AdventHealth for Children has partnered with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to create a world-class pediatric liver transplant program in Central Florida. One of the program’s first patients, Tegan, underwent a life-saving liver transplant as a baby and is now thriving. The program’s success rates are impressive, with a one-year survival rate of 95%, making it one of the top programs in the Southeast. Over 50 pediatric liver transplants have been performed at AdventHealth for Children, fulfilling a need for families in the region. Tegan’s story highlights the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on saving lives.
AdventHealth for Children in Orlando has partnered with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to establish a pioneering pediatric liver transplant program in central and north Florida. Since its inception in May 2018, the program has flourished, performing over 50 life-saving pediatric liver transplants. Tegan, one of the program’s early beneficiaries, underwent a successful liver transplant at just nine months old, transforming her health and quality of life.
The collaborative efforts of skilled surgeons from Pittsburgh flying in monthly allow AdventHealth for Children to provide top-notch care, boasting a remarkable 95% one-year survival rate – a feat that ranks it among the best in the Southeast and beyond. The program’s dedication to patient-centric care has seen it grow exponentially, meeting the critical needs of families in the region and filling a void that previously existed with only one pediatric liver program statewide. The success stories, like Tegan’s, underscore the program’s vital role in ensuring world-class medical care remains accessible locally.
Tegan’s journey from a fragile infant battling biliary atresia to a thriving kindergartener exemplifies the transformative impact of pediatric liver transplants. Her parents express immense gratitude for the donor who made their daughter’s life-saving transplant possible, emphasizing the irreplaceable gift of organ donation. As the program continues to evolve and expand, the call for organ donors becomes more pressing, with opportunities available for individuals to register and potentially save lives through organ donation.
