RELEASE ON RECEIPT







                                                     CONTACT: Marguerite Beck

             MEDICARE APPROVES U.VA.'S HEART/LUNG TRANSPLANT PROGRAM

          CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Dec. 23--The U.S.Department of Health and 
Human Resources (DHHR) has designated the University of Virginia Heart Center 
Cardiopulmonary Transplant program as a Medicare-approved transplant center. 
Medicare-approved centers have a 20 percent lower mortality risk than other 
transplant centers, according to a recent DHHR study.
	The designation was based on a thorough review of the heart/lung 
transplant program and quality of patient care by DHHR staff. U.Va. is the 
only Medicare-approved heart/lung transplant program in the state.
	"For patients with end-stage lung disease, lung transplantation 
definitively improves both quality of life and survival," said Dr. Mark 
Robbins, medical director for pulmonary transplantation at U.Va. "Our 
Center's experience and expertise will now be offered to a greater number of 
patients in the mid-Atlantic region."
	The Heart Center's transplant team is a multidisciplinary group of 
cardiologists, pulmonologists, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, nurse 
coordinators, social workers, dietitians, physical therapists and 
psychologists. Their expertise is combined with the latest technology, 
including ventricular assist devices used as a "bridge" to transplantation 
in patients who would not otherwise survive the wait for an organ.
      For more information, call Dr. Mark Robbins by page at 804-982-3500, 
pic #4060.
	                              ###
                                                         December 22, 1995