UF Health liver, kidney and lung transplant programs top in Florida, No. 5 in U.S.
UF Health Shands Hospital has been performing abdominal transplants for more than 50 years. The program's outcomes are not only a reflection of the team's commitment to excellence and superior patient care, but also the organization's. Photo by Jesse Jones.
University of Florida (UF) Health News
By Dorothy Hagmajer
Gainesville, Florida - UF Health’s lung, liver, and kidney transplant programs are the state’s best and in the top 5 nationwide.
Every six months, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, or SRTR, evaluates transplant centers across the United States through a comprehensive five-tier assessment focused on crucial transplant metrics: survival while on the waiting list, the time it takes a patient to get a transplant, and one-year organ survival after surgery.
UF Health Shands ranked No. 1 nationally for liver transplants, No. 2 in kidney transplants, and No. 4 in lung transplants.
UF Health’s liver transplant program has held its No. 1 national ranking among 152 programs for three SRTR rating periods, or 1½ years. The program, led by Thiago Beduschi M.D., has the nation’s highest one-year patient survival rate, at 99%.
“Being able to give patients more time with their loved ones is one of the best aspects of this work,” Beduschi said. “Our program is multidisciplinary, and each member of our team, including hepatologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, coordinators, and more, keep this at the forefront of how we guide our clinical practice.”
As director of the abdominal transplant program, Beduschi has been instrumental in keeping its volume high while maintaining patient safety and care, despite the conditions of many patients seeking an organ. Roughly 44% of patients who undergo a transplant at UF Health are in the ICU at the time of the procedure, while the regional average is 20%, and the national average is 17%.
In short, the team cares for some of the sickest patients — and continues to work hard so they not only survive the transplant, but flourish.
“My team is very familiar with critical cases, and we are proud to possess the expertise to treat those who require specialized care,” Beduschi said.
UF Health’s kidney transplant program has held its position at No. 2 in the country among 256 programs for the past 1½ years. The program’s one-year survival rate is 98%, and the program has the highest survival rate among centers performing more than 100 transplants annually.
“Our team is dedicated to every patient’s journey, from listing to postsurgical recovery,” said Georgios Vrakas, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D., surgical director of the kidney transplant program. “Each transplant reflects our commitment to improving lives, treating every patient like family, and providing exceptional care and support throughout their journey.”
UF Health’s lung transplant program also stands out for its exceptional patient care and surgical expertise, ranking first in Florida and fourth in the nation. According to SRTR, patients at UF Health are far less likely to die before their transplant compared with the national average.
“It was vital to us that our patients not only undergo a successful procedure but also receive exceptional clinical support during the waiting period for a transplant,” said Amir M. Emtiazjoo, M.D., M.Sc., medical director of the lung transplant program. “We aim for each part of the transplant process to be seamless.”
UF Health is also distinguished by its high survival rates. Ranked No. 4 in the nation for one-year patient survival, the program has improved its one-year survival rate to 95%. Additionally, it ranks second in the country for three-year patient outcomes, with a survival rate of 84%.
“This clinical care before the transplant, which helps patients remain healthy while awaiting an organ, also helps ensure high survival rates at the one-year and three-year mark,” said Mindaugas Rackauskas, M.D., Ph.D., surgical director of the lung transplant program.
“When it comes to undergoing lung transplant surgery for end-stage lung disease, patients and their families trust in our program,” he continued. “Consistent, stable program outcomes support our commitment and dedication to critically ill patients, focusing on their successful recovery and postoperative quality of life.”