Pediatric Heart Transplant Study ( PHTS ) The Pediatric Heart Transplant Study ( PHTS ) was established in 1991 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham by Drs . James Kirklin , David Naftel , and Robert Morrow . The registry began data collection on January 1 , 1993 and now includes over 7,000 patients . Dr . Kirklin has continued to be the Principal Investigator for the registry since its creation . PHTS is dedicated to the advancement of the science and treatment of children during listing for and following heart transplantation . The purposes of the group are to establish and maintain an international , prospective , event driven database for heart transplantation , to use the database to encourage and stimulate basic and clinical research in the field of pediatric heart transplantation and to promote new therapeutic strategies . The PHTS has continued its growth annually beginning with 20 US hospitals in 1993 to now having over 50 participating hospitals from the United States , Canada , Brazil , and the United Kingdom . PHTS membership has presented over 90 abstracts and published over 60 papers . For additional information and a list of recent publications , please visit the PHTS website : uab . edu / medicine / phts /
EDUCATION , TRAINING , & RESEARCH
World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery ( WSPCHS ) The Governing Council of WSPCHS has established the World Database for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery at UAB , under the leadership of James K . Kirklin , MD . The World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery ( WSPCHS ) was founded in 2006 in Montreal by Cristo Tchervenkov , MD , and Richard A . Jonas , MD . Their vision is that every child worldwide born with a congenital heart defect should have access to the appropriate medical and surgical care . The WSPCHS promotes the highest quality comprehensive cardiac care for all patients with congenital heart disease , from the fetus to the adult , regardless of the patient ’ s economic means and with an emphasis on excellence in teaching , research , and community service . For more information , please visit wspchs . org www . uabmedicine . org 51