Transplant

November 18, 2019

Madalyn Durbin’s dad just had a double lung transplant; surely there was no way he could make it to her wedding.

Never underestimate a father’s determination to be there for his daughter. As Madalyn started down the aisle, Terry stepped out and took her hand.

By Matt Batcheldor
November 13, 2019

Launch of living liver transplant program to increase availability of organs

VUMC is launching a living liver donor transplant program, significantly increasing the number of available organs for life-saving transplants.

By Matt Batcheldor
Vanderbilt Transplant Center members recently held a reception celebrating the 6,000th kidney transplant since the program’s inception.
October 30, 2019

VUMC reaches milestone 6,000th kidney transplant

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center recently celebrated its 6,000th kidney transplant.

By Matt Batcheldor
August 13, 2019

Tricia Burgess thought she had seasonal allergies. She actually needed a heart transplant.

“I didn’t even know I was sick. I’m thankful that Vanderbilt saved my life.”

By Matt Batcheldor
August 1, 2019

VUMC performs its first transplant using rehabilitated lungs

For the first time at Vanderbilt, doctors have performed a transplantation with donated lungs that were rehabilitated using a procedure called ex vivo lung perfusion.

By Matt Batcheldor
Elizabeth “Betsy” Barbour and her late husband, Richard, created a fund to help support Vanderbilt’s lung transplant patient assistance fund.
July 25, 2019

Couple’s transplant journey continues by helping others

Elizabeth “Betsy” Barbour and her late husband, Richard, created a fund to help support Vanderbilt’s lung transplant patient assistance fund.

By Nancy Humphrey
July 24, 2019

Patient who was too sick to attend daughter’s graduation recovering after double lung transplant

Bridget Perez could barely walk a few steps. Now she's walking laps at the Dayani Center track and marveling at how it feels to breathe again.
By Tavia Smith
May 8, 2019

Kidney transplant patient, brother share 40-year journey

In 1979, Patsy Williams and her brother, Barry Ford, made a decision that has given her many more years of life. Ford gave Williams his kidney at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. They recently gathered for a luncheon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Williams' transplant, along with dozens of their closest friends and family. She is thought to have lived longer with her transplant than anyone else who received one at Vanderbilt.
By Matt Batcheldor
May 2, 2019

More congenital heart patients becoming transplant candidates

Patients with a form of congenital heart disease — having only one ventricle (pumping chamber) — are now living longer lives due to the successful surgical and medical treatments they receive as children.
By Matt Batcheldor
April 25, 2019

Kristie Kuzy decided to donate a kidney to a stranger. Her generosity initiated the first three-recipient kidney transplant chain in the history of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The amazing and improbable story of how it all fell into place
By Matt Batcheldor
April 23, 2019

Transplant centers, patients unite to stop new organ sharing policy that threatens longer waits for a liver

Vanderbilt University Medical Center and 13 other highly regarded liver transplant centers have filed a lawsuit aimed at stopping Federal policy changes that are slated to take effect Tuesday, April 30, that will affect thousands of patients across the Southeast and Midwest waiting for donor livers.
By John Howser
March 25, 2019

Ten years ago, Mike Lavin was saved by a bone marrow transplant. A few days ago, he paid a surprise visit to the donor who made it possible.

“I really appreciate everything you have done. I’m here because of you.”
By Tom Wilemon
March 4, 2019

Karen Dyer Young cares for patients and members of the Dayani Center who have or are recovering from cancer or a stem cell transplant.

By Wayne Wood