Liver Transplant Fellows

John M. Vierling, MD, FACP

Two transplant fellows join our program, which is approved by the Texas Medical Board and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, this summer. Over the next two years our faculty will provide them with extensive hands-on ex-perience in all aspects of the management of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) surgical patients.

JACFRANZ GUITEAU, MD

Dr. Jacfranz Guiteau earned his BA in psychology with a minor in mathematics in May, 2002 from Georgetown University. He then went on to attend medical school at Emory University School of Medicine where he was designated a Dean’s Scholar. Originally considering a career in infectious diseases, he found his calling in his very first

clinical rotation when he was assigned to the gastrointestinal surgical oncology service at Emory University Hospital. There he developed a strong interest in surgery and, more specifically, the surgical management of both benign and malignant hepatobiliary pathology. Pursuing that interest, Dr. Guiteau sought opportunities to enhance his experience including case reports and presentations at national meetings in hepatobiliary related topics. He graduated from medical school in May, 2006 and entered his general surgery residency here at Baylor College of Medicine where he is currently completing his last year of residency training. During his time at BCM, he spent two years in the lab under

ISSUE 1 n 2013

Inside2 Ross W. Shepherd, MD

3 Annual Report

4 New KidneyTransplant Center

5 Houston VA Liver Transplant Center Exceeds

National Average

6 Honors and Awards

7 Publications/Abstracts

The Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery

bdominalTRANSPLANT

Photo by Scott Holmes

Continued on page 2 > > >

his mentors, Dr. John Goss and Dr. Christine O’Mahony. Their research focused on liver transplant outcomes as well as basic science research involving carcinogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Along with Dr. Ronald Cotton, he helped develop a comprehensive liver tissue repository in collaboration with the BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center. Dr. Guiteau is joining the Division of Abdominal Transplantation as a transplant fellow in July, 2013.

RONALD COTTON, MD

A native Houstonian, Dr. Ronald Cotton graduated valedictorian from the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in 1998. Upon graduation, he entered the Houston Premedical Academy, an 8-year BS/MD program housed at the University of Houston and Baylor College of Medicine. Ronald completed a bachelor’s of science in biology

summa cum laude in 2002 and medical doctorate in 2006. After finishing medical school, he entered his general surgery residency at BCM. During his residency, Dr. Cotton completed a two-year research fellowship at the BCM Liver, Kidney and Pancreas Center and the BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center. There, his research interest centered on developing a high-quality tissue repository, and using these samples to detect genomic differences between Hepatitis B-, Hepatitis C-, and non-viral associated hepatocellular carcinoma. His research

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Ross W. Shepherd, MD, FRACP, FRCPDr. Shepherd, Professor of Pediatrics in BCM’s Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition joined Texas Children’s Liver Center as Medical Director July 1, 2012. He is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where he was formerly Medical Director of Pediatric Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Queensland Medical School, where he was Director of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Shepherd has garnered a national and inter-na tional reputation as a leader in pediatric gastro enter-ology, hepatology and nutrition, with particular focus on pediatric liver transplantation. His clinical and academic interests have focused on pediatric liver diseases and transplantation, and nutritional disorders in children where his experience spans more than 25 years. He was a member of the pioneering team that performed the world’s first successful living donor liver transplant from a mother to her child in 1989, which paved the way for development of segmental liver transplants for small children. He has contributed chapters to several major texts on pediatric liver disease and liver surgery, co-authored over 150 original research papers and has given over 200 invited lectures. He has been active in the Studies in Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) group, and has served on the pediatric subcommittee of the United

Network of Organ Sharing, and on the editorial board of Pediatric Transplantation. Major goals of Dr. Shepherd’s research is to improve outcomes of infants with Biliary Atresia (a major indication for liver transplantation in children), and outcomes from pediatric liver transplantation. Dr. Shepherd joins the TCH Liver Center at a time which marks the expansion of its clinical service, which is now the largest pediatric liver transplant program in the United States, and arguably the world having performed more than 39 transplants in 2012,

with 20 children on the waiting list. The clinical outcomes of the TCH liver transplant program exceeds national standards for patient and graft survival according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, even with increasing volumes of patients and transplants. The survival rate is statistically significantly higher than expected. The multidisciplinary team which provides these services has comprehensive experience for all indications for liver transplantation in children, including biliary atresia, liver tumors, metabolic diseases, and acute liver failure. An important aspect of care particularly with respect to the use of segmental adult donor livers involves close cooperation between the BCM Liver, Kidney and Pancreas Center with highly trained and experienced physicians and state-of-the-art technology. A recent focus of our program is a seamless approach to early diagnosis of disease, and medical and surgical management of patients listed for transplantation for biliary atresia.

