Source: Matt Walker, University of Florida Communications
UF Health’s liver, kidney, and lung transplant programs are recognized as the best in Florida and among the top in the U.S., according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
The SRTR evaluates transplant centers biannually based on metrics such as waiting list survival, time to transplant, and one-year post-surgery organ survival.
In the latest rankings, UF Health Shands is No. 2 for liver transplants, No. 4 for lung transplants, and No. 7 for kidney transplants, achieving maximum points in each category. They are one of only two programs nationwide that excel in every assessment area.
Dr. Thiago Beduschi, chief of the Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery and director of the Abdominal Transplant Program focuses on ensuring high transplant volumes while maintaining patient safety. At UF Health, nearly 49% of patients on the waiting list receive a transplant, compared to about 26% nationally. The team is committed to helping some of the sickest patients thrive after their transplants.
“We are honored that our liver program is one of the few out of more than 150 in the nation to achieve the maximum 15 bars in the five-tier system,” Beduschi said. “We are committed to continuously improving and advancing our mission to help, care, save, comfort, and provide hope.”
The programs also offer excellent care beyond the operating room, with a one-year survival rate of 99.7%. However, the 0.3% mortality rate motivates the team to strive for a perfect survival rate.
“We pride ourselves on being able to provide the very best care possible for those with critical needs who may not be accepted by other transplant programs,” Beduschi said of the liver transplant program. “If we think we can help a patient, we will do everything in our power to ensure a successful transplant — and care for them before the procedure, as well as after.”
