VCU wins approval to start lung transplant surgeries

VCU Health announced Wednesday it has received approval to start lung transplantation surgeries at its Hume-Lee Transplant Center, becoming one of three facilities in the state providing lung transplants.

“This will be extremely beneficial for the hundreds of patients living with advanced lung disease in Eastern and Central Virginia,” Dr. Marlon Levy, interim VCU Health System Authority CEO and interim senior vice president of VCU Health Sciences, said in a statement. “It removes the barrier of long-distant travel for those awaiting transplants and completes the continuum of care VCU Health can provide to those patients.”

Richmond-based United Network for Organ Sharing approved VCU Health’s application to conduct lung transplant surgeries, which often must take place quickly after an organ is received — and for some patients, requiring long-distance travel and staying away from home for lengthy periods.

According to VCU Health, the Hume-Lee Transplant Center in Richmond performs 37% of all transplants in Virginia. More than 1 million people in Virginia have chronic lung disease, and there are 930 people waiting for a lung transplant nationally, including roughly 30 Virginians. Inova Health System and UVA Health provide lung transplants, too.

“We are thrilled to expand our services to include lung transplantation,” said Dr. David Bruno, director of the Hume-Lee Transplant Center. “This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to say ‘yes’ to more patients in need, ultimately saving more lives and offering renewed hope to those battling advanced lung diseases.”