has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publication as well as local, national and international presentations. Dr. Cotton has received numerous clinical accolades during his residency, including being named a 2012 Raleigh Ross Scholar by the Texas Surgical Society. He will complete his residency in June 2013. In addition to his professional obligations, Dr. Cotton maintains a wide variety of community and charitable involvements. He is married to Dr. Amber Callis, fellow Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions alumni and practicing pediatric dentist in Sugarland. In their spare time, they enjoy travel, exercise, music, food, and wine.

Fellows Continued from page 1

TCH Liver CenterThis past year, Texas Children’s Hospital performed more pediatric liver transplants than any other liver transplant center in the country.

Ross W. Shepherd, MD, FRACP, FRCP

Drs. O’Mahony and Goss performing one of 39 pediatric liver transplants in 2012. Photo by Scott Holmes

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Annual ReportThis past year we have increased our transplant volume, while maintaining higher than expected outcomes. We continue to deliver results at or above national averages according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). For 2012, Texas Children’s Trans plant Services retained a 100% 1-year survival rate for both grafts and patients (under age 18), while attaining the distinction of being the largest program for children in the country.

Based on hepatology patient visits by BCM faculty.

Outcomes: Patient and Graft Survival

BCM Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Activity 2012HEPATOLOGY TRENDS Patient visits at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital

1 month and 1 year SRTR survival data based on transplants performed 01/01/2009-06/30/2011; 3-year survival data based on transplants performed 07/01/2006-12/31/2008.

Renal Transplant Activity 2012Christine O’Mahony, MD, was named Director of the Section of Renal Transplant Surgery at BCM under the direction of Abdominal Transplant chief John Goss, MD in 2012. Dr. O’Mahony’s dual responsibilities within the Department and at our affiliate hospitals will enable her to maximize her efforts to further growth and development of the Renal Transplant Program at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. O’Mahony is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at BCM and Surgical Director of Kidney Trans planta-tion at Texas Children’s Hospital. She joined the Department in 2004 after completing her fellowship at NYU Medical Center/SUNY Downstate New York and surgery residency at UT-San Antonio. Since that time, she has contributed significantly to the program and has earned the broad respect of her colleagues and collaborators. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment in our history as we are poised to begin a kidney transplant program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, which she will direct as well.

BCM Transplant VolumeJan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2012

St. Luke’s Episcopal HospitalRenal transplants 91CAD 74LRD 17

Texas Children’s HospitalRenal transplants 23CAD 17LRD 6

Total 114

CAD = Cadaveric donor, LRD = Living related donor.

BCM Transplant Volume Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2012

St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Liver transplants 57

Texas Children’s Hospital Liver transplants 39

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Liver transplants 9

Total 105

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Annual Report Continued from page 3

Outcomes: Patient and Graft Survival

1 month and 1 year SRTR survival data based on transplants performed 01/01/2009-06/30/2011; 3-year survival data based on transplants performed 07/01/2006-12/31/2008.

Pancreas Transplant Activity 2012St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Transplant

Volume July. 1, 2012 - Dec. 31, 2012

SPK 7

PAK 1

SPULK 1

SPLK 1

Total Transplants 10

SPK = Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant, PAK = Pancreas after kidney, SPULK = Simultaneous pancreas and unrelated live donor kidney, SPLK = Simultaneous deceased donor pancreas and live donor kidney.

