The joint operating leadership of the UAB Health System recently announced the launch of its Comprehensive Transplant Institute (CTI), a novel entity created to ensure continued and dedicated resources and support for its world-renowned solid organ transplantation programs. "At UAB, transplantation has always been a flagship program, highly respected and at the core of our medical enterprise," noted Dr. Will Ferniany, CEO. "The landscape of health care is changing and the new CTI will provide the framework to ensure patients seeking transplantation at UAB will continue to have access to high quality, cutting edge therapy." 

UAB's Comprehensive Transplant Institute will assume responsibility for clinical operations related to heart, kidney, liver, lung and pancreas transplantation under the directorship of Robert S. Gaston, MD, and co-directorship of Devin E. Eckhoff, MD and Charles W. Hoopes, MD. "Solid organ transplantation is a ‘team effort,' noted Eckhoff, "with successful programs resulting from multidisciplinary collaboration across shared platforms that include components such as histocompatibility and informatics." The new CTI squarely integrates physician and administrative leadership in transplantation to achieve its goals of delivering outstanding, compassionate, state-of-the-art care, promoting research in transplantation and immunology, and training the next generation of transplant leaders. 

At UAB, over 12,000 patients have received organ transplants over almost 50 years, making its programs among the nation's largest and most respected. Gaston expressed optimism that the CTI will not only enable UAB to build on its tradition of clinical excellence, but also provide new opportunities in transplant education and research.  "While success rates continue to improve across all organs, many challenges remain if we intend to deliver the full benefit of transplantation to those most in need. The promise of the CTI is its demonstration of ongoing commitment to keep UAB at the forefront in addressing these challenges."