Pancreas Transplantation

UI Health is a national leader in pancreas transplantation. Our program is committed to improving the lives of patients requiring transplant due to complications from diabetes, and we are a leading clinical trials site for islet cell transplantation to provide a functional cure for type 1 diabetes.
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Experts In Combined Kidney-Pancreas Transplant

Arlys Martinez had type 1 diabetes, which eventually led to kidney failure. She was on dialysis and needed a transplant, but she was ineligible for transplant at other centers. At UI Health, she was able to get a combined pancreas-kidney transplant via robotic surgery that cured her diabetes and helped her stop dialysis treatments.


UI Health Now the Largest Simultaneous Kidney Pancreas Transplant Program in the U.S.

The University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics performed the most simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplants in the United States in 2023, according to data from the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OTPN), a national organ donation and transplantation database. UI Health’s transplant volumes are reflective of our program’s expertise and dedication to providing exceptional care and making a substantial impact in organ transplantation. Our comprehensive program caters to a diverse range of patients needing kidney and pancreas transplants, including patients with body mass indices at or above 30 (indicative of obesity) who may be denied surgery at other centers.


Islet Cell Transplantation

The UI Health Islet Cell Transplantation Program can offer hope to those with Type 1 Diabetes by transplanting insulin-producing donor islet beta cells. We can isolate these cells from donors and infuse them into patients, potentially curing diabetes if the cells are accepted. Our program has conducted over 250 islet isolations for transplantation and research.

UI Health is a federally funded islet cell resource center and supports global researchers with islet preparation.

If you think you are a candidate for Islet Cell Transplantation, click here to fill out the interest form.