Transplant

On Jan. 15, Kascey Malone, CST, Aaron Williams, MD, Sean Bunch, RN, and Yatrik Patel, MD, perform one of Vanderbilt’s 184 heart transplants. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
August 12, 2025

Vanderbilt Transplant Center finishes fiscal year with new record of 918 solid organ transplants

This marks a second record-shattering year for solid organ transplants for Vanderbilt Health, surpassing last year’s previous record with an additional 109 lives saved. 

By Matt Batcheldor
July 17, 2025

New organ recovery technique could make more heart transplants available

The method, rapid recovery with extended ultra-oxygenated preservation, involves flushing the donor heart with a cold oxygenated preservation solution after death.

By Matt Batcheldor
July 11, 2025

Buying a new license plate could save a life — if enough people buy them

A portion of the funds will go to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and fund statewide education and outreach for organ donation.

By Matt Batcheldor
Martin Montenovo, MD, left, and Wali Johnson, MD, perform a liver transplant in 2024. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
July 2, 2025

Scientific advances helping to increase the number of available organs for transplantation

These advances include emerging techniques of rehabilitating organs that would once have been discarded as unusable.

By Matt Batcheldor
July 1, 2025

New lab for transplant, other specialized testing launches at Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories

The new Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory launched its first phase of testing June 26 and ultimately will fully support clinical testing for the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, the nation’s third busiest transplant center by volume.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 25, 2025

First pediatric liver-pancreas dual transplant performed in Tennessee

Phone call changes the life of family whose daughter with cystic fibrosis needed both a liver and pancreas transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
June 20, 2025

Vanderbilt Liver Transplant Service renamed in honor of C. Wright Pinson

Pinson, who is stepping away from his role as Deputy CEO and Chief Health System Office for VUMC on June 30, was a pioneer in the field of liver transplantation, founding the Vanderbilt Liver Transplant Program and establishing multiple transplant residency and nurse practitioner programs.
By Matt Batcheldor
June 18, 2025

Transplant patient’s long journey brings her from the Aloha State to the Volunteer State

She was turned down by multiple transplant centers between Honolulu and Nashville, deemed too sick, before the Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Program accepted her as a patient.
By Matt Batcheldor
June 17, 2025

Joseph Magliocca elected to transplantation network board

The OPTN is a unique public-private partnership that links all professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system.
By Matt Batcheldor
June 11, 2025

Heather O’Dell named Vanderbilt Transplant Center’s Executive Director and Associate Operating Officer

O’Dell succeeds Edward Zavala, MBA, the VTC’s founding administrator who is stepping down from his administrative leadership role June 30 after more than 22 years of service to VUMC.  
By John Howser
June 9, 2025

Mother and son help form a kidney donation chain that eventually involved six people

The chain is a system where a series of incompatible living donor-recipient pairs are connected, allowing recipients to receive a compatible kidney from an altruistic donor.
By Jessica Pasley
June 6, 2025

ESPN documentary chronicles former NBA player and VUMC heart transplant patient Scot Pollard’s journey

As a world leader in advanced cardiac care and organ transplantation, VUMC is committed to raising awareness and educating the public about the lifesaving impact of organ donation.
By Kylie Avery
June 5, 2025

David Shaffer leaves lasting legacy on Vanderbilt’s Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program

Shaffer led the kidney transplant program to become one of the largest in the nation and made significant contributions to clinical care, research, teaching and service.
By Matt Batcheldor