Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship

The Abdominal Transplant Surgery Fellowship at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is a two-year American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) accredited program, focused on clinical aspects of abdominal transplantation. We accept three fellows every two years.

A high volume abdominal transplant program, Ohio State’s Comprehensive Transplant Center annually performs approximately 150 adult liver transplants, 330 kidney transplants (100 from living donors), 15 kidney-pancreas transplants and 100 multi-organ procurements. Vascular access for hemodialysis is also covered by our transplant team. We perform both living kidney and living liver transplants, and have a pediatric abdominal transplant program in partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Program Highlights

Each transplant fellow is involved in all phases of transplantation, including donor offers, patient preparation, working with the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) lab and pre- and postoperative clinics. We have a strong research and educational program with excellent faculty support and mentorship.

In summary, our fellows gain exceptional surgical training in all aspects of abdominal organ transplantation and will be able to practice transplant surgery independently by the end of their fellowship.

Note from Fellowship Director:

Thank you for your interest in our program! Ohio State’s Abdominal Transplant Fellowship was initiated in 1984 and graduates an average of one surgeon per year. As one of the largest transplant programs in the United States, our faculty members are dedicated to graduating outstanding transplant surgeons who serve as productive team members from day one. Our fellows are located nationally and internationally, and many of them are in leadership roles.

If you have questions about our program, please contact me:

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

Application Process

Applicants for the Abdominal Transplant Match are required to submit the following documents using the SF Match Central Application Service (CAS):

  • Complete CAS application form at www.sfmatch.org
  • Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Three letters of recommendation, including one from current residency program director and two from surgeons who have worked with you clinically

Please Note: All applications must be submitted using SF Match Central Application Service. Applications sent directly to The Ohio State University Abdominal Transplant Fellowship Program will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed with applicants notified of the decision regarding an interview.

Rotations

Each fellow will rotate among three rotations – donor/vascular access, kidney/pancreas, and liver. During the rotation, the fellow is supported by the attending surgeon, advanced practice providers, and surgery residents. Experiences for the fellow includes all aspects of surgical care and patient management.

Surgical Experience

The fellow evaluates recipients of both living and deceased donor organs and prepares patients for transplantation. Operating room responsibilities include performing both deceased donor and living donor renal transplantation, laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy, kidney-pancreas transplantation, liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery.

Additionally, the fellow participates in all surgical complications and emergencies in post-transplant recipients. During the second year of training, the fellow assumes the role of teacher, training general surgery residents in the operative techniques of vascular access and transplantation.

Rounds

The fellow is responsible for day-to-day management of post-transplant kidney, pancreas, and liver recipients. The fellow rounds with the team led by the attending on a daily basis and involved with medical, surgical, and immunosuppression decision-making. This includes post-operative management, surgical complications, and medical complications including rejection.

Research

There are plenty of opportunities to participate in clinical and basic science research, including:

Significant opportunities exist for health services research in the Department of Surgery and transplant outcomes within the Division of Transplantation Surgery.

Additional learning opportunities

The fellow is required to complete the Academic Universe modules, attending all general surgery conferences (weekly grand rounds and the weekly Morbidity and Mortality update).

Training-specific conferences include:

  • Renal and pancreas recipient selection
  • Living kidney donor selection
  • Liver recipient selection
  • Living liver donor selection
  • Weekly education conference organized by the fellowship director
  • Weekly transplant/pathology (kidney and liver) biopsy conference
  • Transplant Center grand rounds every Tuesday
  • Liver tumor board

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