Froedtert & MCW Solid Organ Transplant

02/16/2026

💖 Heart Month Education: When a Heart Needs Extra Help

Did you know that some patients with severe heart failure rely on mechanical pumps called ventricular assist devices (VADs) to keep their hearts pumping?

VADs can:
• Help a weak heart recover after a heart attack or surgery
• Support someone waiting for a heart transplant
• Provide long-term support for patients who aren’t candidates for heart transplant

Froedtert & MCW’s cardiac team combines cutting-edge technology with compassionate care, offering patients a chance to regain strength, mobility and a better quality of life.

This Heart Month, take a moment to appreciate the lifesaving innovation and teamwork that keep hearts beating strong. 💓

02/14/2026

💚 Honoring Life and Generosity on National Donor Day 💚

February 14th is National Donor Day, and at the Froedtert & MCW Transplant Center, we pause to recognize and honor the selfless generosity of organ donors and their families.

The gifts entrusted to us give patients a second chance at life and bring hope to countless others. Every donation transforms lives, and we are deeply grateful for the compassion that inspires healing and new beginnings. 💚

02/09/2026

We’re proud to share that Leigh Anne Mixon, our Vice President of Transplant Services, serves as a co-captain for Team Wisconsin!

As a living kidney donor, Leigh Anne understands firsthand how impactful the Transplant Games are for individuals and families who have been through the transplant journey. The Games are truly for everyone — featuring competitions for all abilities, from pickleball and a 5K run/walk to Texas Hold ’Em and Trivia.

Team Wisconsin is an all-inclusive transplant team. From transplant recipients and donors to the professionals who care for them — no matter where in Wisconsin that journey happens — you’re welcome to join us.

02/05/2026

We were honored to welcome Milwaukee Bucks’ Thanasis Antetokounmpo to the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Transplant Center. 💙

Thanasis spent time meeting with patients one on one — sharing smiles, listening to their stories and hearing firsthand how transplant care at Froedtert & MCW has positively impacted their lives. He also stopped by one of our provider staff rooms to personally thank members of our care team who give their best to patients every single day.

Moments like these remind us how powerful connection, compassion and community can be in the healing journey. 🏀💙

02/04/2026

February is American Heart Month ❤️

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Wisconsin, and for more than three decades, our Comprehensive Heart Failure and Transplant Program has delivered outstanding outcomes for patients who need cardiac care – even those patients with the most complex heart conditions. As a leader in heart transplantation, our Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) program is recognized by The Joint Commission as an Adult VAD Destination Therapy Program.

We are also proud to be the first program in Wisconsin to use CARDIOHELP ECMO technology — providing critical heart and lung support and greater flexibility for patients being transported to our hospital for life-saving heart transplants.

This month, we recognize our teams, innovations and commitment to advancing prevention and heart care.

02/03/2026

Dialysis is a journey — and transplant can feel like a marathon. 💚

That’s why the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Transplant Center Community Outreach Program brings our Transplant Team directly into the community. By visiting dialysis centers in person, we meet patients where they are, help ease the stress of the unknown and make the transplant process feel more approachable.

Together, we’re supporting patients, providers and the future of Wisconsin health.

01/29/2026

One donation. Three patient lives impacted. 🩸❤️

If saving lives is your thing (it’s definitely ours), we’d love to see you at one of the upcoming Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin blood drives.

Schedule your appointment today:
Monday, Feb. 2
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11626813

Friday, Feb. 6
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11626814

01/28/2026

Yesterday, our Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Lung Transplant team came together to celebrate something truly special: 22 lives saved through our lung transplant program in 2025. 💙🫁

This is the highest number of lung transplants in the history of our program — and more than a milestone, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when an extraordinary team comes together with one shared purpose.

This milestone isn’t the finish line. It’s a launching pad as we set our sights on helping even more patients breathe easier in 2026. 🫁✨

01/23/2026

💙 Supporting Our Patients Every Step of the Way 💙

At the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Transplant Center, we understand that the journey to transplant —and life after— can come with challenges. No one walks this path alone.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce Allison Stephans, MSW, LCSW, our Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Counselor who works closely with our multidisciplinary transplant team to support patients at every stage of their journey. Allison provides guidance, resources and compassionate support as part of our comprehensive approach to care.

Our goal is simple: to help patients feel supported, empowered and equipped with the tools they need to protect their health and honor their gift for years to come.

Because caring for a transplant means caring for the whole person. 💙

01/19/2026

MCW Transplant Surgery Fellowship Opportunity – July 2026

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Division of Transplant Surgery is seeking a fellow to join our Transplant Surgery Fellowship starting July 2026 at the Clinical Instructor level.

Our program offers comprehensive exposure to liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation in a high-volume, academically active transplant center. This position is well suited for candidates interested in starting a formal transplant surgery fellowship or for those seeking a post-transplant surgery fellowship to further expand their clinical and operative skills.

We provide strong mentorship, broad clinical experience and opportunities for academic and professional development. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out, and we are happy to discuss how this position can be tailored to support individual career goals. Use the link below to contact us for more information.

The academic program of the Transplant Surgery Division is aimed at providing MCW surgical residents with experience in abdominal organ transplantation and related surgical procedures including organ procurement and vascular access in adults as well as in pediatric patients.

01/07/2026

A note like this, shared by a patient’s daughter, powerfully captures the impact of compassionate, patient-centered care. This is the kind of message that reminds us why we do what we do. 💙

To our teams: thank you for the extraordinary care you provide every day.

"As I reflect on this year, from how it began in January with my mom kicking off the evaluation process for a lung transplant, to how it’s ending with her spending Christmas with her family—breathing all on her own because of the most beautiful gift—I can’t help but be overwhelmed with gratitude.

To everyone who had a hand in my mom’s care this year, there are no words to describe how thankful I am for each and every one of you. I couldn’t possibly articulate how much it all meant: the dedication to every detail, the patience in your explanations, the answering of my many questions, and the reassuring smiles I could see and feel through your masks. You all are real-life heroes, and I’m in awe of you.

My dad passed away about six years ago, so my mom is all I have. Despite you having hundreds of patients like her, you all treated her like she was the only one you had, too—ensuring her care was always the top priority. That dedication is evidenced by her incredible recovery so far.

This experience has inspired me in many ways, one of which is to never hold back from telling people how I feel while I still can. So, to all of you, I hope you know how deeply appreciated you are. You have given me the greatest gift in the world: more time with my best friend, the "Mimi" to my daughter, and a light to so many who know and love her."
-Haley Dutton

01/05/2026

The NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) Donate Life Walk is more than a walk — it’s a movement. 💙 Today, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for an organ transplant. While most Americans support donation, too many still aren’t registered.

Each year, our Wisconsin community comes together to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation through a fun walk/run and silent auction, all in support of lifesaving work.

Join us and help turn support into action. ✨