Houston VA Expands Surgery Services with New Kidney Transplant CenterHOUSTON – Last week, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) received final approval from the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a Kidney Transplant Center. There are currently only four centers within VA that perform kidney transplantation for Veterans (Iowa, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Oregon). “Currently, we are training and hiring staff, analyzing patient data for transplant suitability, and putting medical processes in place. We believe we will perform our first kidney transplant in 12 to 18 months,” said Samir S. Awad, MD, MEDVAMC Operative Care Line executive, who is listed as one of the best doctors in the nation in the field of critical care medicine. “Once our program matures, we estimate our Kidney Transplant Center will perform 40 to 60 transplants a year, limited only by the availability of organs.” With the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among Veterans, an increasing number are being referred to the existing VA kidney transplant centers. There are an estimated 8,000 Veterans with chronic kidney disease within 400 miles of Houston; 75 Veterans are currently

on waiting lists at local community hospitals. In addition to southeast Texas, the MEDVAMC’s new Kidney Transplant Center will serve Veterans throughout the southeastern United States. Kidney transplant candidates must undergo detailed physical, laboratory and psychological evaluations to ensure proper selection and therapy. Tests are done to confirm the diagnosis, and to assess the candidate’s ability to tolerate surgery. “A couple of the key reasons the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center was selected to become a Kidney Transplant Center are our outstanding surgery program, our talented, top-notch staff, and our successful Liver Transplant Program,” said Adam C. Walmus, MHA, MA, FACHE, MEDVAMC director. Managed by the surgical director of the MEDVAMC Liver Transplant Program, John A. Goss, MD, FACS, the goal of the new Kidney Transplant Center is to provide the same high level of care to the Veteran population. Goss has performed many surgical “firsts” in Houston,

Continued on page 5 > > >

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Kidney Transplant Center Continued from page 4

including the first split liver adult and pediatric transplants, the first adult living donor liver transplant, the first dual organ lung-liver transplant, and the first dual organ heart-liver transplant. He is also a professor of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, chief of the Division of Abdominal Transplantation at Baylor College of Medicine, and the program director of the liver transplant programs at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, The Methodist Hospital, and Texas Children’s Hospital. The MEDVAMC launched its Liver Transplant Program in 2007; 44 successful transplantations have been performed to date without complications. Many patients with liver disease also develop renal failure as their disease progresses. Having the ability to perform kidney transplantation eliminates the need to refer Veterans facing this added complication to another medical facility; thus, improving overall quality of care.

The VA National Transplant Program started providing solid organ transplants to Veterans in 1961. Thomas E. Starzl, M.D. performed VA’s first kidney transplant at the VA medical center in Denver. Since then, the VA National Transplant Program has expanded services to provide Veterans with heart transplant services in 1980, bone marrow in 1982, liver in 1989, and lung in 1991. Most transplants are performed in specific VA medical centers across the country. VA also utilizes several VA sharing agreements with University affiliates and local emergency contracts for critical heart and liver cases.

Courtesy Bobbi Gruner, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Survival Rates Exceed National Averages for Houston VA Liver Transplant ProgramHOUSTON (Jan. 10, 2013) – The survival rates for patients receiving liver transplants at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) exceed national averages at statistically significant levels according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. “The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center’s program for the treatment of liver disease is among the most advanced in the country,” said Samir S. Awad, MD, Operative Care Line executive and an associate professor in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. “Given that we provide excellent care for Veterans with end-stage liver disease preoperatively and postoperatively, the ability to meet their transplantation surgical needs is a tremendous advantage.” According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, the MEDVAMC Liver Transplant Program’s one-year patient survival rate is 97.06 percent, compared to an expected survival rate of 90.30 percent and the national hospital average of 89.53 percent. The program’s three-year patient survival rate is 83.33 percent, compared to an expected survival rate of 73.93 percent and the national hospital average of 79.85 percent. The expected survival rate reflects the health condition of the program’s transplant patients. Besides being the busiest surgery program in the Department of Veterans Affairs, MEDVAMC is well-known for tackling the most complex surgical

cases, with patients usually older and in poorer health than other hospitals. Featuring advanced robotic surgery technology, the hospital’s surgery department was the first VA to use a computerized, operating room real-time location system to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of day-of-surgery operations by directly coordinating and supporting surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, patients, family members, and related support personnel and activities. “We see these patients first, and they are sicker than you can imagine,” said Blase A. Carabello, MD, Medical Care Line executive and the Moncrief Professor of Medicine and vice chairman in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “Our extraordinary team of doctors, nurses, and support personnel truly give these patients a second chance at life.” The MEDVAMC transplant team, led by Liver Transplant Surgical Director John A. Goss, MD and

Continued on page 8 > > >

Honors and AwardsJACQUELINE A. LAPPIN, MD, was selected to serve on Aetna’s Abdominal Solid Organ Transplant Physician Advisory Committee, Nov. 2012.

