VUMC has achieved a significant milestone in its heart transplant program, surpassing 2,000 procedures. This includes 174 adult and pediatric heart transplants in 2024, more than any other individual transplant center has accomplished in a single year.
The recipient of the 2000th transplant, Wes Carter, a 37-year-old real estate agent from Pensacola, Florida, first encountered heart rhythm issues in his mid-20s. VUMC’s transplant program performed its first adult heart transplant in 1985 and its first pediatric procedure in 1987. Over the last decade, the program has expanded rapidly, having performed 1,000 transplants by 2017 and double this amount by 2024. VUMC’s program is now among the most active globally, having conducted more than 160 transplants in the past year alone.
Dr. Ashish Shah, medical director and chairman of cardiac surgery, recognized the importance of this achievement for VUMC and transplant programs in North America, emphasizing the employees’ commitment to excellence in patient care.
“Having the team of surgeons, cardiologists, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals be face-to-face with patients is one of the keys to maintaining effective communication,” Shah said. “Those meetings that force us to sit down in the same room are really important.”
Shah attributed the success of the program to the commitment of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team and the adoption of advanced medical technologies. Shah said VUMC has been a pioneer in utilizing hearts from donors after cardiac death, which has expanded the pool of available organs and improved transplant outcomes. In 2023, nearly half of the program’s transplants involved DCD — donor after cardiac death — donors.
“At the end of the day, it is a very strong [work] culture that allows us to do these great things, but we cannot underestimate the patient’s willingness to do these things,” Shah said. “It comes from the courage of these patients who are so desperately ill, they’re willing to take a risk.”
Shah said VUMC’s heart transplant team takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the emotional and psychological challenges faced by transplant recipients. Before the procedure, patients undergo psychiatric evaluations to assess their mental health. During the acute phase of transplantation, the team provides support through pastoral care, bedside nurses and child life specialists to assist both patients and their families. Post transplant, outpatient resources are realigned, and oftentimes former transplant recipients will offer peer support to those navigating the recovery process.
Melinda Pan, a sophomore majoring in engineering science, expressed satisfaction with the heart transplant program.
“Vanderbilt’s heart transplant team reaching 2,000 transplants is incredible, and it shows how much they care about helping people,” Pan said. “It’s inspiring to see how Carter got a second chance at life through this program and it’s amazing how medical advancements can change someone’s life completely.”
Morgan Lindstead, a senior majoring in neuroscience, shared her view of VUMC’s strategic use of donors.
“It’s especially interesting to learn how new technology to utilize DCD donors has helped VUMC reach this number,” Lindstead said. “I’m curious how other ongoing medical innovations could be helpful to reach similarly impressive milestones with other types of transplants.”
Dr. Kelly Schlendorf, medical director of VUMC’s adult heart transplant program, emphasized the importance of mental health support for transplant patients, highlighting the resources available to them.
“Our monthly virtual mental health support groups, led by our dedicated social workers, provide a vital space for transplant patients to share their experiences and gain support from others who truly understand their journey,” Schlendorf said. “We strongly encourage patients to seek out a local therapist or mental health specialist before their transplant to ensure they have a strong support system in place throughout the process.”
