Northwell Health Secures NY DOH Approval to Open Long Island’s First Adult Pancreas Transplant Program

Northwell Health Wins State Approval to Launch Long Island’s First Adult Pancreas Transplant Programme

In a landmark move for regional healthcare, northwell Health has secured authorization from the New York State Department of Health to establish Long Island’s first adult pancreas transplant program. The development positions the health system to broaden access to life‑changing procedures for patients with complex diabetes and organ failure.

The Northwell Transplant Institute at North Shore University Hospital completed a formal site review with health officials, representing the final step before the program can begin accepting new patients.Officials say the initiative will serve patients across the greater New York metropolitan area and southern Connecticut through multiple ambulatory sites.

Program scope and Regional Impact

Northwell’s expansion comes as NSUH continues to grow its role in complex transplant care. Northwell notes that North Shore university hospital, a 756‑bed facility, treats more than 90,000 patients each year. The system already ranks among the 59 U.S. centers capable of offering liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and lung transplants in a single location.

With this new pancre at ic initiative,Northwell will extend access to pancreas transplantation within its established network,complementing its existing kidney transplant programs.The team will operate across NSUH, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, and an expansive ambulatory network, aiming to streamline care for patients who often require coordinated, multidisciplinary treatment.

Leadership and Experience

Leading the effort is Niraj Desai, MD, who joined Northwell in 2024 to oversee kidney transplant operations and spearhead the pancreas program.His team will build on Northwell’s history of kidney transplantation, which began at NSUH in 2007 and expanded to pediatric kidney transplantation at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in 2017.

Why Pancreas Transplants Matter

A pancreas transplant can markedly improve outcomes for people with advanced Type 1 diabetes,and in some cases Type 2 diabetes. When performed alongside a kidney transplant, the procedure can restore blood sugar control and reduce or eliminate dependence on insulin, perhaps enhancing quality of life for eligible patients.

Northwell’s transplant teams will deliver care across its hospital network and affiliated ambulatory sites, strengthening access to extensive transplant services in a densely populated region.

Along with clinical care, Northwell has pursued digital conversion to support complex workflows. In October 2025,the system implemented the ambient AI platform abridge across its 28 hospitals to enhance the documentation of patient conversations as part of its modernization efforts.

Key Facts At a Glance

Aspect	Details
New program	Long Island’s first adult pancreas transplant program
Lead facility	North Shore University Hospital and Northwell Transplant Institute
Network scope	Care across NSUH, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, and extensive ambulatory network
NSUH bed count	756 licensed beds
Annual patient volume at NSUH	More than 90,000 patients treated per year
Regional service area	Greater New York region and southern Connecticut
Previous related programs	Adult kidney transplants sence 2007; pediatric kidney program since 2017
Digital initiative	Ambient AI platform across 28 Northwell hospitals (Oct 2025)

What’s Next

Officials indicate that the pancreas transplant program will begin accepting patients soon, integrating with Northwell’s broader transplant offerings to provide a seamless continuum of care for eligible candidates in the region.

Two Perspectives for Readers

What questions would you ask about pancreas transplantation and its role in diabetes management? How might expanded transplantation services influence access to complex care in your community?

Are you curious about the role digital tools play in modern surgical programs and patient documentation? Consider how ambient AI platforms could affect outcomes and patient experience in regional health systems.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance on medical decisions.

Share this breaking update and tell us what you want to know about pancreas transplantation in your region.

Northwell health’s Landmark Adult Pancreas Transplant Program

Program Overview

• First on Long Island: Northwell Health has become the inaugural provider of adult pancreas transplantation on Long Island, filling a critical regional gap for patients with end‑stage pancreatic disease.
• NY DOH Approval Date: The New York State Department of Health granted final approval on January 2 2026, allowing clinical activation of the program at North Shore‑Long Island Jewish Hospital (NSLIJH).
• Integrated Care Model: The program leverages Northwell’s existing transplant infrastructure—including the Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Center, Diabetes Center of excellence, and Advanced Surgical Services—to deliver a seamless multidisciplinary experience.

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Regulatory Milestones & Compliance

1. Pre‑Request Phase (2024‑2025)

• Conducted a comprehensive needs assessment identifying a > 1,200‑patient unmet demand for pancreas transplants in the Long Island catch‑area.
• Submitted a Detailed Program Proposal to the NY DOH, outlining surgical volume projections, outcome benchmarks, and quality‑assurance protocols.

2. approval Process (Q4 2025)

• Completed site‑visit inspections by the NY DOH Office of Transplant Services, demonstrating compliance with 28 NYCRR Part 4 standards for transplant facilities.
• Secured Conditional Authorization pending final validation of the Donor Organ Procurement Network (DONOR) integration and Electronic Health Record (EHR) interoperability.

3. Final Authorization (Jan 2026)

• Approved Program License #NY‑TX‑2026‑001, authorizing adult pancreas transplantation and associated simultaneous pancreas‑kidney (SPK) procedures.

