Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center launches liver program

Presbyterian/St Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, Colo., announced they have expanded their transplant services by adding a liver transplant and liver disease program, according to a press release from the center.

According to the release, the medical center’s kidney transplant services division opened nearly 30 years ago, with the center performing more than 1,500 kidney transplants. The existing team of nephrologists, surgeons, physician’s assistants, nurses, social workers and financial counselors will now include various specialists in liver transplant, hepatobiliary surgery and hepatology.

The new liver transplant program will include a team of liver disease specialists led by Tom Heffron, MD, FACS, a surgeon who has performed more than 1,000 liver transplants, according to the release.

“Bringing this talented team together under one roof for both adult and pediatric transplants will be a huge benefit to the Rocky Mountain region,” Heffron said in the release. “We are committed to providing the highest quality outcomes for our patients and we are proud to join the Presbyterian/St. Luke’s and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children team.”

Transplant specialists in the new program include Clark Kulig, MD, and Bahri M. Bilir, MD. Other specialists within the new program include Sara Cheng, MD, of liver anesthesia, Ben Vernon, MD, of transplant surgery, among others.

Maureen Tarrant, president and CEO of Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center stated in the release the hospital is “thrilled” with the expansion.

“This incredible team of physicians will bring a level of expertise unique to the area,” Tarrant said in the release. “Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children will be the ‘go-to’ campus for life saving transplants for adults and children.”

Disclosures: Tarrant reports being employed by Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center.