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Carlos Rosales, 42, of Brentwood, underwent a complex 11-hour transplant surgery on Wednesday, Dec. 4, after spending three months on a waiting list for a liver, which he received from a 19-year-old deceased donor, hospital officials said.
According to doctors, Rosales would have most likely died if not for the transplant.
“I honestly believe Mr. Rosales would not have survived the week without this incredible gift,” said Dr. Lewis Teperman, director of organ transplantation at Northwell Health and vice-chair of surgery at NSUH. “He was hospitalized and in desperate need of a liver. It’s a somber moment anytime an organ becomes available, but one person’s sacrifice can result in the gift of life to countless others."
Northwell Health received approval in June from the state to operate Long Island’s first adult liver transplant program.
The Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases is providing pre- and post-liver transplant services along with care for those suffering from end-stage liver disease to more than 100 patients.
“Long Islanders affected by liver disease now have a choice for their care,” said Bernstein. “Quality of life can be as important as the quality of care given, so receiving treatment within a short drive of home matters.”
To get the liver transplant program off to a great start, the hospital has opened a 13,000-square-foot, $26 million surgical and transplant intensive care unit, renovated two existing operating rooms into state-of-the-art surgical transplant operating suites and hired 50 additional staff.
“My family has been by my side through this entire ordeal; I couldn’t have done it without them,” Rosales said. “I’m grateful for this second chance I’ve been given. Thank you to the donor family and the incredible team at Northwell Health.”
For more information about the Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases, call 855-605-4837.
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