Penn Transplant Institute
Unmatched expertise at the region's largest transplant center
With active programs in heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, islet, uterus, and hand transplantation, along with partner programs at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the Penn Transplant Institute has performed over 15,000 solid organ transplant procedures, making it the largest transplant center in the region. The decision to receive or donate a transplanted organ is a life-changing one. Our team at the Penn Transplant Institute honors your decision by providing exceptional care throughout the transplant process. With more than six decades of transplant experience, we offer unmatched expertise and a history of successful results. Our outcomes consistently meet or exceed the national average in all organ transplants.
We perform all transplants at the Penn Transplant Institute in Philadelphia. Residents of the Princeton and Lancaster areas can get pre-transplant evaluations, testing, and follow-up care close to home at Penn Medicine Princeton Health and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. Our team of counselors, nurses, physicians, and surgeons is here to support you through the journey of donating or receiving a new organ.
Our transplant specialties
Penn Medicine’s legacy of firsts in transplantation
The Penn Transplant Institute is a national leader in the field of organ transplantation and a signature program at Penn Medicine. Since developing one of the nation’s first kidney transplant programs in 1966, the Penn Transplant Institute remains at the forefront of the discipline, providing the latest technology and discoveries in transplantation.
- 1966: First kidney transplant
- 1986: First liver transplant
- 1986: First pancreas transplant
- 1987: First heart transplant
- 1991: First lung transplant
- 2001: First islet transplant
- 2011: First bilateral hand transplant
- 2018: First uterine transplant
Leaders in living organ donation
Our Center for Living Organ Donation performs more living organ donor transplants than any other center in the region. Living organ donation is a profound gift that saves lives and leads to better outcomes for recipients.
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.
Locations
Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.
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Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House
The Penn Transplant House offers a home away from home for transplant patients and families. Enjoy comfort, community, and support with affordable guest house lodging near the hospital for during your stay.
Patient stories
Kidney donation bonds two veterans forever
Air Force veteran Morgan Slaughter saw a post about another veteran in need. What followed was a selfless act that saved the life of a stranger.
Living kidney donor shares her experience
Living kidney donor Joanie Shappell details her experience at the Penn Transplant Institute to help others considering living donation.
New lungs, a new liver, and a new lease on life
Decades after a childhood diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, Donald traveled across the world to find transplant care he could trust at Penn Medicine.
With the gift of hands comes feeling like ‘a whole human’
Getting Luka Krizanac new hands took 16 years, a connection between a surgeon and his mentor, and surgeries on two continents.
Penn’s first COVID-19 lung transplant patient celebrates new life
Fred Rahmanian was the first patient with COVID-19 to receive a lung transplant at Penn Medicine, and the first in the state.
Back on her feet and breathing
The Penn Lung Rescue team kept Bri Iacona alive for four months with the most advanced form of life support before she could have a double lung transplant.