Adventist Hospital Network Celebrates 4,000th Kidney Transplant

By: Florida Hospital News

Florida Hospital is proud to announce its kidney transplant team performed its 4,000th procedure, marking a major milestone for the clinical teams and program.

Florida Hospital, an Adventist-managed network of hospitals in the US state of Florida has one of the nation’s oldest and largest transplant programs, with more than 160 adult and pediatric kidney transplants performed annually. From its first kidney transplant in 1973 to today, the Transplant Institute transforms the lives of patients in Central Florida and beyond who need a life-saving organ transplant.

“We are honored that our community has entrusted us for more than 40 years to provide high-quality, advanced and compassionate care,” said Robert Metzger, who helped launch the kidney transplant program and continues to serve as its medical director. “This milestone would not be possible were it not for our physician partners, including Nephrology Associates of Central Florida, who share in our commitment to providing life-changing and life-saving care.”

Terri Miller underwent her transplant 42 years ago, making her Florida Hospital’s oldest surviving kidney transplant patient. She was diagnosed with kidney failure when she was 21 years old and six months pregnant. Now 64, Miller is a happiness coach who encourages people to value life, but most importantly quality of life.

“Living donors are angels that hold on to their faith to make a sacrifice and give someone the gift of life,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that. I have a huge respect for anyone who donates.”

More than four decades after Miller received her new kidney, Florida Hospital’s kidney transplant team has performed just over 4,000 procedures.

“This milestone would not be possible were it not for the thousands of organ donors and their families. Because of their generosity, generations of lives have been impacted,” said surgical director of the kidney transplant program Michael Angelis.

“We are so proud of our physicians and clinical teams for reaching this remarkable milestone,” said Florida Hospital vice president Kari Vargas. “Transplants require immense coordination, time and skill, and we applaud their untiring efforts to build this program and provide the highest quality and compassionate care to their patients.”