Carriage House Plans: Liver Transplants

Liver Transplants

Homas E. Starzl was born in Le Mars, Iowa, where his father, Roman Starzl, edited the town's newspaper. As a boy, Thomas Starzl worked at every job on the paper, from printer's devil to reporter. He later credited his experience sorting type at the newspaper office with helping to develop the manual dexterity he employed in his later career as a surgeon. Starzl's mother had been a nurse earlier in life. Her interest in things medical and her long fight with breast cancer inspired Starzl to pursue a career in medicine himself.During World War II, Starzl arranged to graduate from high school ahead of schedule and enlist in the U.S. Navy. After the war, Starzl earned a biology degree at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, and was accepted to Northwestern University Medical School. He emerged in 1952 with a Master's in anatomy and a Ph.D. in neurophysiology as well as his medical degree.