Lung Transplant Services at University Hospitals
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is one of only three sites in Ohio to offer lung transplant services. Established in 1999, our Lung Transplant Program continues to serve the Northeast Ohio community and beyond.

Make an Appointment
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a lung transplant specialist, call 216-844-3689.
Why Choose University Hospitals for Lung Transplant
Unique Clinical Expertise
Our lung transplant specialists have over two decades of experience in successfully managing patients with advanced lung disease. UH Cleveland Medical Center is a distinguished site for lung transplantation, with certification by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
We are committed to providing personal, compassionate and attentive care. With care centralized at one facility, you can count on a dedicated team who will grow to know you and your loved ones well.
Best Treatment Options
It is important for patients to have a full range of treatment options. In addition to lung transplantation, UH Cleveland Medical Center offers the most advanced minimally invasive and open surgical therapies, including:
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or aortic repair during a transplant procedure, which streamlines care for patients requiring more than one operation.
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy for patients in cardiac distress who need advanced support for their heart and lungs.
- Diaphragmatic pacing to improve the functionality of the diaphragm for patients with phrenic nerve dysfunction; having first pioneered this technology, UH Cleveland Medical Center has the most clinical experience of any hospital in the country using this technology for lung transplant patients.
- Transmedics OCS™ Lung technology, the only FDA-approved device for donor lung transportation as an alternative to cold storage, which maintains the organ’s physiologic state, significantly improving the condition of the donor lungs and post-transplant patient survival.
- AlloSure Lung® post-transplant monitoring, a simple blood test that provides early identification of injury or infection to your transplanted lung, reducing invasive surveillance and benefitting long-term patient outcomes.
Patient Stories
Read some of the inspiring stories about patients who have been given a second chance at life through the lung transplant program at UH.
Lung Transplant Candidates
A lung transplant is a surgery to replace a diseased lung with a healthy lung, usually from a deceased donor. Lung transplant is for people with end-stage lung disease whose condition has not improved after trying medications and other treatments.
Lung transplant can be lifesaving or greatly improve your quality of life, depending on your disease process.
Importantly, lung transplant can be considered at any time after initial diagnosis. Don’t wait – early referral is key.
Diagnoses that qualify for a lung transplant consultation:
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Coal workers pneumoconiosis
- COVID fibrosis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
- Pulmonary artery hypertension
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
Lung Transplant Process
Our Lung Transplant Program team is passionate about offering renewed life to patients with lung disease. From the first meeting through post-transplant follow-up visits, we are here to guide and support patients and their families during each phase of the process.
Meet Our Team
Silpa Kilaru, MD
- Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD
- Cardiac Surgery
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Beachwood (7 mi.)
Yasir Abu-Omar, MD, PhD
- Cardiac Surgery
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Beachwood (7 mi.)
Kelsey Gray, MD
- Cardiac Surgery
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Beachwood (7 mi.)
Beachwood (7 mi.)
Robert Schilz, DO
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Sarah Lendvay, CNS
- Pulmonary Disease, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Critical Care Medicine
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
Katherine Gill, CNP
- Pulmonary Disease, Cardiology, Critical Care Medicine
-
Cleveland (0 mi.)
- Victoria Goodpaster, Lung Transplant Coordinator
- Kindra Ortiz, Lung Transplant Coordinator
- Christen Bonanno, Lung Transplant Social Worker