Kelly Schlendorf

Members of the transplant team pose for a photo after surpassing 200 adult and pediatric heart transplants. (photo courtesy of Ashish Shah)

Vanderbilt Health performs record number of adult and pediatric heart transplants during 2025

As in prior years, the success of Vanderbilt Health’s transplant program is a testament to the greatness of individuals and innovations alike and to the tremendous power of teamwork.

Heart failure patient questionnaire predicts hospitalization and mortality: study

Patients fill out the short, targeted surveys in a few minutes, either prior to arriving at their appointment or on a tablet in the waiting room before their visit.

Vanderbilt Transplant Center sets world record for heart transplants in 2024

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center had a banner year in 2024. The number of patients whose lives were saved by Vanderbilt’s heart transplant team far surpasses any previous total by an individual transplant center.

By Matt Batcheldor

Vanderbilt’s 2,000th heart transplant patient, Wes Carter, with his family: wife, Ashley, daughter, Presley (4) and son, Gentry (7).

January 6, 2025

Heart transplant program reaches new landmark

The recipient of the 2,000th transplant was Wes Carter, 37, a real estate agent from Pensacola, Florida, who first noticed an irregular heart rhythm in his mid-20s.

By Matt Batcheldor

Ashton Bertel, left, and Lexi Browning were among the patients who came to the pediatric transplant transition day. (photo by Susan Urmy)

April 1, 2024

Event introduces pediatric transplant patients to their new adult transplant team providers

VUMC’s adult and pediatric heart transplant programs recently collaborated to create a pediatric transplant transition day, a new event where pediatric transplant patients meet with their new adult transplant team providers to begin the transition to those providers.

By Matt Batcheldor

October 5, 2023

Study finds no difference in heart transplant outcomes using organs donated after circulatory death and after brain death

A Vanderbilt study found no difference in one-year survival and other outcomes among heart transplant patients who received their new organs from from donation after circulatory death and donation after brain death.