From heartbreak to hope: Hilo man shares grattitude after rare transplant

Hilo resident Alan Tamashiro, 67, returned to Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Tuesday to thank the doctors and staff who helped him receive a rare, life-saving heart transplant just over a year ago. A heart pump implanted by cardiologist Jane Luu helped stabilize him for the transplant at USC Keck Hospital. Tamashiro reunited with the medical teams involved in his care and celebrated his recovery with his wife.