Lucile Wrenshall, M.D., Ph.D., and R. Brian Stevens, M.D., Ph.D., formerly
of the University of Washington in Seattle, have joined the University
of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Health System as co-directors of
the Kidney Pancreas Transplant Program. Dr. Stevens also serves as director
of the new Islet and Cell Transplant Program.
The husband-and-wife surgical team plans to revitalize the kidney pancreas
transplant program by promoting the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy program
— a minimally invasive surgical technique for removing a kidney from a
living donor. They also plan to start an islet cell transplant program,
implement steroid-free immunosuppression protocols for kidney transplant
recipients, boost basic science research and attract more clinical studies.
Dr. Wrenshall is an expert in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and is
one of the surgical leaders in transplant immunology, said Alan Langnas,
D.O., chief of transplantation at UNMC/NHS and professor of surgery. Dr.
Stevens is one of the few surgeons in the United States who has the skills
and abilities to perform islet cell transplants for the treatment of diabetes
mellitus. Its a new and exciting area which will allow us to continue
to be national leaders in solid organ transplant.
Trained at the University of Minnesota, the couple hoped to eventually
return to the Midwest with their two young children. “There was something
special about this place,” Dr. Stevens said. “The University of Nebraska’s
solid organ transplant program is famous and it was a great opportunity
for Lucy and I to run a kidney/pancreas program. We hope to revitalize
the program and bring some new things to it.”
Since arriving in August, Dr. Wrenshall, associate professor of surgery
at UNMC, has introduced laparoscopic donor nephrectomy procedures at UNMC/NHS.
The procedure enhances recovery times as well as alleviates a great deal
of pain for the patient.
“Our hope is that as people learn of this less invasive option for kidney
removal, more people will consider becoming living donors, Dr. Wrenshall
said.
Dr. Wrenshall was the first physician to perform the procedure in Minnesota
while at Fairview Medical Center. After leaving Minneapolis, she started
a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy program at the University of Washington
in Seattle. She became the first physician to perform the procedure in
the Pacific Northwest and did approximately 60 surgeries before joining
UNMC/NHS.
Within a year, Dr. Stevens, assistant professor of surgery and pathology
and microbiology at UNMC,
-more-
plans to start an islet transplant program, a rapidly growing field
which provides another treatment option for patients with Type 1 diabetes.
The islet is a collection of cells responsible for producing insulin.
Dr. Wrenshall, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., earned her medical degree
from Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University in Hershey,
and her doctorate in cell and developmental biology from the University
of Minnesota. Dr. Stevens, a native of Duarte, Calif., earned his medical
degree from the University of California, Davis, and his doctorate from
the University of Minnesota.
Weve had a very active and successful kidney pancreas program, Dr.
Langnas said. The addition of Drs. Wrenshall and Stevens will allow the
program to be even more successful and offer patients better and more innovative
therapies. Were very fortunate to have them here. Theyre exceptional
young surgeons who allow us to be on the forefront of medicine.