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Alum takes part in pioneering pancreas transplant

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A graduate of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University was part of a pioneering organ transplant recently in Tampa, Fla.

Surgeon Matthew Hunter Witt, MD, (MD ’16) transplanted a donor pancreas at Tampa General Hospital following its 10-hour journey and protection using new technology. It was the world’s first in-human case using the PancreasPak Organ Preservation System, the first commercially available system of its kind.

Unlike other solid organs, the pancreas is extremely delicate and vulnerable to damage during transport. Traditional methods involving plastic coolers and crushed ice expose the organ to harmful freezing temperatures. The new technology maintains the fragile pancreas in an optimal temperature range and transmits temperature and location data to transplant teams, according to a Oct. 30, 2024, news release from the system’s manufacturer, Paragonix.

“For our patients who need a pancreas transplant, this transformative technology is a milestone given the unique challenges associated with transporting this particular organ,” Dr. Witt said in the news release.

Dr. Witt specializes in the surgical management of organ transplantation at the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Institute. He completed specialized training in transplant surgery and is dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care throughout the transplant process. He performs a range of transplant procedures, including kidney transplants, liver transplants, heart transplants, and pancreas transplants, to improve patient survival and quality of life.