Matt Batcheldor

March 3, 2026

Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital receives national designation for treating patients with chest pain

By Matt Batcheldor
February 27, 2026

Multiple surgeries that open chest don’t add extra risk for transplant patients: Study

Researchers retrospectively reviewed 552 Vanderbilt Health patients from Jan. 2024 to Dec. 2025, placing them in 3 groups: those with no sternotomies, those with one, and those with two or more.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 11, 2026

Heart preservation technique increases pool of organs available for transplant

The technique, termed REUP (rapid recovery with extended ultraoxygenated preservation), avoids traditional methods that reanimate the heart within or outside the donor’s body.

By Matt Batcheldor
February 3, 2026

1,000 lungs and countless more breaths: Vanderbilt Transplant Center commemorates landmark

Vanderbilt Health’s fourth lung transplant patient is thought to be the world’s record holder for longevity following a single lung transplant.

By Matt Batcheldor
A standard heart transplant requires surgical many types of instruments. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
January 21, 2026

New donor organ storage method helps reduce rates of severe primary graft dysfunction

Methods such as the cold storage system make it possible to preserve organs for longer after donation, expanding the pool of available organs.

By Matt Batcheldor
Kascey Malone, CST; Brandon Petree, MD; Aaron Williams, MD; Yatrik Patel, MD; and Sean Bunch, RN; work around a patient during a heart transplant surgery. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
January 14, 2026

Vanderbilt Transplant Center nation’s largest after performing record number of solid organ transplants in 2025

Through dramatic growth, the VTC is now the largest transplant center in the country by volume, according to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing.

By Matt Batcheldor
January 5, 2026

Vanderbilt Health honored for providing care to patients with congenital heart disease

The program recognizes “the critical role of facilities providing care to patients with congenital heart disease who transition their care from pediatric cardiology to adult cardiology services.”
By Matt Batcheldor
December 23, 2025

Vanderbilt Health performs record number of adult and pediatric heart transplants during 2025

As in prior years, the success of Vanderbilt Health’s transplant program is a testament to the greatness of individuals and innovations alike and to the tremendous power of teamwork.
By Matt Batcheldor
December 15, 2025

Vanderbilt’s Seth Karp testifies about continuing need to increase organs available for transplant

More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant, and about 13 people die each day waiting.
By Matt Batcheldor
November 25, 2025

Beth Smith goes the extra mile to help pediatric patients in their rehabilitation care

“We’re just going to keep pushing forward and keep advancing and making things better for our patients.”
By Matt Batcheldor
November 20, 2025

Ukrainian surgeons again come to VUMC to observe transplant protocols

With the help of the Vanderbilt Transplant Center and other centers, Ukraine has developed a growing transplant program in the country in the last five years.
By Matt Batcheldor
November 17, 2025

New device collects data to measure gait, informing physical therapy programs, custom orthotic design

The mat, a portable, single-layer, pressure-sensitive walkway, takes precise measurements and collects data to measure multiple parameters of gait.
By Matt Batcheldor