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VA Transplant Program

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VA National Transplant Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Transplant Program started providing solid organ transplants to veteran patients in 1961. Dr. Thomas E. Starzl performed the VA’s first kidney transplant at the VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. Since then, the VA National Transplant Program has expanded services to provide veteran patients with heart transplant services in 1980, bone marrow in 1982, liver in 1989, and lung in 1991. Most transplants are performed in specific VA medical centers across the country. VA also utilizes several VA sharing agreements with University affiliates and local emergency contracts for critical heart and liver cases.

In 1995, a national transplant office was established and is located in VA Central Office in Washington, DC. This office was established to assure that all veterans received equal access to transplant services and establish a central referral center. An 800 number was established for veterans and VA healthcare providers who are seeking information regarding the VA National Transplant Program. A computerized database was developed with almost 15,000 transplant records dating back to 1995. The VA National Transplant Program office received almost 1,300 referrals last year and performed approximately 375 transplants. For more information regarding the VA National Transplant Program, please contact your primary care provider or the VA National Transplant Program at 1.800.60.HEART (1.800.604.3278). (return to top)

The privacy of the veteran is of the utmost importance to the VA National Transplant Program. The patient information we receive and disseminate is private, highly sensitive, and must be protected. It is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. This conformity is required by the Privacy Act of 1974; 5 U.S.C. 552a, OMB Memorandum 99-18, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), et al.

Reviewed/Updated Date: June 13, 2008