​                       (Dr. Kim with his father Chong Soo Kim and mother Wan Sook Kim)

The fourth and final episode of Knowledge Network's 'Transplant Stories' highlights the rollercoaster journeys of two liver transplant recipients. Vancouver General Hospital liver transplant surgeon Dr. Peter Kim, who is also the provincial medical director for the liver transplant program, knows this fascinating organ inside and out, but not just from a medical viewpoint. His dad Chong Soo Kim received a liver transplant 27 years ago. Dr. Kim had just finished his undergraduate degree at the time and had not yet started medical school.

What led to your dad's liver transplant?

My dad was quite sick prior to his liver transplant. He was going into the emergency room every few weeks, very confused. [When the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood, it leads to a loss of brain function called hepatic encephalopathy.]

This was in the days when patients carried a pager. My dad received the page to come into the hospital for his transplant. Luckily, his recovery was relatively smooth. He had a bad case of ileus, which is a temporary condition where your intestines do not work properly, but once he recovered from that, he was able to go home a week later.

                                                      (Photo credit to: Transplant Stories)

How did your experience with your dad's liver transplant influence your career?

I was always interested in surgery. Initially, I wanted to do general surgery so I could do overseas volunteer work. My initial plan was to do medical missions internationally.

After my second year of medical school, I had a chance to witness an organ donor recovery operation and two liver transplants, all within 24 hours. I was struck by how amazing the process was.

I think transplant, in concept and reality, is one of the most incredible things that we do in medicine. The transformation a sick liver patient undergoes after receiving a liver that works is nothing short of a miracle.

When I saw firsthand what it was like for a patient's life to be changed, both as a medical student and personally with my dad, I decided to specialize in liver surgery.

I also had a chance to work with one of the best-known transplant researchers in Canada – Dr. Robert Zhong – and was surrounded by researchers and clinicians who pursued excellence in transplant.

I consider it a privilege to be a part of the team that carries out the donor's wishes to give the gift of life and to provide the recipients with a second chance at life.

                                                          (Photo credit to: Transplant Stories)

What would you like to say to your dad's donor family?

After his transplant, it was a complete turnaround for my dad. His life returned to normal. He is now 82 years old and he has been able to travel, spend time with us, watch his grandchildren grow up, and do things that he enjoys.

My boys are 11 and 13 and very active. With their grandfather, they do things like visit Capilano Suspension Bridge and he comes to watch them play sports like soccer or baseball.

All this is only possible because of our donor and their family. I cannot thank them enough. I find it incredible that, amid their sadness of losing their loved one, the donor families find it in their hearts to think about others.

My dad would not be here today, along with many others that have been saved by an organ donor. It is truly a gift and an expression of kindness that is unmatched by anything we see.

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See the impact and power of organ donation through the four-part docuseries 'Transplant Stories,'  now streaming for free anytime on Knowledge.ca.

Visit our webpage to learn more about the docuseries.

Are you registered? One organ donor can save up to eight lives.  Registeryourdecision.ca