Pancreas Transplant Program

Mayo Clinic's pancreas transplant doctors and surgeons use proven innovations to successfully treat people whose pancreas no longer functions properly. Their multidisciplinary approach and broad experience translate to better outcomes for people with diabetes, kidney failure and other complex conditions. Their expertise with a wide range of transplant techniques gives you the most appropriate treatment for your situation.

Mayo Clinic's specialists focus on your needs, bringing to your situation the strength of their:

• Experience. Surgeons perform nearly 50 pancreas transplants each year at Mayo Clinic's three sites in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona. Their deep experience means treatments with high rates of success tailored to your needs. Mayo Clinic surgeons are experts in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant, pancreas-after-kidney transplant and solitary pancreas transplant procedures.

• Teamwork. Our pancreas and kidney transplant specialists are dedicated to giving each patient the best possible treatment. They take time to listen to the needs of you and your family. Your care team works with you and a multidisciplinary team of doctors across nephrology, endocrinology, infectious disease management and other specialties to provide the treatment you need.

  By working together, your surgeons, doctors, transplant nurses, pharmacists, social workers and others manage every aspect of your pancreas transplant, from planning through post-surgical care.

• Advancing in the field. Mayo Clinic physicians have advanced the science and clinical practice related to many procedures — including simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant, solitary pancreas transplant or pancreas-after-kidney transplant — that enable more people to have access to safe treatment options.

• Emerging treatments. Our scientists and physicians are involved in research that makes pancreas transplants safer and available to more people. At Mayo Clinic, you may have access to ongoing clinical trials and newly emerging treatments. The Transplant Research Center brings together abdominal surgeons, diabetes doctors (endocrinologists) and collaborators from other centers to develop better treatments every day.

Mayo Clinic surgeons perform pancreas transplants and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants at Mayo Clinic's campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, ranks No. 1 for diabetes and endocrinology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for diabetes and endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals, or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

U.S. patients

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Mayo Clinic pancreas and kidney doctors and surgeons work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the most appropriate treatment for you. They have unparalleled expertise treating people in many areas of pancreas transplant, including those listed below.

• Solitary pancreas transplant
• Pancreas transplant,including for some people with type 2 diabetes
• Combined or simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant
• Pancreas-after-kidney transplant

All pancreas transplants done at Mayo Clinic involve a deceased donor.

Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.

Find doctors and medical staff:

Arizona doctors by specialty

Abdominal transplant surgery (kidney, pancreas, and liver transplant surgeries)

1. Paul E. Andrews, M.D.
2. Jack W. Harbell, M.D.
3. Winston R. Hewitt Jr., M.D.
4. Caroline C. Jadlowiec, M.D.
5. Nitin N. Katariya, M.D.
6. Amit K. Mathur, M.D.
7. Adyr A. Moss, M.D.
8. Michelle C. Nguyen, M.D.
9. Kunam S. Reddy, M.B.B.S.
10. Andrew L. Singer, M.D., Ph.D.

Kidney and pancreas transplant medicine

1. Harini A. Chakkera, M.D.
2. Raymond L. Heilman, M.D.
3. Janna L. Huskey, M.D., medical director, Pancreas Transplant Program
4. Hasan A. Khamash, M.D., medical director, Kidney Transplant Program
5. Girish K. Mour, M.B.B.S., M.D.
6. Sumi Sukumaran Nair, M.B.B.S.

Florida doctors by specialty

Kidney and pancreas transplant

Kidney specialists

1. Tambi Jarmi, M.D.
2. Martin L. Mai, M.D., medical director, Kidney Transplant Program
3. Katherine Oshel, M.D.
4. Mary B. Prendergast, M.B., B.Ch., M.D.
5. Hani M. Wadei, M.D.

Surgeons

1. Justin M. Burns, M.D.
2. Kristopher (Kris) P. Croome, M.D.
3. Shennen A. Mao, M.D.
4. Justin H. Nguyen, M.D.
5. Dana K. Perry, M.D., surgical director, Kidney Transplant Program
6. C. Burcin Taner, M.D.

Minnesota doctors by specialty

Kidney and pancreas transplant

Kidney transplant specialists

1. Hatem Amer, M.D.
2. Andrew J. Bentall, M.B., Ch.B., M.D.
3. Carl H. Cramer II, M.D.
4. Mireille El Ters, M.D.
5. Naim S. Issa, M.D.
6. Yogish C. Kudva, M.B.B.S., medical director, Pancreas Transplant Program
7. Aleksandra Kukla, M.D.
8. Timothy S. Larson, M.D.
9. Elizabeth C. Lorenz, M.D.
10. Suzanne M. Norby, M.D.
11. Carrie A. Schinstock, M.D., associate medical director, Kidney Transplant Program
12. Sandra J. Taler, M.D.

Kidney and pancreas transplant surgeons

1. George K. Chow, M.D.
2. Patrick G. Dean, M.D., surgical director, Kidney Transplant Program
3. Scott L. Nyberg, M.D., Ph.D.
4. Mikel Prieto, M.D.
5. Mark D. Stegall, M.D.
6. Timucin Taner, M.D., Ph.D.

