Nazih Zuhdi Transplantation Institute in Oklahoma City: The Region's Transplant Specialty Center

The Nazih Zuhdi Transplantation Institute, located within OU Medicine's Oklahoma City campus, is a freestanding surgical center dedicated exclusively to organ and tissue transplantation. It serves as the primary transplant facility for central Oklahoma and operates as a regional referral hub for kidney, pancreas, liver, and heart transplants. The institute is named for Nazih Zuhdi, the Oklahoma City surgeon who performed the world's first successful human heart transplant in 1987, cementing the city's place in transplant medicine history.

What the Nazih Zuhdi Transplantation Institute actually is

The institute functions as both a transplant hospital and a specialized surgical center within OU Medicine's system. It handles the full transplant patient journey: pre-transplant evaluation, living and deceased donor coordination, surgical procedures, immediate post-operative care, and ongoing follow-up. Unlike general hospitals that perform transplants alongside other services, this facility concentrates its expertise, infrastructure, and staffing entirely on transplantation. It is licensed as an organ procurement organization (OPO) partner and maintains direct ties to the Southwestern Organ Procurement Organization (SWOPO) to facilitate deceased donor matching and procurement.

The center conducts approximately 200 to 250 transplants annually (both living and deceased donor procedures), treating patients from Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri. It is part of the OU Medicine network, giving it access to OU's broader clinical resources while maintaining dedicated transplant specialization.

Services offered and cost structure

The institute provides evaluation and transplantation for the following organs: kidney, pancreas, liver, and heart. Kidney transplantation is the highest volume; pancreas transplants are often paired with kidney transplants for diabetic patients. Liver and heart transplants serve the sickest patients and require intensive post-operative monitoring.

Pre-transplant evaluation includes medical clearance, psychosocial assessment, tissue typing, and crossmatching. Patients typically undergo 2 to 4 evaluation visits before approval for the transplant waiting list. The evaluation process is covered under Medicare (for eligible patients) or commercial insurance; out-of-pocket costs depend on insurance plan structure and deductibles. Uninsured patients should contact the institute's financial counseling team directly, as transplant centers are required to discuss financial assistance and Medicaid options.

Transplant surgery costs range from $150,000 (kidney) to over $300,000 (heart or liver), though patients rarely bear the full amount. Medicare covers transplant surgery and one year of immunosuppressive medications for eligible beneficiaries; Medicaid and private insurance plans vary. The critical factor is immunosuppression: patients must take medications for life, costing $1,500 to $3,000 per month out of pocket without insurance or assistance programs. The institute has social workers and financial counselors who help patients navigate transplant-specific pharmaceutical assistance programs and state Medicaid options designed to cover long-term drugs.

How it compares to other Oklahoma transplant options

OU Medicine's Nazih Zuhdi Institute is the only dedicated, freestanding transplant center in Oklahoma City and the only facility in the state performing heart and liver transplants. Patients needing kidney or pancreas transplants in Oklahoma have limited alternatives: Integris Health in Oklahoma City performs some kidney transplants but does not maintain a separate transplant-focused facility. Patients outside the metro area may be referred to larger regional centers such as Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, or Baylor Scott & White in Dallas, both of which handle higher transplant volumes and have longer histories with multi-organ programs. The Nazih Zuhdi Institute's advantage is local expertise, established relationships with SWOPO, and integration with OU's academic medical center resources. Its disadvantage for patients seeking second opinions or alternative approaches is limited redundancy within the state; however, OU's transplant surgeons are fellowship-trained and maintain national standing.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

The institute suits patients with end-stage organ disease (kidney failure, liver disease, cardiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency) who are medically fit for surgery and able to commit to lifelong immunosuppression and follow-up care. It is appropriate for both living donor transplants (family members or altruistic donors) and patients on the deceased donor waiting list. Candidates must be psychologically stable, able to take medications as prescribed, and have reliable transportation and social support for post-operative appointments (typically weekly for the first three months, then monthly).

The center is not appropriate for patients unable to tolerate surgery, those with active infections or cancer, patients with severe cardiac disease unrelated to their transplant candidacy, or individuals unable to commit to medication compliance. Patients with language barriers should plan for interpreter services (contact the center to confirm what is provided free of charge). Patients seeking organs not handled by OU (such as lung transplants) will be referred out of state.

What the first visit involves

New patients are referred by their nephrologist, cardiologist, hepatologist, or primary care physician. Referral requires basic medical records and lab work demonstrating organ failure. At the evaluation visit, patients meet with the transplant surgeon, nurse coordinator, social worker, and financial counselor. The evaluation includes imaging (often CT or ultrasound), additional blood work, and sometimes cardiac stress testing. Visits typically last 3 to 4 hours. Patients are asked about medication history, surgical history, substance use (smoking and alcohol history are critical), mental health status, and social support. A home visit or verification of reliable transportation is part of standard vetting. The process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks from referral to waiting list approval.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The Nazih Zuhdi Transplantation Institute operates as part of OU Medicine, located on the university's health sciences campus in central Oklahoma City at 920 Stanton L. Young Boulevard. Pre-transplant evaluations are scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (verify hours by phone, as clinic schedules are subject to change). Transplant surgeries are performed 24/7; patients undergoing transplant are admitted through the main OU Medical Center ER or scheduled admission.

Parking is available in OU Medical Center's patient lots; underground and surface parking options exist near the transplant center. Ask about valet parking at check-in if mobility is limited. Public transportation in Oklahoma City is limited; driving or arranging a ride is practical. Patients with financial hardship may inquire about transportation assistance through the social work team.

The Nazih Zuhdi Institute is the only organ transplant center in Oklahoma performing the full spectrum of solid organ transplantation and the only state facility where patients can access heart or liver transplants without traveling out of state.