Vanderbilt Transplant Center

Heather O’Dell, MSN, ANP-BC, MMHC. (photo by Donn Jones)
June 11, 2025

Heather O’Dell named Vanderbilt Transplant Center’s Executive Director and Associate Operating Officer

O’Dell succeeds Edward Zavala, MBA, the VTC’s founding administrator who is stepping down from his administrative leadership role June 30 after more than 22 years of service to VUMC.  

By John Howser
Heart transplant patient Scot Pollard and his wife, Dawn. (photo by Donn Jones)
June 6, 2025

ESPN documentary chronicles former NBA player and VUMC heart transplant patient Scot Pollard’s journey

As a world leader in advanced cardiac care and organ transplantation, VUMC is committed to raising awareness and educating the public about the lifesaving impact of organ donation.

By Kylie Avery
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
May 28, 2025

Ed Zavala, longtime administrator of the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, to retire

Zavala was the first to receive the Leader in Transplant Administration Award from the OPTN/UNOS Transplant Administrators Committee for his significant contributions to and positive impact on the field. 

By Bill Snyder
Jimmy Sullivan talks about his family’s decision to donate the organs of his son, Asher, 10, following his death. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 6, 2025

Donate Life Ceremony celebrates organ donors and their families

In addition to honoring organ donors and their families, the ceremony salutes hospital staff who care for donors and transplant recipients.

By Matt Batcheldor
Team members visiting Vanderbilt from the Philippine Heart Center included (front row, from left) Melissa Morala-Caranto, MD, Apreel Marie Noble, MD, Avenilo L. Aventura Jr., MD, Emily Aventura, MD, Carina Dipasupil, MD, Liberty Yaneza, MD, Christopher Cheng, MD, (back row, from left) Christopher Ian Joseph De Guzman, RN, Ryan Andal, MD, Dennis de Asis, MD, Karl Derrick Sia, MD, Liza Santiago, RN, Earvin Jon Abaño, RN, and Edgar Tuazon, MD. (photo by Susan Urmy)
May 1, 2025

Team from the Philippines visits to observe heart and lung transplant programs

The delegation is planning to establish a new heart transplant program in the Philippines, serving a population of 115 million people.

By Matt Batcheldor
April 8, 2025

Patient’s journey a beacon of hope to those facing a life-changing transplant

Amanda Atkins is sharing her story to give hope to those facing a life-changing transplant and to give thanks to her organ donor who made it all possible.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 18, 2025

Scot Pollard’s journey took him from the NBA to the heart transplant waitlist

At 6 feet, 11 inches, he played in the NBA for 11 years on five different teams before retiring in 2008 and never had any heart issues that slowed him down.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 11, 2025

Vanderbilt Lung Transplant establishes new record

For the second calendar year in a row, Vanderbilt Lung Transplant has the busiest program in the Southeast and leads the nation in innovation in organ preservation and regeneration.
By Matt Batcheldor
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
January 31, 2025

How many surgical instruments are used to set the 2024 heart transplant world record?

A standard heart transplant requires surgical instruments spread across multiple sterile tables — from tiny vascular clamps to hefty retractors to keep the surgical field open.
By Holly Fletcher and Erin O. Smith
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
January 13, 2025

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
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