Dr. Lappin was also listed in Texas Monthly as a 2012 Texas Super Doctor in the Transplant Surgery category.

JOHN A. GOSS, MD, was listed in Texas Monthly as a 2012 Texas Super Doctor in the Transplant Surgery category. Dr. Goss was also listed in America’s Top Doctors 2012 - Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., and Top Doctor 2012, US News & World Report.

RISE STRIBLING, MD, was voted by her Peers, “The Top 300 Physicians in Houston” in Hepatology by her peers, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine’s Doctors’ Choice, Fall 2012.

Meetings and PresentationsJOHN A. GOSS, MD“Donor and Allocation Issues: Advances in Living and Split Liver Transplantation,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

F. BLAINE HOLLINGER, MD“Anti-Viral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B: Sustained Viral Suppression & Disease Improvement,” Hepatology/Liver Transplantation Conference, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, November 19, 2012.

“HBV - Epidemiology and Prevention,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

“Prevention of Perinatal Hepatitis B Transmission,” Asian Pacific Digestive Week 2012, Bangkok, Thailand, December 5-8, 2012.

KHOZEMA HUSSAIN, MD“Application of New Insights for AASLD/EASL Practice Guidelines for Alcoholic Liver Disease,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

PRASUN JALAL, MD“HCV Therapy: Pre-Clinical and Early Clinical Develop-ment,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

CHARLES GIA PHAN, MD“HBV - Treatment and Clinical Trials,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

GAGAN SOOD, MD“Advances in the Management of Complications of Portal Hypertension,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

Speaker, “Advances in the Management of Complications of Portal Hypertension,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012

NORMAN SUSSMAN, MD“Application of New Insights for AASLD Guidelines for Acute Liver Failure,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

“The Silent Crisis: Underdiagnosis of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the API Community,” Asian Health Com-munications CME Program, Katy, TX, December 4, 2012.

“2012 Post Conference Update: AASLD,” Simply Speaking® HBV CME program, Houston, TX, December 5, 2012.

JOHN M. VIERLING, MD“HCV Clinical Trials: New Agents and Interferon-Free,” 3rd Annual AASLD Highlights Conference, Texas Gulf Coast Gastroenterological Society, Houston, TX, December 1, 2012.

CHRISTINE A. O’MAHONY, MD“Pediatric Kidney Transplantation,” Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, December 19, 2012.

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PublicationsO’Mahony CA, Goss JA. The Future of Liver Transplantation. Tex Heart I J 2012 December; 39(6):874-75.

Harring TR, Nguyen NT, Cotton RT, Guiteau JJ, Salas de Armas IA, Liu H, Goss JA, O’Mahony CA. Liver transplantation with donation after cardiac death donors: a comprehensive update. J Surg Res. 2012 Nov;178(1):502-11.

Winston DJ, Saliba F, Blumberg E, Abouljoud M, Garcia-Diaz JB, Goss JA, Clough L, Avery R, Limaye AP, Ericzon BG, Navasa M, Troisi RI, Chen H, Villano SA, Uknis ME; for the 1263-301 Clinical Study Group. Efficacy and Safety of Maribavir Dosed at 100 mg Orally Twice Daily for the Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Disease in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Controlled Trial. Am J Transplant 2012 Nov;12(11):3021-30.

Das GC, Hollinger FB. Molecular Pathways for Glucose Homeostais, Insulin Signaling and Autophagy in Hepatitis C Virus Induced Insulin Resistance in a Cellular Model. Virology. 2012 Dec 5;434(1):5-17.Vierling JM. Hepatitis C Virus Viral Assys in the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era. Clin Liver Dis. 2013 Feb;17(1):27-45.

