The Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute launches on the heels of surgeons performing Northwestern Medicine’s 3,000th liver transplant
AWAKE kidney transplant
AWAKE kidney transplant with Dr. Nadig and Dr. Rohan
AWAKE kidney transplant
Dr. Satish Nadig headshot
Dr. Satish Nadig
Dr. Satish Nadig portrait
Drs. Dietch and Nadig performing RAPID transplant
Transplant OR at Northwestern Medicine
Art and Natalie Nichols
Art and Natalie Nichols
B-roll, photos and interview:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wtnkusp180af52i4ip6it/AG01TMtvVWlkKvxDZW3ZOR4?rlkey=ail6fschngocmi1krnyb9jbki&st=fkjef3qg&dl=0
CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northwestern Medicine has established the Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute, marking a transformative new chapter in its commitment to advancing transplant innovation. Made possible by a five-year fundraising campaign, the institute brings together nationally recognized programs and multidisciplinary expertise to accelerate discovery, expand access to transplantation and advance patient care.
“For more than six decades, Northwestern Medicine has helped shape the evolution of transplant care. Every day, we see the extraordinary commitment of the people working across our transplant programs to help patients navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Through philanthropic support, Northwestern Medicine will continue to shape a future where even more patients have the opportunity to thrive after transplant.”
The institute launches as Northwestern Medicine’s transplant programs continue to achieve record growth and national recognition.
In September, the liver transplant team completed their 3,000th liver transplant, becoming the first program in Illinois to reach the milestone.
In 2025, Northwestern Medicine performed 691 transplants, the most in Northwestern Medicine history.
They rank among the nation’s top 10 transplant centers for the number of transplants performed.
Home to the largest liver, kidney and living donor transplant programs in Illinois.
The institute represents the culmination of a vision that has taken shape over the five years since Satish Nadig, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon and executive director of the Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute, joined the team.
“We really had to think about what does transplant mean to Northwestern and what exactly can we do to change the landscape of the field,” said Dr. Nadig. “It became very clear to us that we hang our hat on this idea of innovation, so we got to work.”
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