Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Title of entry: The Inspiring Story of World’s First All-Female Heart Transplant

About this entry: “The Inspiring Story of the World’s First All-Female Heart Transplant” captured more than a historic selfie and global first. It illuminated decades of intentional cultural change at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) — particularly within heart transplant surgery, a field in which women comprise just 6% of surgeons.

In late 2022, UCSF heart transplant surgeon Amy Fiedler, MD, led the world’s first all-female heart transplant team. The procedure drew national media attention, positioning UCSF at the forefront of surgical excellence. But while coverage celebrated the milestone, the writer recognized a deeper story: this was not only a moment of medical achievement — it told the story of an incredible surgeon but also the culmination of sustained investment in opportunity, mentorship, and structural change.

Lopez Gonzalez reframed the historic moment as a lens through which to examine UCSF’s long-standing commitment to transforming surgical culture. Through interviews with faculty, she profiled Dr. Fiedler’s journey from trainee to UCSF’s first female heart transplant surgeon, revealing how a network of mentors shaped her path.

Strategically, Lopez Gonzalez leveraged existing photography and video — including the now-iconic operating room selfie — to anchor the narrative visually and emotionally. The profile’s structure “bookended” the milestone: it opened with a historic first and closed with Dr. Fiedler, now mid-career, mentoring the next generation — including UCSF's second female heart transplant surgeon. The narrative thus embodied the theme of paying opportunity forward.