By Yavonda Chase
The UAMS liver transplant program has been recognized as a Center of Excellence for Adult Liver Transplant by the Clinical Sciences Institute at Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group.
Optum evaluates transplant programs throughout the United States, accepting select programs into its Center of Excellence Network based on strict criteria to ensure the highest standards of care.
UAMS is home to the only liver transplant program in Arkansas. This service is part of UAMS’ multi-organ transplant program, which includes kidney and in the future, pancreatic transplants.
“UAMS has worked to create a first-rate liver transplant program that is starting to be recognized at the national level,” said Christopher Westfall, M.D., executive vice chancellor and dean of the College of the Medicine. “Through the recruitment and retention of topnotch transplant surgeons and the only transplant hepatologists in the state, we have a team of providers who have been instrumental in identifying, listing and caring for patients with end-stage liver disease.”
The liver transplant team is made up of:
- Gary Barone, M.D., professor of surgery (COM), division chief
- Lyle Burdine, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery (COM)
- Emmanouil Giorgakis, M.D., assistant professor of surgery (COM)
- Gerardo Tamayo-Enriquez, M.D., assistant professor of surgery (COM)
- Matthew Deneke, M.D., assistant professor, COM Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Mauricio Garcia, M.D., assistant professor, COM Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Katie Rude, M.D., assistant professor, COM Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Holly Trotta, D.N.P., R.N., A.P.R.N., ACNP-BC
- Amanda Stevens, M.Sc.N., R.N., A.P.R.N., ACNP-BC