Patrick Hardison received a new face after third-degree burns, this is him today

Patrick Hardison from Mississippi made history as the first American to receive a face transplant in 2015 after a devastating house fire left him severely disfigured. A volunteer firefighter, Patrick responded to a blaze in 2001, but the building collapsed on him, causing third-degree burns to his face, scalp, neck, and upper torso. He lost his ears, lips, most of his nose, and eyelid tissue.

Enduring over 70 surgeries, Patrick struggled with constant pain, vision risks, and social isolation. He wore sunglasses and a cap to hide his injuries but still faced public stares, making life unbearable. Hope emerged when Frenchwoman Isabelle Dinoire underwent the first partial face transplant. Inspired, Patrick met Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez at NYU Langone Medical Center, who agreed to perform the surgery if a donor was found. LiveOnNY eventually matched Patrick with 26-year-old David Rodebaugh, a bike accident victim declared brain dead. This life-changing transplant gave Patrick a second chance.