Francisca van der Schyff
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Francisca van der Schyff, MBChB, MMed, FEBS, FCS(SA)

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Surgery
100 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-662-2950
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Eccles Primary Children's Outpatient Services

81 N Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City , UT 84113
801-213-3599
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University of Utah Hospital

50 N Medical Dr
Salt Lake City , UT 84132
801-581-2121
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  • Francisca van der Schyff, MBChB, FCS, MMed, FEBS, is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah, specializing in organ transplantation and pediatric hepatobiliary surgery. With advanced training in both adult and pediatric liver and kidney transplantation, Dr. van der Schyff is committed to improving access to life-saving transplants for children and adults with end-stage organ failure.

    Clinical Expertise

    Dr. van der Schyff provides specialized surgical care in:

    • Liver and kidney transplantation (adult and pediatric)
    • Living and deceased donor organ procurement
    • Pediatric hepatobiliary surgery and transplantation
    • Critical care in advanced liver and renal failure
    • Immunosuppression and immunomodulation in transplant patients

    Education and Training

    Dr. van der Schyff earned her medical degree with honors from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She completed a five-year general surgery residency, graduating cum laude and earning admission as a Fellow of the South African College of Surgeons. She went on to complete two additional years of pediatric surgery training before pursuing a two-year fellowship in transplant surgery, achieving certification through the European Society of Organ Transplantation (FEBS-Transplant) in 2020.

    During her five years as an attending transplant surgeon in Johannesburg, South Africa, she also completed a visiting fellowship at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where she gained advanced expertise in ex-vivo and in-vivo organ perfusion technologies.

    Leadership and Service

    Dr. van der Schyff has served in multiple international leadership roles. She was elected President-Elect of the South African Transplant Society in 2024, serving as President prior to joining the University of Utah. She also contributes to transplant surgery education as a member of the Vanguard Committee of the European Union Medical Society (EUMS), where she helps organize preparatory courses and conduct exit examinations for European transplant fellows.

    Research and Innovation

    Dr van der Schyff has published in several peer-reviewed journals on biliary atresia, necrotizing enterocolitis, renal and liver transplantation in both adults and children. She is currently engaged in research on ex-vivo machine perfusion of solid organ grafts. She served as President of the South African Transplant Society and on the Vanguard committee of the European Society of Organ Transplantation in the education and examination of surgical transplant fellows.

    Her research interests focus on advancing outcomes in both pediatric and adult transplantation, including:

    • Pediatric liver and kidney transplantation
    • Living donor transplantation
    • Biliary atresia management and surgical innovation
    • Critical care and emergent transplantation in advanced organ failure
    • Immunosuppression strategies and rejection management

    Patient-Centered Care

    Through her clinical practice, research, and leadership, Dr. van der Schyff is dedicated to ensuring access to transplantation for children with end-stage organ failure, with the goal of prolonging life, improving graft survival, and enhancing quality of life.

    Dr. van der Schyff is recognized for her commitment to patient- and family-centered care. She works closely with families to navigate the complexities of transplantation, offering expert guidance and compassionate support throughout the transplant journey.

    Personal Interests

    Outside of medicine, Dr. van der Schyff enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, two daughters and dogs.

    Specialties

  • Francisca van der Schyff, MBChB, FCS, MMed, FEBS, is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah, specializing in organ transplantation and pediatric hepatobiliary surgery. With advanced training in both adult and pediatric liver and kidney transplantation, Dr. van der Schyff is committed to improving access to life-saving transplants for children and adults with end-stage organ failure.

    Clinical Expertise

    Dr. van der Schyff provides specialized surgical care in:

    • Liver and kidney transplantation (adult and pediatric)
    • Living and deceased donor organ procurement
    • Pediatric hepatobiliary surgery and transplantation
    • Critical care in advanced liver and renal failure
    • Immunosuppression and immunomodulation in transplant patients

    Education and Training

    Dr. van der Schyff earned her medical degree with honors from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She completed a five-year general surgery residency, graduating cum laude and earning admission as a Fellow of the South African College of Surgeons. She went on to complete two additional years of pediatric surgery training before pursuing a two-year fellowship in transplant surgery, achieving certification through the European Society of Organ Transplantation (FEBS-Transplant) in 2020.

    During her five years as an attending transplant surgeon in Johannesburg, South Africa, she also completed a visiting fellowship at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where she gained advanced expertise in ex-vivo and in-vivo organ perfusion technologies.

    Leadership and Service

    Dr. van der Schyff has served in multiple international leadership roles. She was elected President-Elect of the South African Transplant Society in 2024, serving as President prior to joining the University of Utah. She also contributes to transplant surgery education as a member of the Vanguard Committee of the European Union Medical Society (EUMS), where she helps organize preparatory courses and conduct exit examinations for European transplant fellows.