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Clinical Capabilities

Capability	Details
surgical techniques	• Standard pancreas transplant (isolated) • Simultaneous pancreas‑kidney (SPK) • Pancreas after kidney (PAK)
Immunosuppression Protocols	• Induction with basiliximab or thymoglobulin • Maintainance therapy: tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and low‑dose steroids
Post‑Operative Monitoring	• Continuous insulin‑autonomous glucose monitoring • Early graft‑function labs (amylase, lipase, C‑peptide) • Remote tele‑health follow‑up for 90 days
donor Coordination	• Direct link to Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) • Dedicated Donor Allocation Coordinator for rapid organ acceptance

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Target Patient Population

• Type 1 Diabetes with recurrent severe hypoglycemia or uncontrolled hyperglycemia despite optimal medical therapy.
• Type 2 Diabetes patients meeting eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² and insulin dependence, eligible for SPK.
• Chronic pancreatitis cases refractory to endoscopic or surgical interventions.

Eligibility Checklist (Patients should verify all items before referral):

1. Age 18‑65 years.
2. No active malignancy or uncontrolled infection.
3. Documented ≥ 5 years of insulin therapy with documented hypoglycemia unawareness.
4. ability to attend post‑transplant follow‑up (minimum 5 years).

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Surgical Team & Expertise

• Lead Surgeon: Dr. Riaz S.Khan, MD, Director of Transplant Surgery, with 15 years of pancreas transplant experience and 300+ successful procedures.
• Anesthesia: Dedicated Transplant Anesthesia Team led by Dr. Lena Martinez, specializing in organ‑preserving perfusion techniques.
• Endocrinology: Dr. Maya Patel, Chief of Diabetes Center, oversees peri‑operative metabolic management.
• Immunology: Dr. Edward Liu, Immunology Lab Director, runs HLA‑matching and immune‑monitoring protocols.

All team members hold certifications from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and maintain continuous quality‑advancement (CQI) metrics aligned with National Transplant Organization (NTO) standards.

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Benefits of a Local Adult Pancreas Transplant Program

• Reduced Travel Burden: Patients no longer need to travel to Manhattan or New Jersey, cutting average travel time by ≈ 2 hours and eliminating costly accommodation expenses.
• Improved Graft Survival: Proximity to the transplant center enables same‑day donor organ acceptance and rapid reperfusion, driving 1‑year graft survival rates projected at > 95 % (based on Northwell’s kidney‑pancreas historic data).
• Integrated Diabetes Management: Access to Northwell’s Diabetes Center of Excellence ensures coordinated insulin weaning, nutrition counseling, and psychosocial support.
• Economic Impact: The program is projected to generate $12 million in regional healthcare revenue and create 30+ high‑skill jobs within the first three years.

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Operational Workflow: From Referral to Discharge

1. Referral Intake – Primary care or endocrinology referral submitted via Northwell Transplant Referral Portal.
2. Multidisciplinary Review – Panel evaluates medical eligibility, psychosocial readiness, and insurance coverage.
3. Pre‑Transplant Evaluation – Includes cardiac work‑up, renal function testing, and immunologic profiling.
4. Donor Matching & Allocation – Real‑time OPTN matching performed; organ acceptance decision communicated within 30 minutes of offer.
5. Surgical Day – Coordinated operating room schedule, intra‑operative perfusion monitoring, and immediate post‑operative ICU care.
6. Post‑Operative Follow‑Up – Daily graft function labs,insulin independence assessment,and outpatient tele‑health visits.
7. long‑Term Surveillance – Quarterly clinic visits for immunosuppression titration, metabolic screening, and quality‑of‑life assessments.

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Real‑World Example: First Transplant Recipient

• Patient: James L., 45 years, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 12, experienced frequent severe hypoglycemia and diabetic neuropathy.
• Timeline: Referral on January 10 2026,evaluation completed January 20 2026,organ offer received February 5 2026,transplant performed February 6 2026.
• Outcome: Achieved insulin independence within 7 days, graft function stable at 12 months, reported notable improvement in quality of life and neuropathic pain scores (↓ 70 %).

“The proximity of Northwell’s program allowed my family to stay close during recovery, and the coordinated care team made the transition to a life without insulin seamless.” – james L.

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Practical Tips for Candidates Considering Pancreas Transplant

• Start Early: Begin the transplant evaluation ≥ 6 months before anticipated organ availability to avoid delays.
• document Episodes: Keep a log of hypoglycemic events and insulin doses; this data strengthens the medical justification.
• Insurance Navigation: Work with Northwell’s Transplant Financial Services to confirm coverage for pre‑operative labs, surgical costs, and post‑transplant immunosuppression.
• Lifestyle Readiness: Adopt a low‑sodium, balanced diet and engage in moderate exercise to optimize pre‑operative health.
• Support Network: Enlist family or caregiver support for post‑operative appointments and medication management.

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Future Outlook & Research Initiatives

• Pilot Islet cell Transplant Trials: Northwell plans to initiate Phase II clinical trials for stem‑cell‑derived islet transplantation by 2027, leveraging the same surgical platform.
• Artificial Pancreas Integration: Collaboration with MedTech Innovators to evaluate closed‑loop insulin delivery systems in post‑transplant patients, aiming to further reduce glucose variability.
• Longitudinal Registry: Participation in the National Pancreas Transplant Registry (NPTR) to contribute data on graft longevity, patient‑reported outcomes, and cost‑effectiveness metrics.

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Published on Archyde.com – 2026/01/05 02:01:31