AdventHealth Porter Transplant Institute celebrates growth, innovation and lives transformed

DENVER, Colo. — For patients waiting for a second chance at life, time matters. So does trust, compassion, and the belief that healing is possible. Over the past year, AdventHealth Porter Transplant Institute experienced meaningful growth not just in volume, but in the number of lives renewed and families reunited through transplant care.

In 2025, the Institute completed 120 kidney transplants and 29 liver transplants, the highest annual totals in the program’s history. Each transplant represents more than a milestone. It reflects a person who can return to daily life, a family moving forward together, and a future filled with renewed hope.

Growth guided by purpose

This growth was driven by a clear focus on serving patients more fully and more equitably. The Institute expanded its hepatology and transplant surgery teams, strengthened pre-transplant care with additional advanced practice providers, and welcomed eight new team members across nursing, pharmacy, medical assisting, and referral coordination.

At the same time, advances in organ perfusion technology allowed more donated organs to be preserved and successfully transplanted, expanding access for patients who may have had fewer options in the past. Paired kidney exchange transplants and new protocols for Hepatitis C–positive and expanded ABO-compatible kidneys also helped more patients receive the life-saving care they needed.

Innovation that opens doors

Innovation at AdventHealth Porter is never about technology alone. It is about removing barriers and helping patients move forward with clarity and confidence.

This year, teams introduced process improvements to support more timely evaluations and smoother journeys to transplant, including enhanced referral management, improved waitlist monitoring, and the addition of FibroScan imaging in clinic for non-invasive liver assessment. New pathways such as A2-to-B kidney transplants and Hepatitis C–positive transplant options have opened doors for patients who may have been declined elsewhere, while maintaining strong outcomes and safety.

Care that takes a team

Transplant care is truly a team effort. Physicians, nurses, transplant coordinators, pharmacists, and support staff work side by side with colleagues across the hospital, including the ICU, operating room, inpatient units, imaging, laboratory services, cardiac testing, interventional radiology, gastroenterology, dialysis, outpatient infusion, registration, and revenue cycle teams.

That spirit of collaboration also extends beyond the main campus. The Institute now supports six kidney and eight liver satellite clinics, partnering closely with referring providers across Colorado and neighboring states to bring expert transplant care closer to home.

“It takes everyone before, during, and after surgery to prepare patients for transplant and support them through recovery,” transplant leaders shared. “That shared commitment allows us to serve more people safely and compassionately.”

What sets AdventHealth Porter apart

AdventHealth Porter’s transplant program is recognized for its personalized approach and commitment to early evaluation. The Institute performs living donor kidney transplants at twice the national average and achieves preemptive transplant rates that exceed national benchmarks. These outcomes reflect a focus on seeing patients early, communicating clearly, and caring for each individual as a whole person.

The program’s willingness to innovate, evaluate patients sooner, and use advanced donor technologies continues to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes for those it serves.

Looking ahead with hope

As the Transplant Institute looks to the year ahead, momentum continues to build. Priorities include continued growth, expanded organ perfusion capabilities, broader access through satellite clinics, and strong performance within the CMS IOTA model for outcomes, volume, and organ acceptance.

Above all, the work remains grounded in AdventHealth’s mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ.

“Our goal is simple,” leaders shared. “To bring transplant to more patients and help restore them to health. Every transplant is a life transformed.”

With gratitude

To every team member who made this year possible: thank you. Growth brings complexity and challenge, but through teamwork, resilience, and shared purpose, the AdventHealth Porter Transplant Institute continues to help more people feel whole.

And to the community, including patients who were once told transplant was not an option: AdventHealth Porter is honored to walk alongside you. Here, care is guided by compassion, dignity, and expertise, and hope is always within reach.