Message from the Lung Transplant Program Director

Message from the Lung Transplant Program Director 

Welcome to the UCSF Lung Transplant Program, where we are dedicated to crafting personalized journeys for every patient, from pre-, intra, to post-trasnplant care and beyond. Since ’91, we have been on a mission to breathe new life into those battling advanced lung conditions. With over 1200 individuals already breathing better, we are not just changing lives, we are building a community of hope and resilience.

In 2023, we completed a record-breaking 95 lung transplants and 2 heart-lung transplants. It is a testament to our team’s dedication and the countless stories of courage behind each transplant. This milestone is about inspiring us to keep reaching for new heights. We also ranked #1 California and the west coast for the 2nd year in a row, and #1 for UNOS regions 5 & 6. Nationally, we are proud to rank 5th.

We are pushing the boundaries on all fronts. We are diving into groundbreaking research and embracing innovative techniques. We were the first to embrace innovations such as ECMO bridge to transplant, ambulatory ECMO, and ex vivo lung perfusion on the west coast. We are now diving into groundbreaking research on preservation temperatures that will lead to a paradigm shift on how lungs will be preserved in the future.

We remain the only center in the country to have better than expected outcomes following lung transplantation for 11 years straight (srtr.org). Excellence is not just a goal for us, it is our unwavering commitment. Every member of our team is fueled by this mantra, driving us to go above and beyond in everything we do. We are honored to continue serving our community and pioneering advancements that redefine what's possible in the field.