IU Health Transplant

08/29/2025

The transplant team at IU Health University Hospital surprised Dr. Andrew Lutz, Dr. Muhammad S. Yaqub and Dr. Plamen Mihaylov (not pictured) with a gathering to congratulate them on their recent promotions at Indiana University School of Medicine. Congratulations to Dr. Lutz (left) and Dr. Mihaylov on their promotions to associate professor of surgery and to Dr. Yaqub (right) on his promotion to full clinical professor. We thank them for their dedication to transplant patients and living donors at IU Health.

08/29/2025

It’s graduation day for cardiac rehab patient Ja’Karr, who received a heart transplant earlier this year.

08/18/2025

Kelly Pfeiffer is a nurse on the outpatient organ transplant unit at IU Health University Hospital.

08/14/2025

When Thuy Than was told she wasn’t a viable match for her husband’s kidney transplant, she didn’t give up.

08/08/2025

Taking the steps toward transplant
Franklin resident Ronald Wildman, 71, recently spent time in the IU Health Transplant Outpatient Clinic prepping for a workup. He and his wife Nancy had received “the call” that it was time for his transplant.
“We think this is it. We don’t really know what to expect, but they told us to get here,” said Nancy Wildman. Her husband had been diagnosed with liver disease in April of 2020, and is in the care of Dr. Marco Lacerda. He was listed for transplant in June.
As part of his work up, Wildman was wheeled to another floor of University Hospital for a chest x-ray. At IU Health, liver transplant recipients work with a team of transplant experts that include surgeons, coordinators, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, and financial coordinators. They go through various tests and screenings to ensure the best outcomes.
In 2024, the team at IU Health performed 215 liver transplants—204 adults and 11 pediatric. The combined total is the fifth highest volume in the U.S.
Wildman received his liver transplant on July 22. He was in the care of Dr. Chandrashekhar Kubal. A week later, he was sitting up in a chair recovering and looking forward to returning home.
Wildman and his wife are the parents of two children and have four grandsons. He spent much of his career working as a watchmaker and has also repaired stained glass in churches.
-By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

08/07/2025

We thank Debbie Murphy for her many years of compassionate care and congratulate her on her retirement!

After 50 years at Riley, Debbie Murphy leaves a legacy of care, compassion and clinical excellence.

08/01/2025

Waiting for discharge after transplant
As he waited for discharge after his kidney transplant, Randall Bland received a visit from IU Health’s Dr. Muhammad Y Jan, who cares for patients with advanced kidney and liver disease. Bland’s transplant coordinator is Audrey Rodgers.
Bland, 40, was diagnosed with Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in his 30s. The kidney disease causes scarring in the filtering units of the kidney, preventing the kidneys from effectively filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. The disease can be caused by various factors including genetics. Before his transplant Bland was on dialysis for four years.
Bland received his kidney transplant on July 10 and was ready to return home within a few days. Back in Columbus, Ind. he works for Upland Brewing Co. as a host and server. He enjoys collecting vintage toys, writing poetry, and traveling. For a time, he moved to California.
“When I moved back to Indiana, they said IU Health was the best for kidney transplant,” said Bland.
He and his girlfriend, Sarah Lyons, are the parents to five girls ranging in age from five to 17.
-By TJ Banes, Senior Journalist, IU Health, tfender1@iuhealth.org

07/28/2025

Dr. Fridell and members of the pancreas transplant team recently hosted special visitors involved with Breakthrough T1D Indiana & Kentucky. To learn more about the IU Health Pancreas Transplant Program, visit iuhealth.org/transplant.

Thank you to Dr. Jonathan Fridell and the IU Health Transplant pancreas team for generously hosting 2025 Children’s Congress Delegate Addison Scholtes and her parents, Bryan and Kelly. Addison, who lives with type 1 diabetes and aspires to a future in medicine, had the chance to learn from an incredible team—including a transplant surgery nurse practitioner, two transplant nurse coordinators, and a transplant pharmacist.

Dr. Fridell donates this meaningful experience each year to the Breakthrough T1D Indianapolis Gala auction. He serves as Chief of Abdominal Transplantation and Surgical Director of the IU Health Pancreas Transplant Program—one of the highest-volume programs in the country since 2007.

07/28/2025

Twelve-year-old Ja’Karr is the first patient enrolled in Riley’s new outpatient cardiac rehab program.

07/25/2025

A liver transplant restores the joy and spirit in this 2-year-old, whose name is Miracle for many reasons.

07/14/2025

Committed to providing the best care for Indiana families, Indiana University Health is the most comprehensive healthcare system with a personalized approach.