Matt Batcheldor Archive — Page 2 of 50

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
The team from Ukraine included (front row, from left) Yevhen Haidarzhi, MD, PhD, Andrii Zhylenko, MD, (back row, from left) Oleksandr Dubnevych, MD, Illia Yeremieiev, MD, and Vlad Kropelnytskyi, MD. (photo by Susan Urmy)
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