when was the first heart transplant
First Successful Heart Transplant. Dr. Christiaan Barnard describes his approach to performing the first successful heart transplant. On December 3, 1967, 53-year-old Lewis Washkansky received the first transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa.irst Successful Heart Transplant. Dr. Christiaan Barnard describes his approach to performing the first successful heart transplant. On December 3, 1967, 53-year-old Lewis Washkansky received the first transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa.