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MUSC Remembers Dr. Charles Thomas Fitts
July 4, 1932 - November 4, 2008

Dr. Charles Thomas FittsCharles Thomas Fitts, a retired surgeon and pioneer in the organ transplant program at Medical University of South Carolina, died Tuesday. He was 76.

Fitts was born July 4, 1932 in Jackson, Tenn.  He served as a trauma surgeon in Vietnam and went on to hold several titles at MUSC, including professor of surgery and attending surgeon with the Medical University Hospital.

Fitts is well known for his work in the organ transplant program at MUSC and performed the first kidney transplant in MUSC's history. He retired to private practice at Coastal Surgery Associates at the age of 72.

Fitts is survived by his wife, Marie Von Ohsen Fitts, of Awendaw, nine children and 11 grandchildren.

Welcome to the MUSC Transplant Center. We are enhancing this Web site to create an invaluable resource for patients, families and referring health care providers. Please come back soon for more information.

Whether you are a patient awaiting transplantation, a living donor or a transplant recipient, the MUSC Transplant Center is where you’ll find comprehensive care for diseases of the liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, blood and marrow. Our programs and physicians bring a world-class reputation to meet the needs of patients in South Carolina, across the country and around the world.

MUSC Transplant Center logo

Mother of organ donor
Brenda Pogue remembers her son, Joseph, at the MUSC Transplant Center picnic.
Watch video»
(Image courtesy of ABC News 4 - WCIV)

Kidney, pancreas and liver transplant programs recognized

The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) recognizes the MUSC Transplant Center for mortality, clinical outcomes and length of stay. The rankings are published in the third quarter (July-September 2007) UHC clinical outcomes report analyzing product line mortality.  MUSC sent liver transplant coordinator Dru MacPherson to support patients and families.

MUSC's kidney and pancreas transplant program performed significantly better than expected in terms of mortality: no deaths were observed in the 12 months ending September 2007.  MUSC had one of the shortest average lengths of stay among the 77 institutions reviewed in this report.  MUSC's liver transplant program also reported one of the shortest average lengths of stay among 54 institutions for the period of July through September 2007.

Our vision
The MUSC Transplant Center is committed to enhancing the quality of life for patients in need of transplantation, through innovative treatments and advanced clinical research, creating exceptional outcomes in patient-centered healing environment.

The big picture is told in family portraits, future plans and reunions – proof that lives can be returned to normal. Restoring a patient’s quality of life without limitations or burdens, such as dialysis, portable oxygen or insulin dependency, is what matters most to the MUSC transplant team.

Dedicated team
MUSC Transplant Center attracts world-renowned, dynamic, committed and skilled specialists in transplantation.

Innovative approach
The MUSC Transplant Center is the only comprehensive Transplant Center for adult and pediatric patients in South Carolina. Our nationally recognized transplant program specializes in advanced clinical practices in transplantation, wait list management and collaboration with referring physicians to optimize care for donors and recipients.

Centered on patients and families
MUSC Transplant Center coordinates care around the needs of patients and families to provide the best possible care to every patient and family every day. A statewide network of outreach clinics makes the transplant process as convenient as possible for patients and their families.

Aggressive management of performance outcomes
The MUSC Transplant Center exceeds the national standards for transplant outcomes through the use of standardized protocols, research and data-driven quality improvement.   

Referrals
Early referrals can make a vital difference. Healthier patients are simply stronger for surgery and recovery. Early referral proves to be most advantageous for patients. Often, the underlying diseases are accompanied by life-threatening complications. Early evaluation, before secondary complications progress, increases the likelihood of positive patient outcomes. The process is certainly easier on a family if initiated before the patient requires intensive inpatient care. Each patient receives a full multidisciplinary team evaluation. And although the patient may not be considered a candidate for transplantation, medical, social and financial issues are evaluated so that the patient can be carefully followed and treated.

To speak with a specialist at MUSC or a member of the transplant team, physicians may call MUSC MEDULINE AT 1-800-922-5250 or (843) 792-2200.

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Page last updated: 11/10/2008
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