At UAMS, we began our transplant history in 1964 with our first renal transplant. Since then our program has expanded to include kidney/pancreas transplants and in 2005, the addition of a Liver Transplant program, which was certified by Medicare in 2007.
Headed by Youmin Wu, M.D., UAMS plans to conduct between 20 to 30 liver transplants a year with a potential of 50 to 60 transplants a year, depending on the given need in Arkansas.
Dr. Wu joined the UAMS Department of Surgery in 2004 from The University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. He began his medical career in Nanjing, China where he graduated from the Nanjing Medical University in 1982. While doing a residency there he was inspired by a doctor named Thomas Starzl, M.D., who encouraged him to come to Pittsburgh to further his surgical skills and education. In Pittsburgh, Wu received fellowship training under the leadership of Starzl, who is known as the "father of liver transplants." Upon completion of his fellowship, Wu was promoted to faculty status.
In 1993, Dr. Wu was recruited to Iowa, where he stayed for more than 10 years. Some of his numerous noteworthy accomplishments include setting four world records in liver transplants, including a record for performing a transplant on the youngest recipient - a 19 day old baby. In 2003, Wu was included in the Best Doctors in America list, and he received an award from the Chinese Medical Association in recognition of his contribution to liver transplantation in China. He is still regularly included on the Best Doctors in America list as well as the Arkansas Times’ Best Doctors in Arkansas list.
Frederick Bentley, M.D., joined the liver transplant program in 2006 after leading a transplant program in Kentucky. Dr. Bentley is a board certified surgeon who also performs kidney transplants and surgery for colon and GI cancers.
Joining these surgeons are transplant hepatologists Wael Refai, M.D., and James E. Rose, M.D., who both received fellowship training in transplant medicine at Baptist INTEGRIS Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. Dr. Refai joined the UAMS faculty in 2005 and Dr. Rose in 2007.
With the addition of the Liver Transplant Program to UAMS, Arkansans will no longer have to travel out of state for this complex and life saving surgery.
Please contact us to learn more about our liver transplant services at UAMS.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For an Appointment
501-686-8962
1-800-552-8026
Office
501-686-6644
Hours
Monday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hepatobiliary Clinic
Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - noon
Location
Outpatient Center
4th Floor, 4B
Maps and Directions
Mailing Address
4301 West Markham Street, Slot #520-4
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-7199
