas Starzl faced this and more in his quest to follow a “hunch.” Dedicating much of his research to the liver, he believed that there was a way to perform the elusive transplant – elusive, as it had never been performed with any organ in any living species to date.

In their attempt to discover the intricacies of the field, Starzl and his team performed the first series of successful kidney transplants in the world. However, the success of the kidney could not be replicated in the liver. Losing a patient is always a source of pain for a surgeon, and eventually the program was stopped. But an inquisitive mind cannot be reined and back to the drawing board they went. Starzl believed in what he was doing, in the possibilities offered by successful liver transplantation, and his successful attempts with dogs gave him the confidence to turn down prestigious positions and dedicate himself to the liver.

His previous failures were, in his own words, “a scar to be removed” and what a fine excision it was! Starzl and his team performed that first successful liver transplant in 1967. A seemingly impassable mountain revealed a pathway – though rocky, it was a route to take and to lay paving stones for those who followed. I was one who followed. I remember my time in Colorado from January 1974-June 1975 studying with Starzl, learning his techniques and the treatments available, and feeling the exhilaration of success and the grave disappointment of a failure. I too chose this path and fought my own battles on my return to Turkey. With Thomas Starzl as my guide and my inspiration, I too fought against my opponents and circumstances to finally succeed, and to give life to those who had lost all hope of one.

The countless lives saved are testament to the miracles borne out of the desire to succeed. Starzl’s achievements did not only benefit those suffering from liver failure, but many other patients requiring transplants of other organs. He taught others, like me, who in turn passed on the constant accumulation of knowledge to their own students. Several generations of surgeons will continue to benefit from Starzl’s inquisitive mind and determination. It is not a secret that the world owes him some of the best doctors the profession has to offer.

Today, the controversies continue, regarding patient choice, treatment options, organ donation, transplant tourism… the list can go on for as long as you choose. It seems to be woven into the very fabric of transplantation on every level, whether scientific, social or economic. The physicians that are active in the field or newly entering it will continue to face many adversities, yet they are lucky – few other fields are so thoroughly defended; in fact many of our colleagues here today are dedicated to ensuring the ethical execution of every aspect of transplantation. And of course, we must never forget that the example that has been set by their predecessors, legends and pioneers with a vision and a steel will. They are the Starzl’s of our profession, fighting against the current to extend the horizon for us, for their patients, for mankind everywhere.

The risks a surgeon must take are great, for the results may often be fatal. It takes courage and determination indeed to weather such storms, to stand tall in the face of hostility and adversity and to persevere. Such a man is Thomas Starzl, and we must celebrate such mean and women who change the world with their dedication. It is a privilege for me to have this opportunity to honor Prof. Starzl and it shall always remain a great source of pride for me to call him a teacher, a mentor, and a true friend.