Selmi C, Ceribelli A, Vierling JM. Suspected and Unsuspected Factors in the Multifaceted Immunopathology of Viral Hepatitis. Semin Immunopathol. 2013 Jan;35(1):1-5.

Flamm SL, Lawitz E, Jacobson I, Bourlière M, Hezode C, Vierling JM, Bacon BR, Niederau C, Sherman M, Goteti V, Sings HL, Barnard RO, Howe JA, Pedicone LD, Burroughs MH, Brass CA, Albrecht JK, Poordad F. Boceprevir with Peginterferon Alfa-2a-Ribavirin is Effective for Previously Treated Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Infection. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Jan;11(1):81-87.

Hwang JP, Vierling JM, Zelenetz AD, Lackey SC, Loomba R. Hepatitis B Virus Management to Prevent Reactivation after Chemotherapy: a Review. Support Care Cancer. 2012 Nov;20(11):2999-3008.

Abstracts Feld JJ, Jacobson IM, Jensen DM, Foster GR, Pol S, Tam E, Berak H, Vierling JM, Tavel J, Navarro MT, Shahdad S, Kulkarni R, Le Pogam S, Najera I, Lim CY, Yetzer ES. Up to 100% SVR4 rates with ritonavir-boosted danoprevir (DNVr), mericitabine (MCB) and ribavirin (R) ± pegininterferon alfa-2a (40KD) (P) in HCV genotype 1-infected partial and null responders: results from the MATTERHORN study, Hepatology 2012; 56:4(Suppl): 231A. Presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the study of Liver Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, November 9-13, 2012.

Rockey DC, Vierling JM, Mantry PS, Ghabril M, Brown RS, Alexeeva O, Zupanets IA, Grinevich VB, Baranovsky A, Dudar LV, Fadieienko G, Kharchenko N, Klyaryts`ka I, Morozov VG, Grewal P, McCashland TM, Reddy KG, Reddy KR, Syplyviy V, Bass NM, Dickinson K, Norris C, Coakley DF, Mokhtarani M, Scharschmidt BF Randomized, controlled, double blind study of glycerol phenylbutyrate in patients with cirrhosis and episodic hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatology 2012; 56:4(Suppl): 248A. Presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the study of Liver Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, November 9-13, 2012.

Hassanein T, Lawitz E, Crespo I, Davis M, DeMicco MP, Nelson DR, Bernstein DE, Afdhal N, Jacobson IM, Vierling JM, Gordon SC, Anderson J, Hyland RH, Hindes R, Symonds WT, Albanis E, Arora S, Kowdley KV. Once Daily Sofosbuvir (GS-7977) plus PEG/RBV: High Early Response Rates Are Maintained During Post-Treatment Follow-Up In Treatment-Naïve Patients With HCV Genotype 1, 4, and 6 Infection in the ATOMIC Study. Hepatology 2012; 56:4(Suppl): 306A. Presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the study of Liver Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, November 9-13, 2012.

Hézode C, Hirschfield GM, Ghesquiere W, Sievert W, Rodriguez-Torres M, Shafran SD, Thuluvath PJ, Tatum HA, Waked I, Esmat GE, Lawitz E, Rustgi VK, Pol S, Weis N, Pockros P, Bourliere M, Serfaty L, Vierling JM, Fried MW, Weiland O, Brunetto MR, Everson GT, Zeuzem S, Kwo PY, Sulkowski MS, Brau N, Wind-Rotolo M, Liu Z, Hughes EA, Schnittman SM, Yin PD. Daclatasvir, an NS5A Replication Complex Inhibitor,Combined With Peginterferon Alfa-2a and

Continued on page 8

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ST. LUKE’S COOLEY TRANSPLANT CENTER

Liver Baylor Clinic Building 6620 Main, Suite 1450 Houston, TX 77030 Appointments: 877.685.0361 Patients: 832.355.6461

Kidney/Pancreas O’Quinn Medical Tower 6624 Fannin Street, Suite 1610 Houston, TX 77030 Appointments: 877.685.0361 Patients: 713.798.7330

