There are approximately 2,200 Georgians on the transplant waiting list. For those waiting for a transplant, the newest member of the Piedmont Hospital Transplant Services, Miguel Tan, M.D., a specialist in pancreas transplant surgery with world-class experience, will help local and regional patients stay closer to home.

"Adding Dr. Tan to the team will help us grow our superior medical and surgical care of kidney, pancreas and liver recipients and donors," said John Whelchel, M.D., medical director for Piedmont's Transplant Services.

Pancreas transplantation can relieve symptoms of diabetes and help restore health in patients with end-stage renal failure. Research shows that diabetic patients with renal failure who receive both a pancreas and kidney transplant in a single surgical procedure are less likely to develop diabetic complications in the transplanted kidney. They also live longer than patients who receive only a kidney transplant.

"One of the reasons I came to Piedmont was because of the hospital's progressive transplant program," said Tan. "Pancreas transplantation is underserved in Georgia, and I see an opportunity to grow the program here at Piedmont."

Nearly 1,800 transplants have taken place at Piedmont. Piedmont is among the top 20 of all kidney transplant programs in the country based on total number of procedures. In 2007, Piedmont recorded 198 transplants, including 125 kidney transplants, eight kidney-pancreas transplants, and 65 liver transplants.

"Piedmont has such a dynamic group of surgeons, and I'm looking forward to helping grow the program and changing lives in Georgia," said Tan. "Transplantation is a satisfying profession. When people start living full lives again, you’ve really made a difference."

Prior to joining Piedmont Hospital Transplant Services, Dr. Tan, Royal College of Surgeons certified in general surgery, was an assistant professor of surgery in the division of transplant surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is a member of the Association for Academic Surgery, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, Canadian Society of Transplantation and is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. He received the Young Investigator Award from the American Transplant Congress and the Outstanding Resident Teacher Award from the department of surgery at McGill University.

Dr. Tan earned his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he also completed his residency. He finished his clinical fellowship in the division of transplant surgery at the University of Minnesota.

For more information about Piedmont's Transplant Services, visit www.piedmonthospital.org.

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