Transplant Institute
The Transplant Institute, part of the Department of Surgery, offers nationally recognized patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Liver Transplant Program
Excellence in treating advanced liver disease
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Excellence in Treating Advanced Liver Disease
Facing liver failure can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. At the Transplant Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), we offer advanced, personalized liver transplant care.
A liver transplant involves replacing your damaged liver with a healthy liver—or a portion of one—from either a deceased or living donor. Our experienced team of liver transplant surgeons, transplant hepatologists in the Liver Center, and dedicated support staff are committed to guiding you every step of the way.
From your first consultation through recovery and lifelong follow-up, our focus is on making your experience as smooth, safe, and successful as possible.
Learn more about eligibility and evaluation for liver transplant.
More About Liver Transplant
Common Reasons for a Liver Transplant
The most common reason for a liver transplant is cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver. While the liver can regenerate under normal circumstances, long-term damage—caused by illness, injury, or inflammation—can prevent it from healing.
Over time, this damage interferes with vital liver functions, such as:
- Removing toxins from the blood
- Producing proteins that help your blood clot Processing nutrients and hormones Regulating fluid balance in the body
- Scarring can also lead to portal hypertension—increased pressure in the veins around the liver. This can result in fluid buildup, intestinal bleeding, and stress on your kidneys and other organs.
Common causes of cirrhosis include:
- Alcohol-associated liver disease
- Chronic viral hepatitis B, C, or D
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Genetic liver disorders (such as hemochromatosis or Wilson disease)
- Bile duct disorders (such as primary sclerosing cholangitis or biliary atresia)
- Liver Cancers, including Bile Duct cancer
Nationally Recognized Liver Transplant Experts
The core goal of our program is to provide exemplary care to improve the health of our transplant patients, and get each patient transplanted as quickly as possible. Our program has continued to grow over recent years and our patient outcomes have led to national ranking and recognitions.
Our team by the numbers:
- One of the fastest programs in the country for patient transplant wait times. (In 2025, we averaged 14 wait days to transplant.)
- #1 in New England for liver transplant volume
- #3 in the nation for post-transplant patient outcomes
Advancing Liver Transplant Through Clinical Trials
Our mission is to provide world-class care today — and help improve transplant care for tomorrow. As part of that commitment, we participate in clinical trials that explore:
- New medications and therapies
- Strategies to improve transplant success
- Ways to expand transplant eligibility for more patients
Organ Transplant & Donation
Our experienced transplant surgeons offer heart, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants, including living liver and kidney transplantation.
