But Ms. Kuonen, the bike activist in Williamsburg, sounded moderately less hopeful about a change of heart among her Hasidic neighbors.

WSJ: Bike-Share Rides Past Neighborhood

It is the first operation of its kind and doctors are hopeful it could prove to be an alternative to heart transplants.

BBC: Heart pump patient 'doing well'

"I would encourage families to be hopeful, to be present, and to really keep hope alive in their heart, " Schwamm said.

CNN: Healing touch of family, friends aids recovery