Burden of Genius: Dr. Thomas Starzl’s Journey into Organ Transplantation

Relive the start of a medical revolution. Burden of Genius: Dr. Thomas Starzl’s Journey into Organ Transplantation returns to Pittsburgh's largest screen for special encore screenings on Thurs., Sept. 26 at 4 and 7 pm.

Considered the “father of transplantation,” Dr. Thomas Starzl performed the world’s first successful liver transplant in 1967, but it wasn’t until he came to the University of Pittsburgh in 1981 that he perfected what was still considered an experimental procedure and helped what was then a Steel City struggling to reinvent itself become "the transplant capital of the world.” Starzl took what was once thought only the subject of science fiction and turned it into an everyday medical miracle, saving the lives of countless patients and transforming modern medicine.

Carl Kurlander, known for St. Elmo’s Fire and The Shot Felt ‘Round The World, will introduce the film and talk about the journey of being one of the producers on Burden of Genius.

To create this award-winning documentary, the filmmakers sat down with Dr. Starzl for a week of interviews and had full access to the Thomas E. Starzl Institute archives. They interviewed numerous Dr. Starzl surgical fellows, who have gone on to run transplant centers around the world, as well as transplant recipients including musician David Crosby; filmmaker and son of actor Robert Redford, Jamie Redford; and Larry Kramer, the playwright and activist who was part of a pilot program Dr. Starzl ran in the 1980s on AIDS patients. Pittsburgh’s own David McCullough also speaks in the film on Dr. Starzl and his place in history as one of the true heroes of the 20th century.

Reserving tickets in advance for this film is strongly encouraged. To purchase tickets for a group of 15+, please contact 412.237.3400.