kidney transplant

Margaret Drewes and her son, Everett, at home after recovering from their surgeries.
June 9, 2025

Mother and son help form a kidney donation chain that eventually involved six people

The chain is a system where a series of incompatible living donor-recipient pairs are connected, allowing recipients to receive a compatible kidney from an altruistic donor.

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
Siblings Shayli and Shafer Daves at home following the transplant. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 22, 2025

Sister’s kidney donation to her brother is a dream come true

The siblings, both recovering from surgery, admitted they were best friends, a bond that has grown even deeper since the transplant.

By Jessica Pasley
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
Martin Montenovo, MD, left, and Wali Johnson, MD, perform a liver transplant in 2024. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
February 11, 2025

Vanderbilt Transplant Center reaches new heights in 2024, now the nation’s third busiest 

Through dramatic growth, the VTC is now the nation’s third busiest transplant center by volume, saving 136 more critically ill patients in calendar year 2024 than in 2023.

By Matt Batcheldor
Robert E. Richie, MD
January 16, 2025

Kidney transplant leader Robert Richie is mourned

He helped build one of the leading kidney transplant programs in the country, both in terms of the number of transplants performed annually, and in long-term organ function and patient survival rates.

By Wayne Wood and Bill Snyder
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
May 1, 2024

Iroquois Steeplechase set for Saturday, May 11

The Iroquois Steeplechase, Nashville’s iconic sporting event benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has named its honorary co-chairs and child ambassador for the 2024 race, set for Saturday, May 11.
By Jessica Pasley
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
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
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
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
January 13, 2022

Eighteen years ago Kanisha Sizemore got a new kidney and pancreas. With her job in the Transplant Pharmacy she gives patients hope and perspective.

“Being a transplant recipient is a blessing, but it is also life changing in several ways."
By Matt Batcheldor