Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation

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
David Shaffer, MD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
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
April 3, 2025

Tennessee’s first successful kidney transplant using new organ preservation technology performed at Vanderbilt University Hospital

The advanced preservation technology for kidney transplantation is designed to expand the donor pool.

By VUMC News and Communications
October 7, 2024

Skydiving, bungee jumping, deer hunting and the World Transplant Games: 13 years after getting her new kidney, Sheila Spann keeps living life to the fullest

All that’s in addition to her day jobs as a pharmacist and diabetes educator just outside of Jackson, Mississippi.

By Matt Batcheldor
Wali Johnson, MD, left, and Rachel Forbes, MD, MBA, were among the surgeons who performed an unusually high number of kidney transplantations in 48 hours. (photo by Erin O. Smith and Diana Duren)
September 16, 2024

Dedication, teamwork key to performing 10 kidney transplants in two days

Why were there so many kidney transplants in a weekend?
Rachel Forbes, MD, MBA, said it was purely happenstance. All the transplants were the result of matching kidneys from deceased donors being discovered at once for 10 patients.

By Matt Batcheldor
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
February 17, 2022

Patient’s donation triggers chain of kidney transplants

Mary Marlowe couldn’t have known it at the time, but her decision in January 2021 to give a kidney to a total stranger would set off a chain reaction that would result in four people getting kidneys in one week in September 2021 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Matt Batcheldor
December 9, 2021

Mary Marlowe decided to donate one of her kidneys. Four people received transplants as a result.

“It is amazing to see all the pieces come together from one person’s generosity.”
By Matt Batcheldor
October 1, 2020

Transplant program reaches milestone 10,000th procedure

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has completed its 10,000th organ transplant, a monumental achievement representing nearly 60 years of life-saving work.
By Matt Batcheldor
August 26, 2020

Kidney transplant patient returns home to joyous reverse parade

Lee Foster's friends and neighbors smiled, waved, honked and enjoyed cake pops
By Matt Batcheldor
May 27, 2020

Forbes named new chief of Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation

Rachel Forbes, MD, MBA, associate professor of Surgery, has been appointed chief of the Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation in the Department of Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, effective June 1.
By Jill Clendening
October 30, 2019

VUMC reaches milestone 6,000th kidney transplant

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center recently celebrated its 6,000th kidney transplant.
By Matt Batcheldor
September 30, 2019

Her dad needed a kidney; hers didn’t match. But through paired donation, her dad got a kidney and so did another person in need.

Her blood type was B and his was A. So they went to Plan B.
By Matt Batcheldor
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