ST. LUKE’S CENTER FOR LIVER DISEASE6620 Main, Suite 1450 Houston, Texas 77030 Main Number: 832.355.1400 New Patients: 832.355.1471 Follow-up Patients: 832.355.1495

TEXAS CHILDREN’S TRANSPLANT SERVICES11th floor, Clinical Care Center 6621 Fannin Street Houston, Texas 77030 Appointments: 866.683.8032 For referral or other information: 832.822.1551

MICHAEL E. DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, Texas 77030 Appointments: 713.791.1414, Ext. 6524 Toll-Free: 800.639.5137

Ribavirin in Treatment-Naive HCV-Genotype 1 or 4 Subjects: Phase 2b COMMAND-1 SVR12 Results. Hepatology 2012; 56:4(Suppl): 553A. Presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the study of Liver Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, November 9-13, 2012.

Marcellin P, Vierling JM, Bacon BR, Manns MP, Fandozzi CM, Gress J, Gilbert CL, Hwang P, Wahl J, Cooreman M, Mobashery N. Weeks in Combination With Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2B and Ribavirin for 24 Weeks in HCV Genotype 1 Treatment-Naive Noncirrhotic Patients. Hepatology 2012; 56:4(Suppl): 561A. Presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the study of Liver Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, November 9-13, 2012.

Shiffman ML, Muir AJ, Vierling JM, Gordon SC, Kugelmas M, Wu GY, Nguyen TT, Balart LA, McHutchison JG, Armstrong BR, Mann DL, Guo Z, King TH, Ferraro J, Mattson A, Rodell TC, Apelian D. GI-5005 Therapeutic Vaccine Enhances Virologic Clearance By Peg-IFN/Ribavirin In Naive HCV Genotype 1 Patients With IL28B Genotype T/T. Hepatology 2012; 56:4(Suppl): 570A. Presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the study of Liver Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts. November 9-13, 2012.

Clinics and CentersAbstracts Continued from page 4

VA Liver Transplant ProgramContinued from page 5

Transplant Hepatologist Khozema Hussain, MD, includes a full range of patient care and support personnel, and all are committed to achieving better-than-expected survival rates, according to Adam C. Walmus, MHA, MA, FACHE, Medical Center Director. “Our outstanding surgery program, our talented, top-notch staff, and our successful Liver Transplant Program were three of the reasons the DeBakey VA was recently approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a Kidney Transplant Center,” said J. Kalavar, MD, Medical Center Chief of Staff. “We constantly strive to provide Veterans the best health care anywhere.” The MEDVAMC Liver Transplant Program began in 2007 and performed its 50th procedure on November 19, 2012. Transplants are the most advanced treatment for patients with severe, end-stage disease with no other effective, available medical or surgical treatments, according to clinicians. Liver transplant candidates must undergo detailed physical, laboratory, and psychological evaluations to ensure proper selection and therapy. Tests are done to confirm the diagnosis of end-stage liver disease, to rule out other potential treatments, and to assess the candidate’s ability to tolerate surgery.

Courtesy Bobbi Gruner, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

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The Abdominal Transplant newsletter is a publication of The Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine

To be added to the Newsletter e-mail database please write to:

Scott C. Holmes, CMIOne Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM390

Houston, Texas 77030or e-mail: surgerynews@bcm.edu

Editor-in-ChiefJohn Goss, MD

Editor Scott C. Holmes, CMI

© 2013 Baylor College of Medicine

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Donate Life TexasDONATE LIFE TEXAS, a nonprofit corporation, has

been created with the support of the state’s three organ

procurement organizations (OPOs). Donate Life Texas

is now responsible for managing the state’s organ,

tissue, and eye donor registry—the Glenda Dawson

Donate Life - Texas Registry—in an effort to increase

the number of Texans who commit to donation. State

Representative Glenda Dawson, a kidney transplant

recipient herself, led the effort to create the registry

before her passing in 2006. Individuals who wish to

be an organ/tissue donor no longer need to fill out a

donor card or have a sticker affixed to their license; they

can simply register online at www.donatelifetexas.org.