#United States #Atlanta #Piedmont Healthcare #lung transplant #advanced lung care

Piedmont Launches New Lung Transplant Program

In a major step forward for lung health in Georgia, Piedmont Healthcare is excited to announce the launch of its lung transplant program, aimed at providing critical access to life-saving treatments for patients grappling with end-stage lung disease. This innovative initiative will become only the second lung transplant program in the state, catering to a population of over 11 million residents. The official rollout is scheduled for the fall of 2026.

Addressing a Crucial Need

Currently, a troubling trend exists in Georgia where more than half of the lungs that are available for transplant leave the state for procedures elsewhere. This not only creates immense logistical difficulties for patients and their families but also places a strain on healthcare teams attempting to deliver timely care. The launch of Piedmont's new program is poised to alleviate these burdens, ensuring that patients remain close to home during their critical treatment journeys.

Dr. Charles L. Brown III, CEO of Piedmont's Physician Enterprise, stated, "Piedmont has a proven track record of serving patients nationwide. Our facilities combine luxury standards with top-notch expertise, particularly through our Piedmont Heart Institute, which ranks among the best in the country for heart care, including transplantation. The establishment of the lung transplant program will synergistically enhance our already robust transplantation capabilities."

The lung transplant program will be anchored at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, utilizing a highly skilled team comprising Surgical Director Dr. Christian Bermudez, Transplant Program Medical Director Dr. Juan Salgado, and Lung Transplant Critical Care Medical Director Dr. Enrique Diaz Guzman. Collectively, they boast over 60 years of experience focused on advanced cardiopulmonary care, which will be vital in executing this groundbreaking program.

Understanding Lung Transplantation

Every year, roughly 3,000 lung transplants are performed across the United States, while nearly five times that many individuals find themselves on waiting lists. For many such as those battling severe conditions like pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or cystic fibrosis, lung transplantation often becomes their final treatment hope when other medical interventions cease to provide relief.

Piedmont's lung transplant team is particularly noteworthy due to its extensive experience with thoracic rescues and their ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) program, which offers life-sustaining support for patients' hearts and lungs outside the body. With over 2,000 patients having been placed on ECMO, Piedmont stands out as one of the busiest facilities worldwide for this procedure. The lung transplant team's goal is to broaden eligibility, thereby providing transplantation options to more patients, including those in acute respiratory failure or already on ECMO support.

Dr. Bermudez mentioned, "Our team's cutting-edge expertise and comprehensive pulmonary care network position us uniquely to deliver personalized care tailored to the needs of complex patients. We are passionate about giving a new chance to patients who may have previously been declined by other transplant programs."

Enhancing Comprehensive Care

The lung transplant program is an integral addition to Piedmont's Advanced Lung Disease Program, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to address the needs of patients facing complex lung issues. Piedmont has already established solid roots in transplant medicine, with existing programs for heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants. In 2025, Piedmont surgeons were leaders in the state, successfully performing over 100 heart transplants—more than any other health system in Georgia.

Piedmont Atlanta’s CEO, Dr. Patrick M. Battey, emphasized the importance of this new initiative: “The introduction of a lung transplant program marks an essential milestone not only for Piedmont but for every patient we serve across Georgia. We are fully supportive of our talented transplant team and their life-saving mission.”

With the lung transplant program underway, Piedmont Healthcare is on a path to transform the landscape of lung care, providing hope and healing for those in desperate need of a second chance.