Georgia

Kidney transplant for toddler closer to reality after hospital CEO admits mistake

By Stanley Dunlap
Screen grab from on October 11 Alive news report when a Gwinnett County couple said their 2-year-old son’s kidney transplant has been stalled because the father, who is a perfect match, was told by a hospital he must comply first with his parole officer. About a month later, the CEO of Emory Healthcare said they are planning to move up the timeline for the transplant surgery.
Screen grab from on October 11 Alive news report when a Gwinnett County couple said their 2-year-old son’s kidney transplant has been stalled because the father, who is a perfect match, was told by a hospital he must comply first with his parole officer. About a month later, the CEO of Emory Healthcare said they are planning to move up the timeline for the transplant surgery. Screen Grab 11 Alive

The CEO of Emory Healthcare apologized this week after saying a breakdown in communication led to the delay in a father donating a kidney to his two-year-old son.

In a press conference held Friday, attorneys for the family of A.J. Burgess said Emory Hospital officials have agreed to move forward with the process of approving his father Anthony Dickerson as A.J.’s kidney donor.

11 Alive Atlanta reported that discussions will resume after A.J., who was born without kidneys, recovers from an infection. Dickerson is a perfect match to A.J.

Just last month, Dickerson received a letter from Emory Hospital after he was arrested for a probation violation. The letter said Emory was holding off on approving the surgery until they reassessed him in January. The hospital said Dickerson needed to provide documentation of compliance from his parole officer.

But this week hospital officials reversed course with CEO Dr. Jonathan Lewin saying the hospital shares the same goal as A.J.’s family about ensuring their well-being.

“In reviewing our communication with the family, Emory Healthcare wants to acknowledge and apologize for a breakdown in communication on our part,” Lewin said in the statement. “In addition, the Emory Healthcare team and the family agreed to meet again on Monday, Nov. 6, to continue the process.”

To read the 11 Alive Atlanta story click here.

Stanley Dunlap: 478-744-4623, @stan_telegraph

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