Gilbert teacher undergoes lifesaving liver transplant caused by fatty liver disease

Dignity Health St. Joseph’s seeing more patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

(PHOENIX - Oct. 4, 2024) - A Gilbert teacher is back in the classroom after undergoing a lifesaving liver transplant at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center following a stage four liver disease diagnosis as a result of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is also clinically referred as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). During Liver Disease Awareness Month, Josh Burch wants to bring attention to this increasingly common liver condition among Americans. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for the team at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Norton Thoracic Institute for giving me more time with my students and my two sons,” said Burch, a high school world history teacher and liver transplant patient. “If you would have told me ten years ago that I would need a liver transplant I would have never believed you as I’ve always been an athlete. I’m so thankful the transplant team was able to save my life.”

In 2020, Burch received the surprise of a lifetime when routine lab work to check on his heart led to a liver disease diagnosis. Results from his blood work showed the 49-year-old had extremely low platelet levels. For the next several months, Burch saw a number of doctors who ruled out other illnesses. A few weeks before Thanksgiving of that year, he underwent an ultrasound and learned he had cirrhosis - stage 4 liver disease caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

“I was absolutely shocked when they told me my condition was so bad that I might need a liver transplant,” said Burch. “I was a collegiate athlete, drank very little alcohol and have never smoked. At the time I had never heard of fatty liver disease and didn’t have any physical symptoms.”

Fatty liver disease is caused by excess fat building up in the liver cells and is becoming increasingly common in patients due to the metabolic nature of the disease. In the early 2000’s, fatty liver disease was the cause of 11 percent of liver transplants. However, that number has skyrocketed and today fatty liver disease is the second leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. Approximately 24-38 percent of adults in the United States have fatty liver disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. Experts say dietary factors like consuming foods high in carbohydrates and sugars can contribute to fatty liver disease.

“We are seeing more patients with fatty liver disease because of its correlation to other conditions like diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol as well as heart and thyroid disease,” said Dr. Justin Reynolds, medical director of the liver transplant program at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Norton Thoracic Institute. “When caught early, it can be managed with diet and lifestyle changes. However, like Josh, many people don’t know they have fatty liver disease until it’s developed into its late stages and a liver transplant becomes necessary.”

Soon after learning he had stage 4 liver disease, Josh was connected with the liver team at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Norton Thoracic Institute who monitored his condition for several months. In 2022, his liver disease had progressed enough that he was added to the transplant list. In July of that year, he learned that he would receive the gift of life.

“When I saw St. Joseph’s phone number pop up on my phone that day, I knew exactly what it was,” said Burch. “My family and I hurried to the hospital. It was gametime.”

Dr. Reynolds and the surgical team performed a successful liver transplant. Josh was determined to not let the liver transplant slow him down. Within 14 hours of his surgery, Burch said he was up and moving around with the support of a walker. Less than a day after surgery, he was back grading papers for his Desert Ridge High School students. And just over three months from the day of his surgery, Burch was back in the classroom and ready for a new school year.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see patients like Josh bounce back after undergoing a liver transplant,” said Dr. Reynolds. “Our liver transplant team at Norton Thoracic Institute takes great pride in supporting our patients before, during and after their transplant. Josh put in a lot of hard work to get to where he is today.”

Nearly four years since receiving his fatty liver disease diagnosis, Josh has been determined to live life to the fullest. In addition to serving as a teacher for Gilbert Public Schools, he also is a wrestling coach for his and has enjoyed traveling the world with his boys. He is focused on staying physically active and maintaining a healthy diet.

“This experience has truly taught me to take charge of my health,” said Burch. “I’ve learned that for some people, exercise alone isn’t enough. Take care of your body. Schedule your doctor’s appointments. It’s worth it to live a long life with your friends and family.”

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