Lung Transplant
As one of the oldest lung transplant programs in the country – and the only one in Tennessee – the Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Program provides expert care for end-stage lung disease.
Conditions We Treat
- Fibrotic lung disease
- Other advanced lung diseases
Meet Your Care Team
In addition to our skilled surgeons, pulmonologists and advanced practice providers, your care team includes nurse coordinators and support staff to help you through the entire process.
Matthew BacchettaMD, MBA, MA
- Cardiac Surgery, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm
Caitlin T. DemarestMD, PhD
- Lung Transplantation, Robotic Surgery, Surgery for Diseases of the Esophagus, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm, Thoracic Surgery
Erin A. GillaspieMD, MPH
- Lung Conditions, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm, Surgery for Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer
Eric L. GroganMD, MPH
- Lung Conditions, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm, Surgery for Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer
Eric S. LambrightMD
- Lung Conditions, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation, Lung/Thoracic Cancer, Surgery for Diseases of the Lung, Surgery for Diseases of the Rib Cage and Diaphragm, Surgery for Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer
Jonathan C. NesbittMD
- Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Lobectomy, Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer, Thymic Cancer and Mesothelioma, Lung Transplant, Lung Transplantation
Katie A. McPhersonMD
- Allergy / Pulmonary and Critical Care, General Pulmonary Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Ivan M. RobbinsMD
- Allergy / Pulmonary and Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, Cystic Fibrosis, General Pulmonary Medicine, Lung Transplant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Ciara M. ShaverMD, PhD
- Allergy / Pulmonary and Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, General Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lung Transplant, Pulmonary, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Dawn H. EckAPRN
- Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Transplantation, Heart Transplant, Lung Transplant, Transplant
Why Choose Lung Transplant at Vanderbilt
- Knowledge and experience
Our team has performed more than 500 lung transplants and 20 combined heart-lung transplants, with survival rates exceeding nationally established benchmarks. Our specialists’ collective experience caring for all aspects of advanced lung disease and lung transplantation means the best possible care and outcome for you.
- Team approach
Our thoracic surgeons, transplant pulmonologists, nurse practitioners and coordinators work together to provide compassionate, personalized care. We work with infectious disease specialists, transplant psychiatrists, pharmacists and more to meet your physical and emotional needs. Our team also works with heart specialists to provide lifesaving lung-heart transplants.
- Advanced treatments
In addition to lung transplants, we offer other specialized therapies and treatments for advanced lung disease, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), lung volume reduction surgery for COPD patients who are not ready for lung transplants, and pulmonary endarterectomy for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. ECMO can help some patients recover from certain kinds of severe lung damage and perhaps avoid a lung transplant. We also use ECMO to care for extremely ill patients waiting for a transplant.
- Short wait times
Time is critical for people in need of a lung transplant. Our wait times for patients on the active transplant list are consistently shorter than national averages.
- Innovation
Our researchers are dedicated to developing new and more effective approaches to care. We not only apply the latest research, but also pioneer some of the latest innovations. You may have access to treatments before they are widely available.
- Support services
Our transplant center provides many support services, including social workers, transplant pharmacists and a dedicated nurse coordinator. They will guide you through the transplant process. We also offer a unique return-to-work program to help you resume employment and restore your emotional and financial well-being.
Tests, Treatments and Services
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
- Dual-organ transplant