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Hackensack University Medical Center press release
This Father's Day, we celebrate not just the dads who nurture and protect their own families, but also those whose love extends beyond their immediate circle.
Dr. Jeremiah Kurz, a gastroenterologist at Hackensack University Medical Center, has always been dedicated to helping people. He sees patients daily, addressing a range of digestive issues from acid reflux to colon cancer screenings. But recently, Dr. Kurz went above and beyond the call of duty, giving a gift far more profound than any medical advice: he donated a kidney to a complete stranger.
Inspired by the joy and good fortune in his own life, particularly witnessing his children thrive and recent family weddings, he decided to give the ultimate gift – the gift of life. It was this deep gratitude for his own family blessings that led him to become an altruistic kidney donor, proving that the heart of a father can encompass the world.
Years earlier, he had participated in a kidney donor drive through his synagogue. He’d almost forgotten about it when, out of the blue, he received a call. He was a match for a patient in desperate need.
“I have so much going well in my life,” Dr. Kurz reflected. “What can I do to give back?” His answer was an act of extraordinary altruism.
The recipient, a 39-year-old man, had endured a previous kidney transplant that lasted 20 years before failing. Tethered to dialysis three times a week, his life was severely restricted. Thanks to Dr. Kurz’s selfless act, this young man has been given a new lease on life, freed from the burden of dialysis and the constant threat to his health. Although the two haven’t met, in a heartfelt letter to Dr. Kurz, his kidney recipient, shared his dreams of writing and traveling, and simply enjoying the life he was missing . His family, too, expressed their overwhelming gratitude in emotional letters, describing the hardships they faced as their loved one battled kidney failure.
Dr. Kurz’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. This was his first surgery, and he admits, like most people, he was quite nervous and, “that first day was a little rough,” he confessed. But the discomfort was a small price to pay for the immeasurable gift he bestowed. Supported by his loving wife, family, and community, he recovered extremely quickly, cared for by the compassionate nursing staff at Hackensack University Medical Center’s new surgical pavilion. He praised the team’s attentiveness and responsiveness, particularly living donor transplant coordinator, Katie Murdock and his surgeon, Dr. Ravi Munver, vice chair of Urology and director of Living Kidney Donor Surgery, at Hackensack, for their expertise and support.
Dr. Kurz & Dr. Munver
Dr. Kurz specifically chose Dr. Munver, also a father, and an expert in robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, having performed the first robotic-assisted donor nephrectomy at Hackensack University Medical Center nearly 2 decades ago. This minimally invasive approach has since evolved with newer generation robotic technology and Dr. Munver’s pioneering use of artificial intelligence-powered virtual 3D kidney models that help visualize the complex anatomy of the kidney. Since 2021 Dr. Munver has been perfecting the robotic procedure and currently, he and his team routinely offer robotic-assisted donor nephrectomy to patients that are donating to their recipients at the medical center. They have noticed significant benefits to kidney donors with the robotic approach compared to traditional open surgery.
“It was a true privilege to perform a robotic-assisted donor nephrectomy for his fellow physician and colleague who so selflessly gave the gift of life,” said Dr. Munver. “Knowing that this minimally invasive approach allowed him to return to his family, his patients, and the life he loves so much, faster and with less pain, is deeply rewarding. It is an incredible honor and privilege to be a part of such a powerful story of altruism and advanced surgical care."
Dr. Kurz’s colleagues at Hackensack and his office staff, particularly Rose and Kira, also rallied around him, covering his patients and managing his schedule during his recovery. “I couldn’t ask for better,” he said of his supportive staff. This act of kindness highlights not only Dr. Kurz’s extraordinary compassion but also the spirit of teamwork and caring that permeates Hackensack University Medical Center.
While Dr. Kurz downplays his own heroism, the impact of his donation is undeniable. He has given a fellow human being the chance to live a full and healthy life, a gift far beyond the scope of his daily medical practice. Dr. Kurz’s story is a testament to the power of altruism and a shining example of the extraordinary lengths one person will go to for another. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the greatest gifts we give are those that come from the heart.
This Father's Day, we celebrate not just the dads who nurture and protect their own families, but also those, like Dr. Kurz, whose love extends beyond their immediate circle.
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