Highlights for 2008 -2009 include:

• Ongoing commitment to superior patient outcomes with 100% 1 year survival in 2008.
• Cutting Edge Research: to seek advances in the care of lung transplant patients
  • a prospective polyomavirus study in lung transplant recipients,
  • multi center study of primary graft failure in lung transplantation,
  • a lung transplant tissue and serum bank,
  • a new treatment for RSV in lung transplant recipients,
  • a study comparing GI side effects of cellcept and myfortic,
  • quality of life post-transplant.
• New medical leadership for the Lung Transplant Program with Dr. Ivan Robbins serving as Interim Medical Director.
• Dr. Eric Grogan has come from the University of Virginia to join the program as a transplant surgeon.
• Dr. Pali Shah has come from Johns Hopkins University to join the program as a transplant pulmonologist and associate program director.

Vanderbilt Medical Center offers a highly specialized center for medical patients with diseases that are primary indications of lung transplantation, and the Lung Transplant Program is a necessary complement to their treatment. Specialized centers include the Pulmonary Vascular Center, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Center, Lung Volume Reduction Clinic, and Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. Medicine and surgery work together closely with lung transplant patients, rounding twice a day, as well as being on call around the clock.

We want to thank you again for your continued support and many referrals to the Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Program. Our experienced team of surgeons, physicians, nurses, and administrative staff are dedicated to combining the latest medical and technical advances in transplantation with timely, compassionate, and personalized care. As always, we welcome any suggestions or comments you may have so that we may continue to provide the best possible service to you and your patients.

Sincerely,

Eric S. Lambright, M.D. Ivan Robbins, M.D.
Surgical Director Medical Director