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
Members of the transplant team pose for a photo after surpassing 200 adult and pediatric heart transplants. (photo courtesy of Ashish Shah)
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
Vanderbilt’s Seth Karp, MD, testifies before a U.S. Senate committee Dec. 11.
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
November 14, 2025

Andrew DeFilippis named director of VUMC’s Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

He serves as associate chief of staff at Vanderbilt University Hospital and served as the medical director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit from 2020 to 2025.
By Matt Batcheldor
November 3, 2025

A walking miracle — patient receives three major surgeries sequentially

The patient, Theresa Stratman of Louisville, Kentucky, is now able to get to her continuing medical appointments and live without medical oxygen.
By Matt Batcheldor
October 9, 2025

Study to explore risk factors for heart disease in patients with cirrhosis and liver transplant recipients

The NIH-funded study will be the first U.S.-based prospective investigation of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in patients with severe liver disease.
By Matt Batcheldor
October 2, 2025

New model to assess antibiotic allergies found to benefit transplant patients

By delabeling multiple antibiotics in the same visit, the Vanderbilt Health team can reduce the number of visits from patients.
By Matt Batcheldor
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