Transplantation
UPMC is nationally and internationally known for its influence on the field of organ transplantation. Since 1981, the year transplant pioneer Thomas Starzl, MD, PhD, performed the first liver transplant in Pittsburgh, more than 12,000 transplants have been performed at UPMC Presbyterian and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, distinguishing UPMC as one of the largest transplant centers in the world.
Many of the world's top transplantation surgeons and physicians have been trained at the University of Pittsburgh. In many ways, UPMC has defined the field, from surgical technique, to nursing care, to lifelong follow-up care. Just as significant have been parallel advances with respect to organ procurement, organ donation practices, and advances that may allow some patients to avoid transplantation altogether.
Ten years ago, UPMC expanded its transplantation services internationally with the opening of ISMETT (Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Highly Specialized Therapies) in Palermo, Italy. ISMETT has grown into one of the leading organ transplant centers in Europe and has the highest one-year survival rate in Italy for liver transplant recipients. Learn more about ISMETT.