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Understanding Organ Transplant

Welcome to the Chair’s Corner

Every day people of all ages and backgrounds become recipients and donors of a kidney, liver, lung or heart transplant. Organ transplantation is the process of surgically transferring a donated organ to someone diagnosed with organ failure. Organ donation is a special gift of life that can have a lasting impact on many lives.

UNC experts explain transplant evaluation, candidacy for transplant, the waiting list, donated organs and preparation for surgery and recovery, answering many common questions in “Understanding Organ Transplant,” our new Chair’s Corner podcast series.

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  • Andy Nelson, heading to the gym post-transplant

    Lung Transplant Patient Story – with Andy Nelson

    Andy Nelson is a person who has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and received a double lung transplant. He shares his story here as part of our series, “Understanding Organ Transplant.” Andy talks about the progression of his illness, his journey to getting new lungs, and his recovery since the transplant. “I progressed very rapidly. I’ve gone through some serious events in that pro … Read more

  • patty-chang

    Heart Transplant – with Dr. Patty Chang

    Dr. Ron Falk welcomes Dr. Patty Chang to discuss heart transplant in the final episode of the podcast series, “Understanding Organ Transplant.” Topics include evaluation for heart transplant, recovery and follow-up, and the differences between a heart transplant and a ventricular assist device. Dr. Chang is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology, and is … Read more

  • David Gerber, MD, and Skip Hayashi, MD, MPH

    Liver Transplant – with Dr. David Gerber and Dr. Skip Hayashi

    Dr. Ron Falk welcomes two UNC transplant experts, Dr. David Gerber and Dr. Skip Hayashi, to discuss liver transplant in the third episode of the podcast series, “Understanding Organ Transplant.” They talk about cirrhosis, the MELD score and how it is used, recovery, and more related topics. Dr. David Gerber is a Professor of Surgery in the UNC Department of Surgery and is the Chi … Read more

  • Alex Toledo, MD, and Karin True, MD

    Kidney Transplant – with Dr. Alex Toledo and Dr. Karin True

    In this first episode of the podcast series, “Understanding Organ Transplant,” Dr. Ron Falk welcomes two UNC transplant experts to discuss kidney transplant; they cover topics including benefits of an early transplant, living versus deceased donor organs, preparation and recovery from surgery, and more related topics. Dr. Alex Toledo is an Associate Professor of Surgery in the De … Read more

  • Kevin Howell

    Kidney Transplant Patient Story – with Kevin Howell

    In the second episode of the podcast series, “Understanding Organ Transplant,” Dr. Ron Falk welcomes Kevin Howell, who is a kidney transplant recipient. Kevin shares his story about getting sick and the challenges he had accepting reality. He talks about being on dialysis while working full-time, finding an unexpected kidney donor, and his recovery to health. “I would say don’t j … Read more