Transplant Services and Programs

Liver Transplant

The physicians at the Virginia Commonwealth University Hume-Lee Transplant Center have been pioneers in both the treatment of liver and biliary diseases and liver transplantation. Our center performs over 200 liver transplants each year, including whole, segmental and living donor liver transplants. More than 2,300 patients have received liver transplants at the VCU Medical Center since 1988. Additionally, Hume-Lee's expert team pioneered the use of aggressive, multi-modal therapies for primary liver cancer and is one of few transplant centers in the nation to offer liver transplantation for the treatment of bile duct cancer.

Heart Transplant

Our heart transplant program was established in 1968, making it the longest running transplant program on the East coast and the second oldest in the United States. We have remained a leader in the development of heart transplantation, contributing to improvements in transplant technology, medications, procedures and management. Under our present program, we have performed over 700 transplants.

Kidney Transplant

Since the first kidney transplant occurred at Hume-Lee over 65 years ago, over 6,000 kidney transplants have been performed at our center, with patient and kidney survival rates that outperform national averages. We perform roughly 300 kidney transplants annually, and offer advanced treatments such as desensitization and blood-type incompatible transplants that allow us to evaluate and treat patients who may have been turned down by other centers.

Pancreas Transplant

Our center began offering simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants in 1993 and pancreas-after-kidney transplant for Type I diabetics with end-stage renal disease in 2002. To date, more than 200 patients have received pancreas transplants at our center, with patient and graft survival rates that exceed national averages.

Lung Transplant

Using the latest technology and evidence-based techniques, our highly trusted specialists are ready to help you breathe easier. We’re dedicated to delivering the best possible surgical outcomes for single and double lung transplants in a supportive and caring environment unique to VCU Health.

Learn about our lung transplant program.

Pediatric Transplants

Through our partnership with the renowned specialists of Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, we are pleased to offer transplantation services to our pediatric population. Our caring team of experts provides the most advanced care possible, and our living donation programs often allow the child to be transplanted by a loved one, improving outcomes and eliminating the need to be added to the wait list.

Minimally Invasive Transplant Surgery

Our newest surgical approach marries patient-centered care with forward-looking surgical technology, including robot-assisted and laparoscopic transplantation. We’re pioneers in robot-assisted surgeries. In fact, Hume-Lee was the first transplant center on the East Coast complete a successful robotic-assisted kidney implantation. Our dedicated team continues to identify, innovate and implement cutting-edge technology as we redefine transplant surgery — and improve our already strong patient outcomes.

Liver Tumors and Liver Cancer

Primary liver cancer (also called hepatocellular carcinoma) is cancer that originates in the liver. It is commonly caused by cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis and is one of the top causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Liver cancer is a very complex condition requiring expert care from an advanced team trained in the complex nature of the liver and biliary systems. Learn more about Hume-Lee's Liver Cancer Multi-disciplinary Clinic, where patients can see hepatologists, surgeons, and interventional radiologists under one roof to receive individualized and targeted care.

Hepatobiliary Surgery

Hepatobiliary surgery, or surgery involving the liver and/or surrounding bile ducts and gallbladder, requires the skill of surgeons specially trained in the complex physiology of the liver and its major arteries and blood vessels. The highly-skilled surgical team at VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center offers this expertise along with the support of a collaborative multi-disciplinary team dedicated to providing targeted care at each stage of the patient’s diagnosis and treatment process. Learn more about the conditions successfully treated by VCU's hepatobiliary team.

Cellular

In 2008, we began an islet cell transplant program, an emerging procedure that has become a viable treatment option for Type I diabetics.

Islet Cell Autotransplant

Hume-Lee is one of few transplant centers across the country offering pancreatic islet cell autotransplants for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. The procedure involves removing the patient's diseased pancreas, extracting its insulin-producing cells and infusing those cells into the patient's own liver which will then begin to produce insulin. This innovative treatment offers relief from the pain of chronic pancreatitis while still allowing patients adequate blood sugar control.

Vascular Access

Ours was the first vascular access program established in Virginia to address the quality of care for dialysis patients’ vascular access needs. Our multidisciplinary center concept brings together nephrologists, surgeons and vascular radiologists to provide complete dialysis access patient care in the most efficient, economical and high-quality manner.

Living Donation

The Hume-Lee Transplant Center also offers living donation for the liver and kidney.

 

Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis Transplant Program

As part of an ongoing effort to provide comprehensive transplant care to patients, we have implemented a unique program to transplant patients who suffer from severe alcoholic hepatitis — a condition that often disqualifies patients at other transplant centers. Learn more about the program.