'NY Med': Gay, HIV Positive Veteran Needs A Heart Transplant (VIDEO)

On the latest episode of "NY Med" (Tue., 10 p.m. ET on ABC) viewers were introduced to gay Gulf War veteran John Rankl.

After developing congestive heart failure, Rankl was dependant on an artifical pump to keep him alive, and his only chance of survival was to have a heart transplant.

However, because Rankl is HIV positive, his chances of receiving a transplant seemed slim until he turned to the staff at New York Presbyterian hospital.

In the opinion of cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Hammond, M.D. the motivated Rankl was "perhaps a better transplant candidate than people who haven’t shown that they have the discipline to be compliant with what you need to survive with a heart transplant.”

One year in, Rankl's transplant was judged to have been a success. The medical team was amazed by his quick recovery, and he was now able to work as a community volunteer.

Follow the real-life medical dramas on "NY Med," Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and amazing moments - and delivers them right to your browser.