14 DAY TRIAL // Methodist University Hospital in Memphis confirmed this morning that Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, had a liver transplant back in April. Up until now, the surgery was only rumored to have been performed, as Apple refused to comment on all the speculations on Jobs' health state that could be found around the Internet. However, according to the latest news, the hospital confirmed the surgery and the fact that the patient was recovering well.
“I am pleased to confirm today, with the patient's permission, that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in partnership with the University of Tennessee in Memphis [...] Our one-year patient and graft survival rates are among the best in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs's choice of transplant centers,” stated James D. Eason, M.D., Program Director at Methodist University Hospital's Transplant Institute.
At the same time, James D. Eason also stated that Steve Jobs went through the typical transplant eligibility process. As such, he had to be the sickest patient of his blood type, he had the highest MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) score, when the donor organ became available. “Mr. Jobs is now recovering well and has an excellent prognosis,” Eason added.
The statement seems to be in contradiction with what theories considered in today's New York Times showed, which included the hypothesis that someone with Jobs's resources might try to obtain preferential treatment, although the days when celebrities benefited from such things are now over. At the same time, we should also note the fact that the Memphis transplant center has one of the shortest waiting lists for patients that need liver transplants.
It still remains to be seen when Jobs returns to his daily duties at Apple. According to the company, that should happen before the end of the month, yet there are some reports that suggest Jobs walked in Apple's campus yesterday.