Source: Matt Walker, University of Florida University of Communications
According to the Science Registered Science (SRTR), UF Health’s liver, kidney and lung transplant program is recognized as the best in Florida and the best in the United States.
SRTR evaluates transplant centers biennial based on metrics such as waiting list survival, time to implantation, and postoperative organ survival one year later.
In the latest rankings, UF Health Shands ranks 2nd in liver transplants, 4th in lung transplants and 7th in kidney transplants, achieving the highest points in each category. These are one of two national programs that excel in all evaluation areas.
Dr. Beduschi, Head of Transplant and Liver Surgery and Director of the Abdominal Transplant Program, focuses on ensuring high implantation volumes while maintaining patient safety. At UF Health, nearly 49% of waiting list patients have undergone transplants, compared with about 26% nationwide. The team is committed to helping some of the sickest patients thrive after the implant.
“We are honored to be one of the few over 150 in the nation to achieve up to 15 bars on a five-tier system,” Beduschi said. . “We are committed to continually improving and moving forward our mission of helping, caring, salvation, comforting and providing hope.”
The program also offers superior care beyond the operating room with a one-year survival rate of 99.7%. However, a 0.3% mortality rate motivates teams to strive for full survival.
“We take pride in providing the best possible care to those with important needs that are unacceptable to other transplant programs,” Beduschi said of the liver transplant program. “If we think we can help patients, we will do everything in our power to ensure a successful transplant.
