An avid runner in his 50s, Prof. George Hill of Vanderbilt University endured a medical marathon that included several complex surgeries, renal failure and, ultimately, a kidney transplant and reconstruction of his abdominal wall with donated allograft skin.

Dr. Hill's Story

An avid runner in his 50s, Prof. George Hill of Vanderbilt University knew that trips and stumbles were a routine part of his daily training. But he never dreamt that tripping over his own two feet would be life-changing when he tripped and hit the pavement hard enough to severely damage his kidney. It ended with a medical marathon that included several complex surgeries, renal failure and, ultimately, a kidney transplant and reconstruction of his abdominal wall with donated allograft skin.

Prior to his fall, Dr. Hill had been advised that he was experiencing reduced kidney function. As an African-American, he knew he was at greater risk of kidney disease. But the damage sustained to his kidney from the fall was lethal, and Dr. Hill’s situation was tenuous.

The removal of his kidney was a critical loss given Dr. Hill’s prior condition. Now, with only one kidney remaining, Dr. Hill would require a kidney transplant or face life on dialysis.

After the fall, Dr. Hill underwent emergency surgery that left him critically ill. The kidney transplant would have to wait until he regained strength. Dr. Hill and his wife hoped for a donor match within their family; Dr. Hill’s step-daughter Nicole came forward to donate one of her kidneys.

Dr. Hill knows that his life today would be vastly different without the donated kidney that allows him to work, exercise, and live dialysis-free. The large repair in his abdomen remains infection-free, in large part due to donated skin tissue graft that was implanted following the removal of his injured kidney.

“Having been a recipient of both tissue and organ donation, I certainly feel blessed,” said Dr. Hill. “There are many individuals who have contributed to my continued survival and work, which I don’t take lightly.”