Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship

High case volume with graduated autonomy

Our fellows gain exceptional surgical training in all aspects of abdominal organ transplantation. Fellows actively perform key portions of operations including graft preparation, vascular anastomoses, and surgical management of complications under supervision. Fellows should be able to practice transplant surgery independently upon completion of their fellowship.

Structured teaching role

Senior fellows serve as educators and team leaders, guiding general surgery residents through operative cases, bedside teaching, and formal educational sessions. Fellows lead case reviews, skills laboratories and conference discussions, developing the communication, mentorship and leadership skills essential for future academic and program director roles.

Advanced technology exposure

Fellows gain exposure to contemporary surgical technologies, including robotic platforms and advanced minimally invasive techniques.

Commitment to wellness

We prioritize trainee well-being alongside clinical excellence. Balanced call schedules, rotations and protected academic time promote sustainable training, professional growth and long-term career success. Fellows receive individualized guidance to support clinical development, research goals and career planning.

Four service rotation model

Our four service rotation model provides immersive training, increased autonomy, continuous care and consistent high-volume operative experience. Fellows enjoy less service fragmentation, direct faculty mentorship and time for research.

Note from Fellowship Director

Thank you for your interest in the Ohio State Abdominal Transplant Fellowship program. Since 1984, our program has trained dozens of transplant surgeons who now practice and lead programs across the country and internationally. You can view our list of program 'firsts' and expertise here.

With our recent expansion from three to four fellows, we graduate two surgeons per year and provide strong operative exposure, individualized mentorship and research opportunities, while maintaining trainee wellness.

Our faculty members are dedicated to training outstanding transplant surgeons to be technically excellent, clinically thoughtful, academically productive and fully prepared to lead modern abdominal transplant programs.

We look forward to learning more about you. Please contact me if you have any questions: 

Ashley Limkemann, MD, MPH
Director, Transplant Surgery Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery
614-293-4627
Ashley.Limkemann@osumc.edu

Application Process

Abdominal Transplant Match applicants must complete their application via the SF Match Central Application Service (CAS). Any application materials sent directly to our program will not be considered. SF Match CAS applicants will be notified of our program’s decision regarding interviews. Please complete the following activities:

• Complete CAS application form at www.sfmatch.org.
• Upload your current Curriculum Vitae (CV) with month and year listed for all training to CAS.
• Upload three letters of recommendation to CAS: one (1) from your current residency program director and two (2) from surgeons you have worked with clinically.
• International medical graduates are sponsored by J-1 visas.

Rotations

Our four service rotation model ensures immersive training with greater autonomy, stronger continuity of care and consistent high-volume operative exposure. Each fellow will participate rotations with close support from attending surgeons, senior fellows, advanced practice providers and surgery residents, gaining comprehensive experience in operative care and patient management. Experiences for the fellow includes all aspects of surgical care and patient management.

1. Deceased donor recovery and organ assessment with machine perfusion:
   Hands-on donor procurement, logistics, preservation strategies and normothermic machine perfusion.
2. Kidney and pancreas transplantation:
   Living and deceased donor transplantation, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, perioperative management and immunosuppression.
3. Liver transplantation:
   Deceased donor transplantation, implantations, complex vascular and biliary reconstructions, and surgical management of liver transplant complications.
4. Hemodialysis vascular access procedures, elective general surgery procedures and dedicated research time:
   Vascular access creation, elective general surgery in transplant patients and time for clinical research projects with opportunities to participate in industry-sponsored transplant trials.

Surgical Experience

Fellows gain comprehensive, hands-on operative experience across the full spectrum of abdominal transplantation. Responsibilities include evaluation and preparation of both living and deceased donor recipients, donor organ recovery, graft preparation and performance of key operative steps with progressive autonomy. Operative exposure includes:

• Deceased donor kidney and kidney-pancreas transplantation
• Living donor kidney transplantation, including living kidney multi-chain donation
• Opportunity to complete robotic surgery training through our simulation center
• Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy
• Donor liver transplantation including NRP liver recovery and NMP of liver grafts
• Dialysis access and general surgery in transplant patients

Clinical Management Experience

Fellows are responsible for leading the comprehensive, day-to-day care of inpatient kidney, pancreas and liver transplant recipients. By collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, fellows develop in-depth experience in all aspects of perioperative management, including management of immunosuppression.

In addition to routine care, fellows are actively involved in the management of urgent operative complications and surgical emergencies that arise in post-transplant patients. This hands-on responsibility provides critical exposure to acute clinical scenarios, further sharpening clinical decision-making and surgical skills.

Responsibilities include:

• Post-operative care and surgical decision-making
• Immunosuppression adjustment and rejection management