Tower Health Transplant Institute to Transition to Penn Medicine, Expanding Access to World-Class Care
With new Penn Medicine regional transplant program, high-quality kidney and liver care will continue at Reading Hospital
Tower Health today announced that its Tower Health Transplant Institute (THTI) and related transplant Nephrology and Hepatology practices will transition to Penn Medicine. THTI’s kidney and liver transplant program will fully integrate with the Penn Transplant Institute, resulting in Penn Medicine establishing a regional transplant program at Reading Hospital. The new regional transplant program will continue to provide high-quality patient screening and pre- and post-transplant kidney and liver care within central Pennsylvania.
As part of the careful integration of both programs, Tower Health’s transplant surgeries will transition in mid-December to the Penn Transplant Institute at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Transplant patients will be provided information about the Penn Transplant Institute, as well as other regional transplant programs throughout the region. The transition will not include the long-standing pediatric kidney transplant service provided by St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. That program will continue at St. Christopher’s.
Since 1966, the Penn Transplant Institute has been a pioneer in organ transplantation and is currently one of the most active solid organ transplant programs in the country. Its leading clinicians and staff have supported more than 12,500 solid organ transplants.
“This is an important and exciting development for Tower Health, allowing us to maintain key kidney and liver care services within the region and provide patients convenient access to one of the most renowned transplant programs in the country,” said P. Sue Perrotty, president and CEO of Tower Health. “While our Transplant Institute and its skilled clinical team have produced excellent outcomes, the long-term costs associated with growing the program were not sustainable. After careful deliberation, moving forward with Penn Medicine was a natural fit to build on our important work and ensure the ongoing viability of these services.”
The transition of THTI reflects Tower Health and Penn Medicine’s shared commitment to central Pennsylvania residents who will now have convenient access to clinical care at one of the nation’s premier transplant programs.
“We want to ensure the vital resource of transplant services is sustained in communities we help to serve,” said Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “By working together, we can continue providing exceptional care, value and a high-quality experience for transplant patients in central Pennsylvania.”
Learn more about the Penn Transplant Institute or read the FAQs.