The Lung Transplant Program at University of Utah Health completed the highest number of lung transplants in program history—performing 50 lung transplants in 2025.
The program achieved 38% year-over-year growth in 2025 compared to 2024, marking a significant acceleration in transplant volume. The milestone reflects a coordinated effort to expand access to care, strengthen clinical processes, and connect more patients with life-saving treatment.
“Every transplant represents a patient who has been given a second chance at life,” said Matthew Morrell, MD, the medical director of the Lung Transplant Program at University of Utah Health. “This milestone reflects the extraordinary work of our multidisciplinary transplant team and our commitment to expanding access to care for patients throughout Utah and the Mountain West.”
Key Highlights
- A record 50 lung transplants took place in 2025—the highest annual total in program history.
- 38% year-over-year growth was achieved in transplant volume compared to 2024.
- Access to life-saving lung transplantation expanded for patients across Utah and the Mountain West.
- The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) recognized U of U Health’s Lung Transplant Program for process improvements.
- A new monthly program record was set with seven lung transplants in July 2025.
National Collaboration Drives Program Growth
The achievement was supported through the program’s participation in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Lung Transplant Growth Collaborative, a national initiative focused on safely and sustainably increasing access to lung transplantation.
While donor lung availability has increased nationwide in recent years, many viable organs still go unused. At the same time, patients continue to face long wait times and barriers to transplant evaluation and listing. The IHI Collaborative was established to help transplant centers address these challenges by sharing successful strategies, improving operations processes, and expanding access to transportation.
During the collaborative, University of Utah Health received special recognition from the IHI for its process improvements, which resulted in a record number of patient referrals, patients evaluated for transplant, and patients placed on the lung transplant wait list.
Participation in the collaborative also provided opportunities to learn from peer institutions across the country and adopt proven approaches to transplant growth. Those lessons continue to inform ongoing efforts to improve access and strengthen care delivery.
Historic Milestones Reflect Continued Momentum
The program also achieved several record-setting months. In July 2025, the U of U Health transplant team performed seven lung transplants—the highest monthly total in program history. Additional peaks included six transplants in both June and December, surpassing the program’s previous monthly record.
Record-Setting Milestones
U of U Health's Lung Transplant Program achieved several record-setting months:
- July 2025: Seven lung transplants—the highest monthly total in program history.
- June 2025: Six lung transplants.
- December 2025: Six lung transplants, matching June and surpassing the program's previous monthly record.
"This growth reflects a deliberate effort to make better use of available donor organs while maintaining the highest standards of patient care,” Morrell said. “Every additional transplant represents an opportunity to improve and extend a patient's life, and we're proud to help more patients access that care across our region. We are grateful for the strengthened relationships with referring providers in the Mountain West who recognize the life-saving potential of lung transplant.”
The IHI Collaborative also provided opportunities to learn from peer institutions across the country and adopt proven approaches to transplant growth. Those lessons continue to inform ongoing efforts to improve access and strengthen care delivery.
Looking Ahead
As the program looks ahead, its focus remains on continuing to expand access to lung transplantation, supporting the multidisciplinary teams that make this work possible, and ensuring more patients can receive life-saving care when they need it most.
"Expanding access to life-saving care is central to our mission,” Morrell said. “This achievement demonstrates what is possible when clinical excellence, innovation, and collaboration come together on behalf of patients and families who are counting on us."
U of U Health celebrated a record number of transplants performed in 2025.
A celebration took place on January 28, 2025, inside University of Utah Hospital to commemorate the milestone achievement.