• Transforming a life: Mayo Clinic announces its first face transplant

patient going to operating room

"There are no words to express just how grateful I am for this gift,” says Andy Sandness. The 32-year old Wyoming man received the first-ever face transplant performed at Mayo Clinic. “This is an extraordinary example of the teamwork, collaboration and compassion that we provide,” says Samir Mardini, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of Mayo Clinic's Essam and Dalal Obaid Center for Reconstructive Transplant Surgery. In announcing details of the procedure, Dr. Mardini added, “I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEOS ABOUT THE PATIENT AND THE SURGERY.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video packages with split-channel audio, animations and extra b-roll are in the downloads.

View photo gallery on Flickr.

Read news release: Mayo Clinic announces successful face transplant on Wyoming man.