Miami Transplant Institute Performs 500th Lung Transplant

By Carla Palmer

Miami Transplant Institute (MTI), a joint program between Jackson Health System and UHealth – University of Miami Health System, has reached a major milestone: its 500th lung transplant.

Marcos Dabul, a 74-year-old father of two and longtime Miami resident, recently underwent the life-changing surgery.

Once an avid athlete who enjoyed tennis, windsurfing, and sailing, Dabul’s active lifestyle came to a sudden halt five years ago. After a bout of bronchitis sent him to the doctor, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

“I wasn’t feeling well… I noticed I needed more oxygen,” Marcos recalled.

His wife, Susy Dabul, remembers how quickly the condition began to take over his life.

“He couldn’t walk; he needed a wheelchair,” she said “Even with oxygen, he couldn’t breathe properly.”

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff over time. This scarring makes it increasingly difficult for the lungs to function properly, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, and reduced oxygen levels in the blood.

After years of struggling and trying various medications to manage his symptoms, Marcos was referred to the team at MTI in September 2024. At the time, his condition was considered stable.

“I always thought it wouldn’t get that bad; that nothing serious would happen,” he said. “But the years went by, and I kept getting worse, especially during the last three months before the surgery.”

By June 2025, his condition became severe. During a follow-up appointment, doctors determined it was no longer safe for him to return home. He would need a lung transplant.

“That’s when I spoke with my family, and we made the decision,” Marcos said.

On June 27, he was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Just 10 days later, he was placed on the transplant list.

“The team acted very quickly in recognizing how sick he was,” said Juan Fernandez Castillo, MD, a transplant pulmonologist and intensivist at MTI. “That was the only way to save his life, to act fast.”

A match was found in just five days. On July 15, Dabul underwent the transplant surgery, performed by Mariana Gil, MD, thoracic surgery, and Mauricio Pipkin, MD, surgical director of The Lung Center.

“The attention here has been amazing. From the first moment I got here, everything has been excellent,” Marcos said.

MTI’s 500th lung transplant not only reflects the number of lives changed, but also the rapid growth and quality of the program.

“We’re really excited to have reached this milestone,” Dr. Fernandez Castillo said. “A lot of these patients were transplanted within the last three years, so we’re proud that we didn’t just bring volume — we brought great outcomes.”

After the successful surgery and several days of rest, Marcos was transferred to Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial, where he worked on regaining mobility and strength so his muscles could keep up with his new lungs.

“I feel better every day. From the day of the transplant, I’ve been feeling better every day,” he said.

He was discharged from Lynn Rehabilitation Center on August 13, surrounded by his family, ready to reclaim the life that was taken from him five years ago — and to once again enjoy everything Miami has to offer.