VCU news

By Joe Kuttenkuler

We're committed to treating all patients with dignity and respect, but there have been times throughout our history when we have fallen short of this goal. Our history can teach us valuable lessons, including the circumstances of the first heart transplant at MCV in 1968. To learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/learning-from-our-past-to-inform-future-actions

Richard R. Lower, M.D., who helped develop the techniques for transplanting a human heart and performed the ninth transplant in the United States, died May 17 at his home in Twin Bridges, Mont. He was 78.

Lower was a professor emeritus at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and former chair of the division of cardiothoracic surgery.

He came to the VCU Medical Center – then the Medical College of Virginia – in 1965 from Stanford University Medical Center, where he and colleague, Norman Shumway, M.D., had been conducting research on cooling and resuscitating the heart. The two performed many successful canine heart transplants before Lower was recruited to VCU.

In Richmond, Lower and his team continued to refine their surgical and post-operative techniques and nearly performed the first heart transplant in the world, but a blood incompatibility issue kept them from operating.

On May 25, 1968, Lower performed the first heart transplant in Virginia – just the 16^th in the world – and while the patient's survival was short, it led to a landmark change in the legal definition of brain death, a decision that would forever benefit future transplant recipients.

Lower's achievements were highlighted in a recent episode of "VCU Inside/Out," on VCU-TV/HD. 

Lower retired from VCU in 1989 and moved to Montana where he operated a cattle ranch. A true lover of the outdoors, Lower originally wanted to attend Cornell University Forestry School but chose medicine at the urging of his friends.

Before pursing his surgical career, his passion had been family practice medicine. Until recently, Lower had returned to Richmond and was volunteering as a general practitioner at the Cross Over Ministry clinic, helping underinsured and uninsured patients. 

“Dr. Lower was a giant in the field of cardiac surgery internationally and was one of the cornerstones of the VCU Medical Center,” said Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., president of VCU and president and chair of the VCU Health System board of directors. “His tireless efforts as a clinician, researcher and teacher exemplify the mission of our academic medical center.”

"He had a true passion for helping people…that combined with his pioneering spirit led to his remarkable achievements," said Sheldon Retchin, M.D., CEO, VCU Health System and V.P. for Health Sciences.

"When I first decided to come here, I knew immediately this is where Dr. Lower was," said Vigneshwar Karsirajan, M.D., current chair of the division of cardiothoracic surgery. "All of us in cardiac surgery today are merely standing in the shadow of giants like Dr. Lower who laid the foundation for the procedures we perform today."

Lower is survived by his wife, Anne Rutherford Lower, four children, Frederick A. Lower II and his wife, Mary, of Middlebury, Vt.; Gavin R. Lower and his wife, Sarah, of Hampden-Sydney, Va.;  Hilary Richardson of Keene, N.H.; and Glenn W. Lower and his wife, Cheryl, of Middlebury, Vt.; seven grandchildren, Isabel, Ian, Melanie, Ivanna, Ella, John and Whit. He is also survived by his brother, Frederick A. Lower, and his wife, Terri, of Mount Dora, Fla., and three nieces.