About

Dr. Byers “Bud” Shaw, Jr.

Dr. Byers “Bud” Shaw was an early transplant fellow of Dr. Starzl’s who has gone on to become a successful and pioneering surgeon in his own right. Shaw received his degree in medicine from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in 1976 before relocating to Salt Lake City to complete a 5-year residency at the University of Utah. In 1981, the promising young surgeon headed back east to become a part of the brand-new transplant program at the University of Pittsburgh. In a letter from 1982, Starzl shared his early impressions of Shaw with Henry Bahnson, praising Shaw’s surgical skill, forward-thinking research, and amiability. (Doc. 1) After his internship was completed, Shaw was made an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Pitt in 1983. In early 1984, Shaw participated in the remarkable surgery of Stormie Jones, a young girl who was the recipient of the world’s first heart-liver transplant. Shaw, assisted by Dr. Shun Iwatsuki, performed the liver portion of the transplant; the successful surgery was widely praised, and helped the little girl live another 6 years.

In July of 1985, Shaw moved to the University of Nebraska in Omaha, where he was responsible for establishing his very own new transplant program. Shaw became passionate about the development of a national organ procurement system, and was vocal in addressing early concerns about the UNOS program. (Doc. 2) As the Chief of Transplantation, Shaw was instrumental in expanding the types of surgeries available, growing the department from focusing solely on kidneys and livers to include other organs, such as the pancreas and the heart.  (Doc. 3) In 1997, he became the Chairman of the Department of Surgery, a position from which he retired in 2008. He currently serves as the Medical Director for a project at the University of Nebraska Medical Center which focuses on methods of improving patient care.

Despite leaving Pittsburgh, he kept up a correspondence with his teacher; Starzl and Shaw continue to exchange letters to this day. Shaw wrote Starzl an encouraging letter after reading an early draft of The Puzzle People, in which he praises his old mentor’s “inspired work” and his fascinating viewpoint.  (Doc. 4) Shaw’s admiration for Starzl is very apparent in the files, but the same can be said in reverse. In one letter from 2008, Starzl notes that “There is very little reason to judge [Shaw] in the same terms as most of his contemporaries. He has earned the right to stand above them, as he modestly does with exemplary humility.” (Doc. 5)