Program Spotlight: A New Era of Hope
Rady Children’s has relaunched its Liver Transplant Program, led by Amber Hildreth, DO (medical director) and Jennifer Berumen, MD (surgical director for liver and kidney transplant). The program began with the Hospital’s first combined liver–kidney transplant and has performed six successful transplants so far, with living donor transplants planned later this year.
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Innovation: Split liver transplants can help both an adult and a child.
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Team: Surgeons, hepatologists, anesthesiologists, psychology, transplant coordinators, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians—working together.
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Local care: More families can receive lifesaving liver care in San Diego.
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Conditions treated: Biliary atresia, other cholestatic liver disorders (e.g., Alagille syndrome), liver tumors, liver failure.
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Waitlist reality: The team is committed to increasing living donation and using every safe innovation to save more lives.