    Research and Innovation

    Dr van der Schyff has published in several peer-reviewed journals on biliary atresia, necrotizing enterocolitis, renal and liver transplantation in both adults and children. She is currently engaged in research on ex-vivo machine perfusion of solid organ grafts. She served as President of the South African Transplant Society and on the Vanguard committee of the European Society of Organ Transplantation in the education and examination of surgical transplant fellows.

    Her research interests focus on advancing outcomes in both pediatric and adult transplantation, including:

    • Pediatric liver and kidney transplantation
    • Living donor transplantation
    • Biliary atresia management and surgical innovation
    • Critical care and emergent transplantation in advanced organ failure
    • Immunosuppression strategies and rejection management

    Patient-Centered Care

    Through her clinical practice, research, and leadership, Dr. van der Schyff is dedicated to ensuring access to transplantation for children with end-stage organ failure, with the goal of prolonging life, improving graft survival, and enhancing quality of life.

    Dr. van der Schyff is recognized for her commitment to patient- and family-centered care. She works closely with families to navigate the complexities of transplantation, offering expert guidance and compassionate support throughout the transplant journey.

    Personal Interests

    Outside of medicine, Dr. van der Schyff enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, two daughters and dogs.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
    Academic Divisions Pediatric Surgery

    Education history

    Fellowship Abdominal Transplant Surgery - Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre Fellow
    Residency Pediatric Surgery - University of Pretoria School of Medicine Resident
    Graduate Training General Surgery - University of Pretoria School of Medicine MMed
    Residency General Surgery - University of Pretoria School of Medicine Resident
    Other Training General Surgery - Kalafong Provincial Hospital Senior Medical Officer
    Other Training Community Service - Kalafong Provincial Hospital Medical Officer
    Undergraduate Medicine, Surgery - University of Cape Town M.B.Ch.B.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Li W, Bokkers RPH, Wildhaber BE, Calinescu AM, Ricoeur A, Marra P, Bravi M, Pinelli D, Minetto J, Dip M, Sierre S, de Santibaes M, Ardiles V, Uno JW, Hardikar W, Bates S, Goh L, Aldrian D, Seisenbacher J, Vogel GF, Neto JS, da Fonseca EA, Costa CM, Ferreira CT, Nader LS, Farina MA, Dajani KZ, Parente A, Bigam DL, Liang T, Bai X, Xiang J, Gonsorkov L, Fronk J, Bohu, Franchi-Abella S, Gonzales E, Gurin F, Junge N, Baumann U, Richter N, Hartleif S, Sturm E, Rajakannu M, Palaniappan K, Rela M, Pawaria A, Rajakrishnan H, Surendran S, Kumar M, Agarwal S, Gupta S, Asthana S, Sakpal M, Avalareddy A, Spada M, Monti L, Alterio T, Yanagi Y, Uchida H, Komine R, Evans H, Carr-Boyd P, Duncan D, Stefanowicz M, Latka-Grot J, Kolenik A, Broering DC, Raptis DA, Marquez KAH, Mali V, Aw M, Beretta M, Van der Schyff F, Quintero J, Mercadal-Hally M, Molino-Gahete JA, Andres AM, Hernandez-Oliveros F, Remacha EF, Casswall T, Jorns C, Delle M, Gupte GL, Sharif K, McGuirk SP, Superina R, Caicedo JC, Jaramillo C, Bitterfeld L, Kastenberg Z, Shah AA, Domenick B, Acord MR, Mazariegos G, Soltys K, DiNorcia J, Patel P, Florman S, Buchholz BM, Herden U, Fischer L, Dierckx RAJO, Hartog H, Van der Doef HPJ (2025). Management of hepatic artery thrombosis and stenosis after pediatric liver transplantation: Variability and agreement in management practices. Liver Transpl, 31(12), 1533-1544. (Read full publication)
    2. Calver KD, Terreblanche O, Warnich I, van der Schyff F (2024). Correlation between CT volumetry and actual graft weight in living donor liver transplants in South Africa. SA J Radiol, 28(1), 2917. (Read full publication)
