James Hardy

James D. Hardy (May 14, 1918 – February 19, 2003) was a United States surgeon who performed the world's first lung transplant into John Russell, who lived 18 days. The transplant was performed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi on June 11, 1963. Hardy also attempted the world's first modern heart transplant when he transplanted the heart of a chimpanzee into comatose and dying Boyd Rush's chest during the early morning of January 24, 1964. This heart beat for approximately one hour, and then Rush died without regaining consciousness. The consent form did not disclose that a chimpanzee heart might be used, although Hardy stated that he had discussed this with Rush's stepsister. Before the transplant attempt, Hardy asked the four doctors who would be assisting him, to vote whether to proceed. One said yes, one abstained, and the last two nodded yes. This operation was also performed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. It was the world's first modern heart xenotransplant since Hardy used a chimp's heart. Early life Hardy grew up in Newala, Alabama, a small community in Shelby County. His father owned a lime plant in Newala. He studied at a high school in Montevallo before entering the University of Alabama for pre-medical curriculum. He received his MD in 1942 from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He held the office of the president of Alpha Omega Alpha during his senior year and his first scientific publication was on wound healings. Career Hardy served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in early 1944 during the Second World War. He first worked at Stark General Hospital, Charleston in South Carolina. Hardy began writing his first book, Surgery and the Endocrine System, in 1950 which was published two years later. He was awarded the Master of Medical Science in physiological chemistry by the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 for his research on using heavy water for measuring body fluids. He became the chair of surgery at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson in 1955. He was also the first Professor of Surgery at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.