Shands Hospital at the University of Florida is offering some COVID patients another recovery option – when all else fails.

The hospital is one of few in the country that is performing lung transplants on COVID patients.

Dr. TiagoMmachuca, transplant surgeon, says when a patient is otherwise healthy, but their lungs are unable to heal on their own, a patient might be a good candidate for a transplant.

He says there is no better feeling than watching a patient walk out of the hospital after months of living on machines.

“I think for all of us, it is extremely rewarding how we can number one, offer hope. But number two, be able to completely shift a negative situation into a positive one,” said Dr. Machuca.

Watch the video above to hear the story of one local man who had a double lung transplant after a battle with COVID.