Loyola Medicine’s transplant programs achieve national recognition

CONTACT:

Allison Peters 
allison.peters@luhs.org
708-216-5500

MAYWOOD, IL – Loyola Medicine’s lung transplant program has the highest patient survival rate locally and one of the best survival rates in the nation, while its kidney transplant program ranks among the top 10 nationally for transplant rates, according to the latest data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). Both programs’ graft and patient survival rates outperform the seven-state region by a minimum of 2.5%.

Loyola leads the Chicago area in lung transplant survival and is among the nation's top programs

Since establishing Chicago’s first lung transplant program in 1988, Loyola Medicine has demonstrated a legacy of national achievement that has benefited nearly 1,300 patients, a mark that very few programs in the United States have attained. That dedication, drive and talent continue today, where Loyola Medicine has achieved the highest patient survival rate in the Chicago area and one of the best survival rates in the nation, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Loyola’s patient survival rate is 91.97%, higher than other local health systems and the national average. Loyola’s lung transplant program performed 34 transplants in 2025. 

“Achieving this recognition reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to exceptional, patient-centered care,” said Chirantan Mangukia, MD, Loyola Medicine’s chief of pulmonary transplant surgery. “We’re proud to build on a legacy that has transformed nearly 1,300 lives and continues to set the standard for lung transplants.”

Loyola’s kidney transplant program consistently takes on the most challenging cases

Since 1971, Loyola’s kidney transplant program has offered the highest level of multidisciplinary, integrated care for patients with kidney disease and failure who may be considering a kidney transplant. Loyola consistently takes on the most challenging cases, offering a second chance at life to patients who have been rejected by other institutions. 

“We’re honored to see this recognition, which reflects the strength of our multidisciplinary team and the trust patients place in us,” said Sanjeev K. Akkina, MD, Loyola Medicine’s medical director of kidney transplant. “It underscores our commitment to delivering timely, high-quality transplant care to those who need it most.”

Loyola is among the top 10 transplant centers nationwide for waitlist-to-transplant rates

The SRTR defines transplant rate as the speed at which organs are found for patients. Specifically, the number of candidates who receive a transplant divided by the total time individuals spend on a center's waiting list. Loyola is in the top 10 nationally for transplant rate among the 257 hospitals included. Nationally, an average of 6.5% of patients on the transplant list received a transplant within 30 days. At Loyola, that number nearly doubled to 12%. Loyola’s kidney transplant program performed 217 transplants in 2025.