July 28, 2025

Prisma Health Expands Liver Transplant Services in Greenville

News Summary

Prisma Health Transplant Center in Greenville, South Carolina, has expanded its liver transplant services following approval from UNOS. This local program allows patients suffering from liver conditions to receive care without extensive travel. The center has already performed its first liver transplant and is committed to improving access and patient outcomes through a multidisciplinary approach.

Greenville, South Carolina Expands Liver Transplant Services at Prisma Health Transplant Center

The Prisma Health Transplant Center in Greenville, South Carolina, has announced the expansion of its liver transplant services, a significant development for patients who previously faced extensive travel to receive care. The center received approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in June 2025, allowing it to provide liver transplants locally. This advancement is particularly crucial given that South Carolina has high mortality rates from liver diseases.

Following its recent approval, the Prisma Health Transplant Center successfully performed its first liver transplant procedure. The program aims to assist patients suffering from a range of liver conditions, including acute and chronic liver failure and liver cancers. Eligible candidates for transplants are already being identified and prepared for treatment, with services now available from the initial evaluation through to donor processes, surgery, and post-operative care.

Dr. Derek DuBay, who leads the program, has reinforced the center’s commitment to improving patient access to liver transplant services and enhancing overall patient outcomes. Prisma Health’s Transplant Center stands out as one of only 256 accredited transplant centers throughout the United States and is among just three such centers operating in South Carolina.

The Need for Local Transplant Services

Before the launch of the liver transplant service, patients in need had to travel considerable distances, often hours away, to receive comparable care. This obstacle added to the difficulties faced by those battling severe liver conditions. In 2021 alone, 1,096 South Carolinians died from liver disease, with liver failure being ranked as the ninth leading cause of death in the state. The state has a high prevalence of risk factors that contribute to liver disease, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Despite the rising demand for liver transplants—over 150 needed annually in South Carolina—only 58 liver transplants were performed across the state in 2023. The Prisma Health Transplant Center aims to alleviate this disparity by providing local access to much-needed transplant services.

Comprehensive Care Approach

To ensure high-quality care, Prisma Health has assembled a team of specialists, including transplant surgeons, hepatologists, and other healthcare professionals. This multidisciplinary team collaborates to create personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs. The center utilizes innovative treatment techniques and state-of-the-art technologies, supporting patients in their journey toward longer and healthier lives.

Growing Impact Since Inception

The Prisma Health Transplant Center was initially launched in 2022 to address the increasing need for transplant services in the region. At that time, the center focused on kidney and pancreas transplants. Since its establishment, it has completed over 350 solid organ transplant procedures, marking its growing impact on patient care in South Carolina. Prisma Health serves a population of more than 1.6 million patients annually across South Carolina and Tennessee, backed by approximately 32,000 team members.

Additional Resources

Individuals seeking more information about the liver transplant program at the Prisma Health Transplant Center can visit the center’s website at: www.PrismaHealth.org/LiverTransplant. The expansion of these services marks a pivotal improvement in healthcare access for residents facing liver ailments, thereby addressing a crucial health issue within the state.