Lung Transplant Program
Among the Nation’s Best Lung Transplant Centers
In part because we are aggressive in our approach to procuring donor lungs, we have some of the shortest wait times in the nation. While the lung transplant process is challenging, you can feel confident choosing Duke for your care. Our lung transplant program is the largest in the U.S. based on the number of transplants performed. If lung disease has severely damaged your lungs and you are a candidate for lung transplant surgery, our team of experts can help you get your life back, unaffected by lung disease.
With You Every Step of the Way
Helping You Through the Process
The entire Duke lung transplant team -- including doctors and surgeons, nutritionists, pulmonary rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and more -- is here to support you through every step of your journey. Our transplant coordinators are nurses with special training and experience in lung transplant care. They will help you navigate the transplant process and are available to answer all your questions 24/7. We provide educational care guides and many other resources to prepare you and your family for transplant. Dedicated financial coordinators work with you one-on-one to help with the financial aspects of transplantation.
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child, Sara Kominsky has had two double lung transplants at Duke.
Preparing You Physically for Transplant
Evidence shows that better physical functioning going into transplant improves outcomes. That’s why pulmonary rehabilitation and physical fitness are integral parts of our lung transplant program. Our pulmonary rehabilitation program is led by respiratory and physical therapists who specialize in preparing people for lung transplant surgery and recovery. They will monitor your oxygen needs, lead you in exercises to build up your body in preparation for surgery, and teach you breathing and lung-clearing techniques to help you after transplant.
Other Duke Resources and Support
Receiving care at Duke means that you’ll have access to a wide range of experts, should you need them. These may include cardiologists, infectious disease experts, speech pathologists, and respiratory and physical therapists. You’ll also be connected with social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and others who will tend to your mental and emotional needs. We can put you in touch with former Duke lung transplant recipients who have volunteered to talk with people who are going through the process.
If you are interested in making an appointment for an evaluation, please ask your pulmonologist to submit a referral.
Lung transplant surgery is performed at Duke University Hospital. Pre- and post-transplant appointments take place at our pulmonology clinic in Durham.
Where you receive your care matters. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why our pulmonology and lung surgery program is nationally ranked, and the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2023–2024.