Sentara Transplant Center

The Sentara Transplant Center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital has helped patients live longer and fuller lives through a range of transplants for more than 50 years.

Our rich transplant history includes:

Experience
Sentara was the first in the region to perform kidney, heart and pancreas transplants.

Our transplant timeline:

2007: First pancreas transplant
2005: First Durable Dischargeable VAD implant
1991: First Temporary VAD implant
1989: First heart transplant
1972: First kidney transplant/living donor

Highly ranked care

The National Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients has ranked the Sentara Transplant Center as one of the top hospitals in Virginia for adult kidney transplant survival rates. This reflects the strength of our team, meaning that many patients go on to live longer and fuller lives after transplantation.

Medical expertise

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons, along with a skilled team of medical professionals, provide expert care before, during and after transplant surgery. Their advanced training equips them to manage even the most complex transplant cases with confidence and compassion.

Multi-organ transplants

Sentara is the only transplant center in southeastern Virginia with the specialized expertise to perform multi-organ procedures. This includes:

Kidney/living kidney transplant
Living donor remote location transplant
Heart transplant
Heart/kidney transplant
Pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplant
Pancreas and kidney at the same time (SKP-simultaneous KP) transplant
Ventricular Assist Devices, both durable and temporary

We are proud to be a trusted resource for patients and families, offering both clinical excellence and personalized support through every step of the transplant journey.

Sentara Transplant Center programs and services

The center currently performs a variety of transplants including kidney, heart, pancreas and kidney/pancreas transplants. In fact, Sentara was the first in the region to perform kidney, heart and pancreas transplants.

Care that’s close to home when possible

Our approach allows you to complete many of your pre-surgery tests and post-surgery follow-ups at Sentara facilities near your home. Less travel means lower stress for you and your family-and more time to focus on staying healthy and active.

Our personalized, community-based approach to transplant care

Expand All

Convenient testing and preparation

At Sentara, we know that preparing for and recovering from transplant surgery can be physically and emotionally demanding. That is why we offer a community-based approach to transplant care that helps reduce the burden of travel and keeps your experience as smooth and convenient as possible.

Once you are referred to our transplant team and determined to be a good candidate, we work to schedule your pre-surgery testing and evaluations at the Sentara location nearest to you whenever possible. This minimizes travel and keeps you connected to care without long commutes.

While all transplant surgeries are performed at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, many of your appointments and follow-ups can also be completed closer to home at Sentara facilities throughout the region. This approach helps reduce stress for you and your loved ones, allowing you more time to focus on your health and recovery.

Dedicated transplant coordinator

You will be partnered with a transplant coordinator who guides you through every step of the evaluation and preparation process. Your coordinator is part of our expert clinical team and may even be based at a location you have already visited, such as a specialty clinic or dialysis center.

Continuity of care

Our program is built around strong patient relationships. Unlike large academic or research hospitals, where you may encounter different teams throughout your care, our community-focused model means you will work with a consistent team that will get to know you and your needs personally. By the time you arrive for surgery, you will be familiar with the providers by your side.

A patient-focused transplant team

The Sentara Transplant Center offers a variety of transplants including kidney and heart transplants.

Sentara Transplant Center