Heidi Schaefer Archive — Page 1 of 1

Harold Scott was the first patient at Vanderbilt Health to receive a transplant of an HIV-positive organ into a HIV-positive recipient. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

September 17, 2026

Vanderbilt Health transplants first HIV-positive organ into HIV-positive recipient

Harold Scott of Lebanon, Tennessee, received the kidney transplant from a deceased donor in July. He is doing well and wants to spread the word about this new frontier in organ transplantation.

By Matt Batcheldor

July 28, 2026

Yasar Caliskan appointed Kidney Living Donor Program Medical Director

He is nationally recognized for his expertise and research interest in genetic factors that may influence donor outcomes and long-term kidney health.

Kascey Malone, CST; Brandon Petree, MD; Aaron Williams, MD; Yatrik Patel, MD; and Sean Bunch, RN; work around a patient during a heart transplant surgery. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

January 14, 2026

Vanderbilt Transplant Center nation’s largest after performing record number of solid organ transplants in 2025

Through dramatic growth, the VTC is now the largest transplant center in the country by volume, according to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing.

By Matt Batcheldor

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

Enock Adjei, MD, left, and Wali Johnson, MD, perform a liver transplant in February 2024. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

July 23, 2024

Vanderbilt Transplant Center finishes fiscal year with record 809 solid organ transplants

Vanderbilt’s adult heart, lung, liver and kidney transplant programs individually had record fiscal years, with 150 heart transplants, 90 lung transplants, 180 liver transplants and 333 kidney transplants. In addition, adult transplant teams performed three heart/lung transplants and four kidney/pancreas transplants.

By Matt Batcheldor

January 31, 2024

Record year for the Vanderbilt Transplant Center saves 739 lives

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center established a new record in calendar year 2023 for total solid organ transplants, performing 739 lifesaving procedures among its adult and pediatric organ transplant programs.

By Matt Batcheldor

December 19, 2023
Vanderbilt Transplant Center, Deaconess Health System partner to open new clinic in Newburgh, Indiana

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center has partnered with Deaconess Health System to open a new clinic in Newburgh, Indiana — Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s first in the Hoosier State.
By Matt Batcheldor
September 27, 2023
VUMC performs novel reoperative lung and kidney transplant

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has performed its first combined reoperative lung and kidney transplant.
By Matt Batcheldor
April 6, 2022
Schaefer named Adult Solid Organ Transplant Center medical director

Heidi Schaefer, MD, has been named medical director of the Adult Solid Organ Transplant Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Matt Batcheldor
May 11, 2020
Grateful kidney transplant patient donates masks to VUMC

“I was really excited to have the opportunity to do something for those who had done so much for me."
By Jessica Pasley

Heidi Schaefer Archive — Page 1 of 1

Vanderbilt Health transplants first HIV-positive organ into HIV-positive recipient

Yasar Caliskan appointed Kidney Living Donor Program Medical Director

Vanderbilt Transplant Center nation’s largest after performing record number of solid organ transplants in 2025

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

Vanderbilt Transplant Center finishes fiscal year with record 809 solid organ transplants

Record year for the Vanderbilt Transplant Center saves 739 lives

Vanderbilt Transplant Center, Deaconess Health System partner to open new clinic in Newburgh, Indiana

VUMC performs novel reoperative lung and kidney transplant

Schaefer named Adult Solid Organ Transplant Center medical director

Grateful kidney transplant patient donates masks to VUMC