Loma Linda University's Transplant Institute is a world-class medical and transplant center. It is the only multi-organ, comprehensive transplant center in the region.

We have a 50-year track record of innovation and serve pediatric and adult patients from southern and central California regions, Las Vegas and beyond. Specializing in the liver, kidney, pancreas, stem cell and heart, the Transplant Institute is committed to excellence through compassionate whole-person care.

Pioneering infant heart transplantation

The biggest contribution Loma Linda University Health has made to the science of organ transplantation brought a global spotlight in 1984, when Leonard Bailey, MD, performed a revolutionary heart transplant on a newborn known as Baby Fae, implanting the heart of a baboon. Fae was the first infant in the world to receive a cross-species heart transplant, making medical history.

An integrated team approach

The Transplant Institute was formalized in 1993 to accommodate the growing need for designated transplant services. Since then, the Transplantation Institute has continued to provide exceptional care to transplant patients in a coordinated team approach that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dietitians and immunology specialists.

Quick Facts

50
years of transplant service
3,000
kidney transplants performed
808
heart transplants performed
"The Transplant Institute is the largest and most successful it has been in its entire 50 year history. We are transforming lives not only in our community but in surrounding communities that do not have transplant programs"

Outcomes

Overall, our transplant patients had a 99% survival rate in 2017

Our outcomes data on the UNOS and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) websites show our effectiveness in:

  • Limiting Our Patient Waiting List
  • Transplantation
  • Organ Donation
  • Matching Donors

Research

The Transplant Institute is currently conducting two clinical studies funded by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute.

United Network for Organ Sharing Accreditation

Our kidney, heart, liver, and pancreas programs are accredited by the United Network for Organ Sharing. This is a private, non-profit organization that manages the nation’s organ transplants under contract with the federal government.