How One Doctor's Quick Action Saved a Man from an Unforeseen Organ Harvest

Larry Black Jr. found himself lying on an operating table, poised for organ harvesting, when neurosurgeon Zohny Zohny rushed in, demanding his removal. “This is my patient,” Zohny insisted, despite the surgical team's claim of family consent for the donation. Black, who had been shot in the head on March 24, 2019, had a beating heart and hadn't been declared brain-dead as suggested by Zohny. Despite initial misgivings, Black's family ultimately consented to the procedure, believing he was at the end of his life. However, after Zohny's intervention, Black regained consciousness two days later and began recovering. Organ donation practices face scrutiny, as investigations reveal that patients showing signs of life have been scheduled for organ harvesting. Zohny emphasizes the need for reform in the process of declaring death, asserting it must prioritize patient welfare. Today, Black, now a father of three, continues to grapple with the implications of his near-fatal ordeal.