Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the original pediatric heart transplant programs in the country, and after 30 years, the program continues to rank among the best.

For nearly a month, 15-year-old Trinity Scott sported a black canvas messenger bag filled with favorite books, lip gloss or school supplies. Her bag even had a name, “Alice.” But far from any ordinary bag, what was inside was literally keeping her alive.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center tied for first place as the busiest heart transplant program by volume in the United States in 2019.

Two transplant programs at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt reached milestones in 2019 for performing record numbers of heart and liver transplantations in a calendar year.

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

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.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center set a new record for total transplants among its five organ specialties in 2018 with more than 500 transplants.