Transplant

December 20, 2022

Last Christmas, I knew a liver transplant was my only chance to survive. This holiday, I’m alive because of the ultimate gift.

It never leaves my thoughts that someone I don’t know made it possible for me to still be here.

By John Howser
Visiting Ukrainian surgeons review the transplant schedule with Dawn Eck, ACNP-BC, MMHC, NEA-BC.
December 8, 2022

Ukrainian surgeons visit VUMC to observe transplant protocols

A group of doctors from Ukraine recently visited Vanderbilt to observe transplants and protocols as part of an initiative to establish a lung transplant program and improve heart transplantation in the war-torn country.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 31, 2022

VUMC nurse Kendra Kilgore received a liver transplant as a teenager. Then her teenage daughter needed one, too.

Kendra’s experince helped her daughter Carissa: “I was able to explain to her from a first-hand view what it was like, not as a nurse, but as someone who went through it.”

By Jessica Pasley
Beatrice Concepcion, MD, left, Kathy Jabs, MD, and Rachel Forbes, MD, MBA, pose at Monday’s event celebrating the 60th anniversary of Vanderbilt’s first kidney transplant.
October 27, 2022

Kidney Transplant Program celebrates 60th anniversary

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center is celebrating its 60th anniversary of its first kidney transplant, performed on Oct. 3, 1962. Since then, VUMC has performed more than 7,000 kidney transplants, of which Walker was one of the earlier cases.

By Matt Batcheldor
September 29, 2022

Suzie Brown, singer-songwriter, meet Dr. Suzanne Brown Sacks, transplant cardiologist

Her twin passions for music and for medicine brought her to Nashville and to VUMC

By Matt Batcheldor
Mervyn Joseph traveled from South Africa to receive his lung transplant at Vanderbilt.
September 29, 2022

Patient journeys from South Africa for lung transplant

Mervyn Joseph, who searched the world over for the best place to be considered for lung transplant, is thankful he found Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Matt Batcheldor
September 15, 2022

Patient’s care journey included LVAD, bariatric surgery, transplant

When Veronica Llamas-Barajas received a heart transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in April, it was the culmination of a seven-year journey.
By Matt Batcheldor
September 8, 2022

Transplant docuseries lauded by Donate Life Hollywood

“Last Chance Transplant,” the docuseries filmed at Vanderbilt in conjunction with 44 Blue Productions and Rock’n Robins Productions, received the 2022 Inspire Award on Thursday, Aug. 25, from Donate Life Hollywood.
By Kylie Avery
August 11, 2022

A story of family and faith: Jennifer received a kidney transplant. The donor was Capri, who is married to Dennis. Jennifer is Dennis’ ex-wife. It’s complicated.

The extended family has grown closer as a result of Capri's generosity. She says her faith led her to the decision.
By Matt Batcheldor
May 25, 2022

Study seeks to improve gender equity for liver transplantation waiting list

Women who need a liver transplant are more likely to spend more time on a waiting list, become too sick for transplant or die compared to men. To improve equity, a recently published Vanderbilt-led study suggests a sex adjustment to criteria for MELD (model for end-stage liver disease), which determines allocation of transplanted livers.
By Matt Batcheldor
May 9, 2022

Gene variants and transplant drug dose

Genotyping multiple enzymes that metabolize the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus — common used for lung transplant recipients — is important for correct dosing of the drug, Vanderbilt researchers found.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 6, 2022

Janet Darnell received a lifesaving lung transplant. Five months later she received lifesaving surgery for colon cancer. She calls herself a “walking miracle.”

Without the lung transplant, the cancer may never have been detected.
By Matt Batcheldor
May 4, 2022

Liver transplant program marks 30th anniversary

This May, the Vanderbilt Transplant Center is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its first liver transplant.
By Matt Batcheldor
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