On Sunday, November 25, the 100th liver transplant of the year was performed at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute, moving it one step closer to becoming one of the top 10 transplant centers nationwide. The transplant marked a record for number of liver transplants performed annually by a transplant center in the state of Tennessee. In addition to reaching this milestone, the Transplant Institute also surpassed its previous record for number of transplants performed annually at the facility by completing more than 200 transplants in 2007. The Institute projects to perform more than 230 transplants by year’s end.

“Everyone played a significant role in reaching these milestones,” said Daniel Stanton, administrator, Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute. “We’re all excited to see this program continue to thrive. The program’s success and increased volume mean that we’re saving more lives each year.”  

The transplant program began at UT Bowld Hospital in 1976. Methodist Healthcare assumed operation of UT Bowld in 2002. In 2004 transplant services moved to Methodist University Hospital and became the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute. Since moving to Methodist University Hospital, the Institute has more than doubled total transplant volume. 

“The bottom line is that we’re giving patients in the Mid-South better access to transplant care and better long-term survival rates than in most areas of the United States,” said James Eason, M.D., program director, Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute. “When I came to the Institute in 2006, one of my goals was to have this program recognized as one of the top 10 transplant institutes in the nation. I think our growing patient volume and better patient outcomes confirm that we’re continuing to move toward that goal.”

Pediatric transplant services are also provided at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.