On July 17, 2024, the Department of Surgery hosted an investiture ceremony to celebrate Dr. James Maloney, Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Anthony J. Arenas Professor in Lung Transplantation. Dr. Rebecca Minter, Chair of the Department of Surgery, gave welcome remarks at the ceremony and then presented Dr. Maloney with his medallion. The investiture ceremony concluded with a presentation from Dr. Maloney.
The Anthony J. Arenas Professorship in Lung Transplantation is awarded to a faculty member who specializes in transplant surgery. As a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Maloney is skilled in a range of surgical procedures, including adult and pediatric lung transplants. One of Dr. Maloney’s special clinical interests is in lung transplants.
In 2015, Dr. Maloney performed a double lung transplant on Tony Arenas, then 30 years old. Arenas, a native of Pewaukee, Wis., had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was 6 months old. At the time of his surgery, Arenas’ lung function had decreased to about 12%. The surgery saved his life.
“I can plan for a future now,” Arenas said. “I never thought I’d be able to do all the stuff I wanted to do, and now I can.”
When presented with the opportunity to create a professorship for Dr. Maloney, Arenas and his family knew they had to take advantage of it. They saw this professorship as a way to give back to Dr. Maloney.
“Every night I say three prayers of thanks: one for my family, one for my donor, and one for Dr. Maloney,” Arenas said.
The Arenas family has been incredibly generous donors to the Department of Surgery, supporting this professorship and the global surgery program.
The Department of Surgery would like to thank the generous donors and friends that made this professorship possible.