    3. Li W, van der Doef HPJ, Wildhaber BE, Marra P, Bravi M, Pinelli D, Minetto J, Dip M, Sierre S, de Santibaes M, Ardiles V, Uno JW, Hardikar W, Bates S, Goh L, Aldrian D, Seisenbacher J, Vogel GF, Neto JS, Antunes da Fonseca E, Magalhes Costa C, Ferreira CT, Nader LS, Farina MA, Dajani KZ, Parente A, Bigam DL, Liang TB, Bai X, Zhang W, Gonsorkov L, Fronk J, Bohu, Franchi-Abella S, Gonzales E, Gurin F, Junge N, Baumann U, Richter N, Hartleif S, Sturm E, Rajakannu M, Palaniappan K, Rela M, Pawaria A, Rajakrishnan H, Surendran S, Kumar M, Agarwal S, Gupta S, Asthana S, Bandewar V, Raichurkar K, Spada M, Monti L, Alterio T, Yanagi Y, Uchida H, Komine R, Evans H, Carr-Boyd P, Duncan D, Stefanowicz M, Latka-Grot J, Kolesnik A, Broering DC, Raptis DA, Ann H Marquez K, Mali V, Aw M, Beretta M, Van der Schyff F, Quintero-Bernabeu J, Mercadal-Hally M, Larrarte K M, Andres AM, Hernandez-Oliveros F, Frauca E, Casswall T, Jorns C, Delle M, Gupte G, Sharif K, McGuirk S, Superina R, Caicedo JC, Jaramillo C, Bitterfeld L, Kastenberg Z, Shah AA, Domenick B, Acord MR, Mazariegos GV, Soltys K, DiNorcia J, Antala S, Florman SS, Buchholz BM, Herden U, Fischer L, Dierckx RAJO, Hartog H, Bokkers RPH (2024). Incidence, management and outcomes in hepatic artery complications after paediatric liver transplantation: protocol of the retrospective, international, multicentre HEPATIC Registry. BMJ Open, 14(6), e081933. (Read full publication)
    4. Crawford R, Loveland J, Gaylard P, Fabian J, Kinandu K, Bobat B, Mahomed A, Parbhoo D, Beretta M, Berkenfeld S, Rambarran S, Van der Schyff F, Brannigan L, Strobele B (2024). A retrospective analysis of outcomes and complications of living- and deceased-donor split-liver transplantation in Johannesburg, South Africa. S Afr Med J, 114(3b), e1366. (Read full publication)
    5. Wessels EU, Kinandu K, Beretta M, Berkenfeld S, Bobat B, Brannigan L, Britz R, Demopoulos D, Doedens L, Gaylard P, Maher H, Mahomed A, Mudau V, Parbhoo D, Rambarran S, Reynders M, Van der Schyff F, Strbele B, Fabian J, Loveland J (2024). Wits Transplant Unit Annual Report 2022: Adult and paediatric liver transplantation. S Afr Med J, 114(3b), e1365. (Read full publication)
    6. Van der Schyff F, Barnard M, Strbele B, De Jager M, Britz R, Gaylard P, Loveland J (2024). Renal transplant recipient and deceased-donor risk profiles at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa: A 9-year review. S Afr Med J, 114(3b), e1321. (Read full publication)
    7. Wessels EU, Loveland J, Maher H, Gaylard P, Bobat B, Mahomed AD, Parbhoo D, Beretta MR, Hajinicolaou C, Walabh P, Berkenfeld S, Demopoulos D, Rambarran S, Strbele B, Van der Schyff F, Fabian J, Brannigan L (2024). ABO-incompatible liver transplantation - exploring utilitarian solutions to restricted access and organ shortages: A single-centre experience from Johannesburg, South Africa. S Afr Med J, 114(3b), e1211. (Read full publication)
    8. Kinandu K, Beeton A, Beretta M, Berkenfeld S, Brannigan L, Britz R, Demopoulos D, Doedens L, Duncan M, Gaylard P, Hajinicolaou C, Lowman W, Maher H, De Maayer T, Mudau V, Rambarran S, Reynders M, van der Schyff F, Strbele B, Tager S, Wessels E, Fabian J, Loveland J (2024). The paediatric liver transplant experience in Johannesburg, South Africa: A broad overview and update. S Afr Med J, 114(3b), e1190. (Read full publication)
    9. Masimirembwa C, Ramsay M, Botha J, Ellis E, Etheredge H, Hurrell T, Kanji CR, Kapungu NN, Maher H, Mthembu B, Naidoo J, Scholefield J, Rambarran S, van der Schyff F, Smyth N, Strobele B, Thelingwani RS, Loveland J, Fabian J (2023). The African Liver Tissue Biorepository Consortium: Capacitating Population-Appropriate Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacogenetics Research in Drug Discovery and Development. Drug Metab Dispos, 51(12), 1551-1560. (Read full publication)
    10. Van der Schyff F, Britz RS, Strobele B, Demopoulos D, Beretta MR, Chitagu T, Botha JF (2023). Hyperreduced left lateral living donor liver transplant in a 4.5 kg child-A first in Africa. Pediatr Transplant, 27(5), e14536. (Read full publication)
    11. van der Schyff F, Terblanche AJ, Botha JF (2021). Improving Poor Outcomes of Children With Biliary Atresia in South Africa by Early Referral to Centralized Units. JPGN Rep, 2(2), e073. (Read full publication)
    12. van der Schyff F, Becker JHR (2018). Predictive Value of a Persistent Tachycardia to Indicate Impending Perforation in Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Am J Perinatol, 35(8), 774-778. (Read full publication)

    Review

    1. Omar Carrim Y, Gaxa L, van der Schyff F, Bida NM, Omar F, Lockhat Z (2017). Does radiotherapy prior to surgery improve long term prognosis in pediatric colorectal cancer in lower- and upper-middle income countries with limited resources? Our experience and literature review. [Review]. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst, 29(4), 201-206. (Read full publication)