Mayo Clinic is a leader in pancreas transplantation, performing more than 50 each year.

Our surgeons are experts in helping people with complex health needs. These include people who need a pancreas-kidney transplant, select patients with type 1 diabetes, and select patients with type 2 diabetes.

Mayo Clinic surgeons have performed more than 950 successful pancreas transplants since 1987 and contributed to the science of transplantation, making pancreas transplants safer and available to more people.

Pancreas transplant outcomes at Mayo Clinic compare favorably with the national average.

Nationally recognized expertise

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, ranks No. 1 for diabetes and endocrinology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for diabetes and endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report.

Learn more about Mayo Clinic's quality rankings.

Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.

For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:

Mayo Clinic scientists, doctors and surgeons develop pancreas and kidney transplant advances that make transplants safer and available to more people.

Mayo's teams conduct laboratory studies, clinical trials and other clinical research on every aspect of conditions related to pancreas and kidney transplants. They often collaborate with other centers nationwide and abroad, sharing their advances to improve patient care everywhere.

Mayo Clinic researchers are also focused on eliminating the need for pancreas transplant. For example, they are leaders in a major artificial pancreas study involving five U.S. centers and three in Europe. An effective artificial pancreas would mean people with type 1 diabetes could control it without surgery.

Read more about the many kidney and pancreas transplant research studies supported by the Transplant Research Center.

Publications

See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic authors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of Mayo Clinic transplant patients.

Pancreas transplant costs and insurance information

Mayo Clinic has dedicated transplant financial services representatives and social workers who can assist you with insurance and financial questions regarding your transplant.

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. Many insurance companies require you to get preapproval authorization prior to transplant services.

Insurance information

Before your transplant, it's important that you work closely with your insurance company to understand your benefit plan. You'll be responsible for any of your transplant and medical care costs not covered by your insurance company.

You may want to ask your insurance company several questions regarding your transplant expenses, including:

• What is the specific coverage of my plan? What are my deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, lifetime maximum amount, and annual maximum amounts for both medical care and transplant services?
• Does my plan have a pre-existing or waiting period clause? If so, what is the time frame? Can this be waived?
• Does my plan include pharmacy coverage? If so, will my plan cover my current medications and immunosuppressant medications?
• Does my plan require any special approvals for evaluation or transplant? How long does the approval process take once submitted to insurance?
• Does my plan cover my transportation and lodging expenses during my transplant care?
• Does my current insurance require enrollment in Medicare when eligible?
• Does my insurance follow Medicare Coordination of Benefits guidelines?
• How will my current coverage change after enrolling in Medicare? Will my plan become a supplemental or secondary plan?

If your plan is a Medicare supplement, ask questions including:

• Does my plan follow Medicare guidelines?
• Does my plan cover Medicare Part A and B deductible and coinsurance?
• Does my plan have a pre-existing or waiting period? If so, what is the time frame?
• Does my plan offer an option for Medicare Part D coverage?

Other expenses

Please plan for other expenses that may occur related to your transplant, which may include follow-up medical appointments, long-term medications, caregiver expenses, travel, parking, lodging and other expenses.

For international patients

Mayo Clinic has dedicated international patient account representatives who can assist you with questions regarding your costs and insurance. Read more about international financial services.

Case managers

Mayo Clinic financial staff will work closely with your case managers from your insurance company. Your case manager, who is assigned to you, is available to answer questions and calls related to your insurance costs.

People with type 1 diabetes often may be candidates for a pancreas transplant. Some people with type 2 diabetes and post-total pancreatectomy diabetes may be eligible for a pancreas transplant.

Doctors recommend pancreas transplants for people with diabetes to:

• Reduce or eliminate the risk of severe low blood sugar reactions
• Eliminate the need for insulin injections
• Potentially prevent or improve diabetes complications
• Improve quality of life

Your transplant team will evaluate you to determine whether a pancreas transplant may be safe and beneficial for you. Your comprehensive evaluation includes blood tests, imaging studies and other tests. Doctors will check you for other serious conditions, including heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, cancer, foot or leg ulcers, and significant insulin resistance.

Volumes and outcomes

Mayo Clinic doctors' experience and integrated team approach results in transplant outcomes that compare favorably with national averages. Teams work with transplant recipients before, during and after surgery to ensure the greatest likelihood of superior results.

Volumes and statistics are maintained separately for the three Mayo Clinic locations. Taken together or separately, transplant patients at Mayo Clinic enjoy excellent results.

Volumes

Arizona

A total of 23 kidney-pancreas transplants were performed at Mayo Clinic in Arizona in 2023. More than 450 of this type and solitary pancreas transplants have been performed since the program began in 2003.

Florida

Mayo Clinic in Florida has completed 55 solitary pancreas transplants and more than 200 simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants since 2000.

Minnesota

Since 1987, Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has completed 583 pancreas transplants, including 327 solitary pancreas transplants and 256 kidney-pancreas transplants.

Outcomes

Each of the links below connects to an external site, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, which provides many metrics gathered from transplant programs across the United States.

Pancreas Transplant — Adult

• Arizona
• Florida
• Minnesota

Kidney/Pancreas Transplant — Adult

• Arizona
• Florida
• Minnesota