OKLAHOMA

CORPORATION COMMISSION                                                                                                            308 Jim Thorpe Building

                P.O. BOX 52000-2000                                                                                                                                         Telephone:  (405) 521-2264

                OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73152-2000                                                                                                               FAX:  (405) 522-1623

 

 


Ed Apple                                                                                                                                          Commissioner

 

 


9-13-02

 

 

For Further Information, Contact:

Sarah Penn, Commissioner Apple’s Office (405) 521-2264             

Matt Skinner, Corporation Commission (405) 521-4180                                                              Damon Gardenhire, Corporate Communications-Integris Health (405) 629-3204

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Commissioner Apple, close friend, recovering after successful kidney donation

 

 

(Oklahoma City) Corporation Commissioner Ed Apple yesterday underwent kidney donation surgery, donating one of his kidneys to long-time close friend James “Jim” Metzer. The surgery was performed at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

 

Urologist and surgeon James Donovan, M.D., performed the removal of the donated kidney from Apple. Urologist and kidney transplant surgeon E.N. Scott Samara, M.D., performed the kidney transplant operation on Metzer.

 

Commissioner Apple made the decision to be an organ donor for Metzer more than a year ago, after consultation with his family and another close friend, Duncan surgeon Dr. Jimmy Jones.

 

Apple and Metzer have been the best of friends since they first met in the 5th grade of Barnard Elementary in Tulsa. Commissioner Apple resides in Duncan. He will be 70 in November. James Metzer, a retired attorney, is an Edmond resident.

 

Commissioner Apple’s term ends January 13th of next year. He is not seeking reelection.