Transplant Center History
Through our dedicated efforts in education, research and clinical medicine, Nebraska Medicine has become world-renowned for transplantation care. Since the program’s inception over 9,200 organs have been transplanted.
- Founded in 1970, Nebraska Medicine's kidney transplant program performed the first kidney transplant in Nebraska. Also that year we performed our first living kidney donor transplant. Today, the kidney program is one of the most active programs in the Midwest.
- In 1985, the program became one of the first in country to perform both adult and pediatric liver transplants.
- Our kidney-pancreas transplant program was one of the first of its kind when it stated in 1989. Since then the program has earned Medicare designation and consistently ranks among the top five centers performing these transplant procedures for adults.
- In 1990, the intestinal transplant program was developed and among the first to begin performing combined liver and intestinal transplants.
- In 1991, Nebraska Medicine began its pancreas alone program.
- In 1992, the liver program completed its first living liver donor transplants.
- In 1993, the program became one of the first to perform isolated intestinal transplants.
- In 1994 and over the course of 6 years completed 29 heart transplants. The heart transplant program discontinued in 1999.
- In 1995 and over the course of 4 years completed 21 lung transplants. The lung transplant program discontinued in the fall of 1998.
- In 1999, the Lied Transplant Center was opened. A partnership between the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine, it provides UNMC researchers and multi-disciplinary healthcare professional’s greater opportunities for interaction and collaboration. This unique environment allows our clinicians and researchers to develop innovative practice models in transplantation that are often essential to provide optimal care.
- In 2004, the program had its first LVAD procedure and continues to rank in the top three programs nationally.
- In 2005, the heart transplant program was restarted and remains a leader within the field.
- In 2007, the intestinal transplant program performed more intestinal transplants than any other program in the country. Today, the intestinal failure program is one of the busiest and well-known in the United States.
- In 2010, the program performed its first heart-kidney transplant.
- In 2012, the program performed its first heart-liver transplant.
- In 2013, a formalized islet-auto transplant clinic was formed specializing in pancreatobiliary disorders. In the same year, the first total pancreatectomy with islet-auto transplant was performed. Currently, the clinic remains the only one of its kind in the region to offer expert care in one location.
- 2015 marked the re-emergence of the once successful lung transplant program.
Since 1970 our program has been working to shape the field of transplantation and to provide hope and life for thousands of patients. Our team consists of a variety of physicians and clinicians specializing in transplantation and other multi-disciplinary specialties to ensure patients receive the most comprehensive care possible.
Through our dedicated efforts in education, research and clinical medicine, we have become world-renowned for transplantation care. Our ground-breaking procedures in liver transplantation and resections for Hepatobiliary cancers are providing new hope for patients who were once deemed inoperable. We are a national leader in intestinal transplantation and have a unique Intestinal Rehabilitation Program dedicated to offering non-transplant therapies for patients with intestinal failure.
New immosuppressant protocols, living-donor options and the latest research in islet cell transplantation have been at the forefront of our kidney program, and we are one of the most active centers for pancreas transplantation in the Midwest. The experts in our heart transplant program offer individualized medical and surgical treatment plans for patients with heart failure ensuring they receive the most innovative options in the country.
At Nebraska Medicine, we understand that every patient and diagnosis is unique. We also realize that this can be one of the most challenging times of a patient's life. That is why we include patients, their families and primary physicians as important partners in developing a customized treatment plan and ensuring that they have the support and help they need every step of the way. When the care required needs the most innovative, cutting-edge and unique services available, Nebraska is the place.
Alan Langnas, DO
