Transplantation in New York State

Transplantation in New York State

Organ transplantation is the last treatment option available to save the lives of people living with severe organ disease and failure. Organs that are most frequently transplanted include kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestine. The types of tissues donated to improve the quality of the lives of others includes corneas, skin, heart valves, veins, bone, and tendons.

Multi-organ transplants can be carried out with hearts and lungs, hearts and kidneys and kidneys and pancreases.

Organ Transplant Centers in New York

New York State has 15 transplant centers around the state.

  1. Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), Erie County, Buffalo, NY
  2. University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, Monroe County, Rochester, NY.
  3. SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Onondaga County, Syracuse, NY
  4. Albany Medical Center, Albany County, Albany, NY
  5. Westchester Medical Center (WMC), Westchester County, Valhalla, NY
  6. Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx County, Bronx, NY
  7. James Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center, Bronx County, Bronx, NY
  8. SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn County, Brooklyn, NY
  9. NYU Langone Medical Center, Manhattan County, New York, NY
  10. Mount Sinai Medical Center, Manhattan County, New York, NY
  11. NY Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, Manhattan County, New York, NY
  12. NY Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medical Center, Manhattan County, New York, NY
  13. Long Island Jewish, Cohens Medical Center, Queens County, Queens, NY
  14. North Shore University Hospital, Nassau County, Manhasset, NY
  15. SUNY Stony Brook Medical Center, Suffolk County, Stony Brook, NY

Transplant centers need approval from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and the Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN)in order to provide transplant services. New York's transplant centers provide the following transplant services:

Transplant Center Approved Programs
Kidney Liver Heart Lung Pancreas Intestine
ECMC X
Strong X X X X
SUNYUpstate X X
Albany X
WMC X X X
Montefiore X X X
Bronx VA* X
SUNY Downstate X
NYU Langone X X X X X
Mt. Sinai X X X X X
Columbia X X X X X X
Cornell X X X
Cohen's X X
North Shore X X X X X
SUNY Stony Brook X

Regulatory Oversight of Transplant Centers

Hospitals seeking to provide organ transplantation services must be approved to do so before beginning to provide these services. Transplant centers are regulated by both the federal and state governments. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and their contractor, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) and New York State, have roles in ensuring that transplant centers operate in compliance with the rules and provide quality transplant services. Below are links to the federal and state rules applicable to transplant centers.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Heath Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN)

New York State

Public Health Law Article 43: Laws of New York

NY Codes, Rules & Regulations, Title 10, Part 405:

New York State Transplant Council

The New York State Transplant Council provides guidance to the Department of Health on issues and policy related to donation, procurement, storage, etc. of organs and tissues. See link to Transplant Council meetings at: New York State Transplant Council.