James Kirklin

James K. Kirklin, the son of cardiovascular pioneer John Kirklin, is the director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at UAB Medical Center.

Kirklin has been a member of UAB's faculty since 1981. Prior to that he trained at UAB, Boston Children's Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and of Ohio State University.

Since 1986, Kirklin has led UAB's heart transplantation program, which expanded to include lung transplants. In 1997 he was invested with the UAB Cardiovascular Surgical Research Professorship, an endowed chair within the UAB faculty. He helped found UAB's Cardiac Transplant Research Database and led a national Pediatric Heart Transplant Study. He serves as chief editor for the professional journal of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. He has been recognized as one of the best doctors in his field by American Health, U. S. News and World Report, Good Housekeeping and others.

Kirklin is currently involved in a five year study of mechanical circulatory support devices funded by the National Institutes of Health. Along with his colleagues, Kirklin has published hundreds of articles on heart surgery and transplantation. His 2002 textbook on heart transplantation, co-authored by James Young and David McGiffin is the standard and most comprehensive text in the field.

Preceded by: Albert Pacifico

Director of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, UAB July 2006 -

Succeeded by: current

Publications

• Kirklin, James K., James B. Young and David C. McGiffin. (Feburary 2002) Heart Transplantation. London: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0443076553

References

• "Dr. James Kirklin to assume late father's post at UAB." (December 20, 2005) Birmingham Business Journal.
• Deng, Mario C. (December 26, 2002) Heart Transplantation book review. New England Journal of Medicine. Vol. 347, No. 26