The Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House
Housing assistance for transplant patients at Penn Medicine
Long stays away from home are often part of the transplant process. Having a comfortable place to come home to at night can’t replace your home, but it can ease some of the stress and make your transplant journey easier.
The Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House was created with the needs of transplant patients in mind. It’s a guest house rather than a medical facility, where you and your loved ones can take a break from the hospital and enjoy each other’s company. The house is designed to provide the space you need to rest without worrying about a long commute to the Penn Transplant Institute.
Located at 3940 Spruce Street in Philadelphia, the Penn Transplant House is only a few blocks from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, and the Pavilion. There’s plenty of parking and transportation nearby.
For a small fee, patients and their loved ones coming to us from far away can enjoy the Transplant House’s homelike setting. If you need additional accommodation for your loved ones, there are many low-cost options and fully furnished apartments, residences, and hotels nearby.
A home away from home
We understand that you might be missing home, so we’ve made the Penn Transplant House a warm and welcoming place.
The house’s walls of windows create an interior space full of natural light. The common areas offer opportunities to meet other families and caregivers who understand the stress and challenges of the organ transplant process. Many of our residents have made lifelong friends during their stay at the Transplant House.
Each of the house’s 12 sleeping rooms has accommodation for up to four people and includes a TV and private bathroom. The rooms have plenty of space for the equipment or personal items you bring. The grounds also include a serene, fully landscaped outdoor courtyard.
All residents at the Penn Transplant House have access to:
- Full kitchen with three workstations
- Pantry stocked with food staples
- Dining room
- Family room with gaming systems, games, and a TV
- Laundry room
- Fitness room
- Wi-fi and computers with internet access
- On-site maintenance and security
- Meals provided by volunteers in our Guest Chefs program
The Penn Transplant House is centrally located, with plenty of shopping and restaurants nearby.
Education and support for transplant patients and families
The house includes a center that provides self-care education for transplant patients and their loved ones. You also can attend support groups and participate in other activities. Even though the house isn’t a medical facility, we offer continuous outreach, support, and help during your stay.
History of the Penn Transplant House
The Penn Transplant House is named after Penn Medicine’s world-renowned transplant surgeon, Clyde F. Barker, MD, and was made possible through private donations. Many years in the making, the house opened to welcome its first guests in 2011.
Who can stay at the Penn Transplant House?
To be eligible to stay at the Transplant House, you must be traveling at least 40 miles from home to receive transplant care at Penn Medicine. Room availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Traveling to the Penn Transplant House
Plan your travel to Philadelphia and explore your housing and hotel options. There are many accommodations near the hospital ranging from low cost to luxury.
Be a guest chef at Penn Transplant House
Guest chefs are local volunteers who make meals for Penn Transplant House residents. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, please call the Transplant House manager at 215-662-4540 or email Edward Sockol at Edward.Sockol@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
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