VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center

04/06/2026

Every day, approximately 15 people die waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people. You have the power to help. Register to be a donor at donatelifevirginia.org

04/03/2026

Celebrating one year of our Comprehensive Liver Care Unit! One year ago, we opened this state‑of‑the‑art space with one goal in mind: to provide more seamless, compassionate care for patients facing advanced liver disease. With 39 private rooms, an outdoor patio, and specialized services all in one place, we’re proud to be elevating the patient experience for pre‑ and post‑transplant care.

Learn more about our complex liver care: https://bit.ly/4kPF109

04/02/2026

Starting May 4, 2026, VCU Medical Center’s 12th Street Parking Deck will permanently close and move to a new dedicated parking area located at 515 North 13th Street. Parking spots will be free for patients and visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3PDk79X VCU Parking & Transportation 🚗

04/02/2026

Congrats to all our VCU Health clinicians who have been recognized in Richmond Magazine's annual ‘Top Docs’ list! And a special shout-out to all the providers and team members who support transplant--David Bruno, Josue "Josh" Chery, Adrian Cotterell, Todd Gehr, Daniel Grinnan, Vigneshwar Kasirajan, Jason Kidd, Dhiren Kumar, David A. Lanning, Hannah Lee, Marlon Levy, Megan Lo, Scott Matherly, Mohammed Quader, Arun Sanyal, Amit Sharma, Richard Sterling, Flora Szabo, Khalid Taha, Stephan Weinland and Idris Yakubu. See more below ⬇️

More than 220 VCU Health clinicians have been recognized in Richmond Magazine's annual ‘Top Docs’ list! From routine checkups to chronic conditions, VCU Health is trusted to deliver exceptional health care when it matters most. See the list: https://bit.ly/41eCAMq Richmond magazine 🎉

04/01/2026

Today is the first day of National Donate Life Month and it's Donate Life Living Donor Day, too, when we celebrate living organ and tissue donors who save and heal lives!

In 2025, 7,237 people in the U.S. made the decision to give one of their kidneys or a part of their liver to someone waiting for a second chance at life. Thank you to all living donors for your remarkable generosity! 💙💚

Learn more about living donation at https://www.vcuhealth.org/hume-lee-transplant-center/living-donation/

03/31/2026

Dr. Seung Lee has successfully completed our first kidney transplant using the SP robotic system—the latest advancement in minimally invasive surgery. This cutting-edge technology allows for a single incision measuring just 5 cm, helping pave the way for faster recovery and fewer complications for our patients.

We believe Hume-Lee Transplant Center is the first in Virginia and the Southeast to utilize SP robotic technology for transplantation—marking another significant step forward in expanding access to innovative, patient-centered care.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to leading with innovation and bringing the most advanced surgical technologies to the patients we serve,” said David Bruno, M.D., FACS, director of Hume-Lee.

The SP robot’s advanced software delivers exceptional visualization and precision, enabling surgeons to operate with enhanced control—even in the most compact spaces.

To learn more about our minimally invasive, robotic surgery visit: https://bit.ly/4sHVCa1

03/30/2026

On National Doctors Day, we send a big "Thank you," to all of the doctors and healthcare professionals working tirelessly to care for patients and help save lives! 💙💚 Give thanks in the comments below to a doctor who helped you!

03/27/2026

In this PEOPLE story, we’re honored to celebrate Brian Walls and his granddaughter, Makaela Hayes, whose remarkable decision to become a living liver donor gave her grandfather a second chance at life.

At Hume‑Lee, we are endlessly grateful to living donors like Makaela—whose courage, selflessness, and compassion make stories like this possible. It’s a privilege to care for families like theirs and to walk alongside them on such a powerful journey. 💚💙

Read their incredible story here: https://bit.ly/4tczbcY

A grandfather in Virginia received a life-saving liver donation from his 25-year-old granddaughter. Brian Walls developed liver disease more than two years ago, and his health was in critical condition when they discovered that his granddaughter was a match.

03/25/2026

Next up, during National Nutrition Month, let’s Kelly Shehan, RD, CCTD, Clinical Dietitian.

What makes you most proud to work for VCU Health? VCU Health has a diverse patient population and offers many cutting-edge techniques, such as the first fully robotic living liver donor transplant performed in the United States.

What makes Hume-Lee unique? At Hume-Lee we give many patients an opportunity for transplant and a better quality of life when other centers may not have offered a transplant. “We won’t wait,” sums it up.

What drew you to your role? I was excited to be a part of a rapidly expanding liver transplant program that supports the complex nutrition needs surrounding the different stages of liver disease.

What are you most passionate about? What's the biggest reward for you in this field? I am devoted to helping my patients meet their nutrition needs, watching them overcome malnutrition and go on to enjoy many happy, active years with their families. Meeting my patients where they stand and helping them inch toward the finished line one day at a time is the best reward.

What message or advice do you want to share with the community? There are endless paths to a successful, healthy life. Never give up on yourself.

Thank you to all our nutrition team members for your dedication, expertise and care! ❤️❤️

For more information about our programs, visit: vcuhealth.org/transplant

03/23/2026

March is National Social Work Month! We are sending special thanks to the donation and transplantation social workers who help save lives and support donor families, living donors, recipients, and their families. Thank you to all our social workers for your dedication, expertise and care!

03/20/2026

During Kidney Month, check out the story of Drew & Kip Barefoot, and learn more about kidney paired donation or a “kidney swap.”
Read their story: https://bit.ly/4ep0h8O

03/18/2026

Next up, during National Nutrition Month, let’s Meagan Owen, MS, RD, CNSC, Clinical Dietitian.

What makes you most proud to work for VCU Health? I am proud to work at VCU Health because of the incredible transplant team and lifechanging care we provide. Being part of a team that supports patients and each other through such meaningful moments makes the work truly rewarding.

What makes Hume-Lee unique? Hume Lee stands out because of the compassion, support, and collaborative care we offer patients and families every step of their transplant journey.

What drew you to your role? I was drawn to this role because I believe nutrition is a powerful tool in helping transplant patients heal and thrive. Organ transplants save lives and give patients a second chance. Being part of their team and journey gives my work real meaning.

What are you most passionate about? What's the biggest reward for you in this field? I am passionate about helping patients understand how their nutrition supports every step of their transplant journey. The biggest reward is seeing patients recover and thrive after transplant.

What message or advice do you want to share with the community? Nutrition matters – small, consistent choices everyday build lifelong health.

Thank you to all our nutrition team members for your dedication, expertise and care! Stay tuned as we meet more of these team members this month. ❤️❤️

For more information about our programs, visit: vcuhealth.org/transplant