Heart Transplant - Why UAB?

The UAB Heart Transplant Program has evolved into one of the most distinguished programs of its kind in the nation since the first heart transplant in the Southeast was performed at UAB in 1981. Building on that groundbreaking achievement, hundreds of heart transplants have been performed at UAB since that time. Our long history of success is centered on our highly skilled transplant team, dedication to patient care, and continued commitment to pioneering advances in heart transplantation.

The UAB Heart Transplant Program has achieved international recognition as one of the best transplant programs in the country because of our outstanding patient survival rates and exceptional patient care. One of the program’s most unique and innovative features is the Heart Transplant Intensive Care Unit (HTICU). This state-of-the-art 23-bed unit – among only a few of its kind in the nation – is staffed with a skilled critical care team dedicated to caring for heart transplant patients in the important first hours after surgery. Our Heart Transplant Intensive Care Unit received the Beacon Award for excellence in critical care nursing.