Programs and research
On a yearly basis, UW Health consistently performs more transplants than most hospital systems. Our wait times are among the shortest in the region, and our outcomes are excellent. Our transplant teams have the experience you need for the very best results.
Learn more about the quality of our program
Learn how to understand the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data
Visit our organ program pages to see current data by organ
COVID-19 Information
The well-being and safety of our transplant patients is always our top priority. For guidelines and information specific to transplant patients, please visit: COVID-19 Precauations for Transplant Patients
As one of the nation’s few comprehensive transplant centers, we serve adult patients requiring heart, intestine, islet cell, kidney, liver, lung and pancreas transplants and have the experience and skill needed to perform complex multiple organ transplants. Our pediatric team provides compassionate care to young patients requiring evaluation and transplant of the kidney, liver, intestine and multi-visceral organs. Our living donation program is among the nation’s largest and serves living kidney and liver donors. Our organ and tissue donation program is a HRSA best-practice site and leads the nation in serving deceased organ and tissue donors.
UW Health is part of an academic medical center. We create and test new ways to help transplant patients live longer and reduce risks for living donors.
Some of our current work includes studying new medicines that reduce the side effects of immunosuppression. We are also looking at ways to improve long-term survival rates for organ transplant patients.
Learn more about our transplant research and clinical trials.
As one of the nation’s largest transplant centers, we know how organ and tissue donation changes lives. Our team serves organ donors and their families, and teaches our partners and the community about the organ and tissue donation experience and the importance of registering as an organ donor.
Injury, cancer, diabetes, heart failure and other diseases can damage organs. Organ transplant offers new hope for a full and healthy life for people with end-stage organ failure.
At UW Health, we use advanced transplant techniques. Many of these techniques were created by our team and are now used throughout the world. Our personalized services separate our program from other large transplant centers. We welcome you to our transplant and donation family.
Our transplant programs include:
We provide heart transplants to treat heart failure and heart disease. Our wait times are among the nation’s shortest. We are one of just five centers in the nation transplanting hearts from cardiac death donors using a device that preserves heart function between donation and transplant. We use minimally-invasive techniques to improve their health and for some, as support while they wait for a transplant. We proudly serve Veterans as a Veteran’s Administration approved transplant program.
We are among the nation’s largest kidney transplant programs and offer many options for kidney donation and transplant. We provide both living donor and deceased donor kidney transplants.
Renal Autotransplant Program: Our program is the largest in the U.S. We provide diagnosis and treatment for patients with functioning kidneys who are experiencing loin-pain related issues and other issues that necessitate an evaluation for a renal autotransplant.
We offer living and deceased donor liver transplants. A liver transplant helps people with liver failure and some liver diseases, such as hepatitis C and cirrhosis. We proudly serve veterans as a Veterans Administration-approved transplant program.
A lung transplant helps people with advanced lung disease. We treat the most complex lung patients, including multi-organ transplants. Our wait times are very short, and our outcomes are excellent. We are proud to serve veterans as a Veterans Administration-approved transplant program.
We perform more pancreas transplants than any other program in the United States. A transplant may be an option if you are living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes or if your pancreas was removed.
Pancreas/kidney transplant — We are the largest combined kidney/pancreas transplant program in the United States. A pancreas/kidney transplant ends diabetes and replaces a kidney damaged by the disease. Learn more about our pancreas-kidney transplant quality
Autologous islet cell — An autologous islet cell transplant treats chronic pancreatitis. Your damaged pancreas is removed and your islet cells are placed in your liver where they make insulin. Learn more about our autologous islet cell transplant clinic
Our pediatric team provides kidney, liver and multiple organ transplants.
Our surgeons are experienced in multi-organ transplants. They work with their fellow experts in other organ programs to manage the complex care of patients who need more than one organ transplanted.
Our team focuses on you and your specific needs before, during and after your transplant and donation experience.
Living donation occurs when a living person provides a kidney or a portion of their liver to someone who needs a transplant. An organ from a living donor gives patients the best chance of a healthy life. At UW Health, we provide education, information and support to those considering the gift of a living donation. We honor and celebrate our living donors heroes.
Learn more about our living kidney and living liver organ donation programs.
We provide options for patients requiring housing while waiting for, or recovering from, transplant or living donation. These options include:
Our histocompatibility lab provides clinical services and research specific to transplant patients and donors to ensure the highest level of organ matching.
We link you by phone or in person to a mentor who received an organ transplant or donated an organ. Your mentor will share information about their experience and answer your questions.
Pharmacists with expertise in transplant will assist you with your medication education and management.
We provide ways you can help others better understand the importance of organ donation and transplantation:
Participate in our volunteer program. We provide training and education and offer a unique opportunity to help others through education and outreach.
Our team facilitates correspondence between recipients and donors.
Learn how we’re improving transplantation, read inspiring stories and discover ways you can save more lives by promoting organ donation.
It is a privilege to care for your patient who may need a single or multiple-organ transplant. A pioneer in this field, UW Health consistently performs more transplants than most hospital systems nationwide, with shorter wait times and excellent outcomes. We look forward to making the referral process as easy as possible while keeping communication with your office flowing.
Locations
Offering your child the most advanced medical care directed by UW Health pediatricians — all in a state-of-the-art, family-friendly facility with lots of amenities.
We offer pre-and post- transplant surgery services for adults at University Hospital in Madison. Our team serves pediatric patients at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison. We also serve pre- and post- transplant patients in Belvidere and Rockford, Illinois; and in Green Bay, Madison, Marshfield, Sparta, Waukesha and Wausau, Wisconsin.
Meet our team
Our team of transplant experts are known worldwide for their research, innovation and continuous focus on improving patient care. Their work to reduce transplant wait times, lessen the need for immunosuppression and improve transplant outcomes has forever changed the world of transplant and organ donation.
Together with our patients and families, we provide personalized care and education through every step of your donation or transplant journey.
Your transplant care team has expertise in issues specific to transplantation. Our experts include:
Adult and pediatric physician specialists in organ failure and transplant, cardiology, gastroenterology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology
Chaplains
Dietitians
Financial counselors
Health psychologists
Nurse practitioners
Physician assistants
Respiratory therapists
Social workers
Transplant pharmacists
Transplant surgeons
Transplant nurse coordinators
Patient and support services
We offer many helpful resources for before and after your transplant.
Perhaps you are grateful for the care you or a loved one received from UW Health. Or, you cherish living so close to a world-class, research-driven health care system that’s always there if you need it. No matter your motivation, every gift of any size means even better care for our patients.
