From the first adult heart transplant performed in Dallas at Parkland Memorial Hospital in 1968 to the first infant heart transplant at Children's Medical Center in 1988 to the campus' 300th heart transplant in 2003, UT Southwestern Medical Center's pioneering efforts have led to the institution becoming one of the leading transplant centers in the world. In this lecture, W. Steves Ring, M.D., will discuss the development of UT Southwestern's Heart and Lung Transplant program, as well as research performed in the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery's laboratory to develop a cardiac preservation device to prevent damage to organs during procurement and transport. Such research breakthroughs may improve early graft function and possibly decrease the risk of late vascular rejection.