Penn State Health announced Tuesday that it would close its kidney and liver transplant program at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Earlier this month, the health department suspended its liver transplant program to undergo a performance review by the Organ Donor Network. It was the second transplant suspension since 2021. In a statement, Penn State Health said, “In discussions with UNOS and in our review of the program, it became clear that closing the program was the right course of action at this time, given the ongoing challenges we face in continuing the program.” It added, “It is in the best interest of our patients to focus now on the many programs and services that have proven track records and excellent reputations.” More than 150 patients on the organ transplant waiting list must now seek other transplant centers. Penn State Health said it is helping these patients transition, including Troy Geiter. Geiter received a liver transplant in 2021, but was placed back on the waiting list for another liver transplant due to complications and infection. Hearing the news of the program's cancellation left me feeling upset and frustrated. “I'm not a doctor, so I'm caught in the middle because I don't know what to do. What's my 'next step,'” he said. He also wants answers. “I'm not mad at them. I just want to understand what happened. I want to understand, did something go wrong? If it did go wrong, please let me know,” he said. Full statementThe full announcement from Penn State Medical Center is below: “Penn State Medical Center will discontinue the Kidney and Liver Transplant Program at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.”This was not an easy decision to make because our community depends on us to provide the health care services they need and want us to provide. The Kidney and Liver Transplant Program is proud to have achieved a 100% survival rate for patients who have received transplants since our reactivation in 2023. However, in discussions with UNOS and during our own review of the program, it became clear that closing the program at this time was the right course of action given the ongoing challenges we face in continuing the program. “We recognize we have work to do to ensure we can deliver this service in a way that meets our expectations and that those who depend on us deserve. At this time, it is in our patients' best interest to focus on the many programs and services that have a track record of success and an excellent reputation. “This move does not affect Penn State Health's heart, stem cell or bone marrow transplant programs, which will continue without interruption. Penn State Health is assisting people on kidney and liver transplant waiting lists with transitioning to other transplant centers. Our team of kidney and liver specialists will continue to provide post-transplant care for patients who have already received a transplant as well as provide specialized medical management for patients with kidney or liver disease who do not require a transplant.”
Penn State Health announced Tuesday that it is ending its kidney and liver transplant program at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Earlier this month, the health system temporarily suspended its liver transplant program while it undergoes a performance evaluation by the National Network for Organ Distribution, marking the second transplant halt since 2021.
“In discussions with UNOS and in our own review of the program, it became apparent that closing the program was the right response at this time, given the ongoing challenges we face in continuing the program,” Penn State Health said in a statement.
He added that “it is in patients' best interests for us to focus our current efforts on the many programs and services for which we have a proven track record of success and an excellent reputation.”
More than 150 patients on the waiting list for organ transplants now have to find other transplant centers.
Penn State Health said it is helping patients, including Troy Geiter, with the transition.
Gator underwent a liver transplant in 2021, but was placed back on the waiting list for a liver transplant due to complications and infection.
I was upset and frustrated when I heard about the program cancellation.
“I'm not a doctor so I don't know what to do, I'm in the middle. I don't know what to do next,” he said.
He too wants answers.
“I'm not mad at them. I just want to understand what happened. I want to understand, did I do something wrong? If I did something wrong, please let me know,” he said.
Read the full statement
Below is the full announcement from Penn State University Health:
“Penn State Health will discontinue kidney and liver transplant programs at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.”
“This was never an easy decision, because we know our community depends on us to provide the health care services they need and want us to provide. We are proud that our kidney and liver transplant programs have achieved 100% survival rates for patients who received transplants since reopening in 2023. However, in discussions with UNOS and during our own review of our programs, it has become clear that given the ongoing challenges we face in continuing our programs, closing them is the right course of action at this time.”
“We know we have work to do to meet expectations and provide the services those who depend on us deserve. It is in our patients' best interest to focus now on the many programs and services for which we have a proven track record and an excellent reputation.”
“This action does not affect Penn State Health's heart transplant program or stem cell and bone marrow transplant program, which will continue without interruption.”
“Penn State Health is helping people on the kidney and liver transplant waiting list transition to other transplant centers. Our team of kidney and liver specialists will continue to provide post-transplant care for patients who have already received transplants and specialized medical management for patients with kidney and liver disease who do not require a transplant.”
