Dr. Jeremiah Kurz has dedicated his life to helping others. As a gastroenterologist at Hackensack University Medical Center, he sees patients daily, addressing a range of digestive health concerns. But recently, his life-saving care went above and beyond his work. Dr. Kurz donated a kidney to a stranger. Years earlier, he'd participated in a donor drive through his synagogue -- one he'd nearly forgotten about when he got the call. He was a match for a patient in desperate need. Inspired by a sense of gratitude for his life, he felt called towards that act of extraordinary altruism. “I have so much going well in my life,” he says. “What can I do to give back?” At 39, the recipient had endured a previous kidney transplant that lasted 20 years before failing. Tethered to dialysis and severely restricted, his life has been transformed by Dr. Kurz's selflessness. In a heartfelt letter, the recipient shared his dreams of writing, traveling and simply enjoying the life he was missing. His family wrote to Dr. Kurz to express their overwhelming gratitude and the hardship of seeing their loved one battle kidney failure. Dr. Kurz’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. This was his first surgery, and like most people, he experienced nervousness and some tough days of recovery. But the discomfort was a small price to pay for the immeasurable gift he bestowed. Supported by his loving wife, family, community and fellow team members, he recovered quickly, cared for by the compassionate nurses at Hackensack University Medical Center's new surgical pavilion. Dr. Kurz praised the team’s attentiveness and responsiveness, particularly Katie from the transplant group, Rose and Kira from his office team and his surgeon, Dr. Ravi Munver, vice chair of urology, for their expertise and support. “I couldn’t ask for better,” he says. This act of kindness highlights not only Dr. Kurz’s extraordinary compassion, but also the spirit of teamwork and caring that permeates Hackensack University Medical Center. While Dr. Kurz downplays his own heroism, the impact of his donation is undeniable. He has given a fellow human being the chance to live a full and healthy life, a gift far beyond the scope of his daily medical practice. #PeopleofHMH (fb)

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