'Burden of Genius' doc returns to Carnegie Science Center for 1 day encore

A documentary about pioneering transplant doctor Thomas Starzl is returning to Pittsburgh.

“Burden of Genius,” which tells the story of the doctor that performed the first liver transplants, will have an encore showing at the Carnegie Science Center on Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The documentary sold out every weekend screening during its run from April 12 to 18 at the Carnegie Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema.

“It’s been very moving to be part of sharing this incredible documentary with Pittsburgh,” said The Rangos Giant Cinema senior director Chad Hunter. “At every screening, we’ve met transplant patients and their families and heard their personal stories. I can’t think of a better documentary for us to show. It hits science, Pittsburgh history and innovation, and the subject has touched almost everyone in one way or another.”

Representatives for the Center for Organ Recovery and Education will be on hand once again to register people to be organ donors.

Starzl has often been referred to as “the father of modern transplantation.” After performing the first successful human liver transplant in 1967 at the University of Colorado, Starzl came to the University of Pittsburgh in 1981 and was the surgeon for the first heart-liver transplant in 1984 in Stormie Jones, who survived until 1990, reaching the age of 13.

“My hope is that we’ll continue to show the film periodically throughout the year,” said Hunter. “Every Pittsburgher should see it.”