University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) has expanded its organ transplantation program to include pancreas transplants, building on its long history as a premier kidney transplant center. The program, led by Dr. Kunal Yadav, aims to provide life-saving treatment options for patients with Type 1 diabetes.
The first patient to undergo the procedure was Taylor Iceman, a 39-year-old man from Ohio who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes nearly 25 years ago. After his kidney function declined due to diabetes, he received a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant at UTMC, which successfully cured his diabetes and restored his kidney function.
Pancreas transplants are typically performed in patients with Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. The procedure can also be done alongside a kidney transplant for patients with kidney failure due to insulin-dependent diabetes. According to Dr. Yadav, this type of transplant is often preferred over other options because it addresses both the kidney disease and the underlying cause of the diabetes.
UTMC’s program has already established itself as a leader in kidney transplants, with an average wait time of less than two months for patients listed on the transplant list. The center’s kidney transplant volumes have grown significantly over the past five years, with a 90-day kidney survival rate above the national average.
While pancreas transplantation is still a relatively rare procedure, UToledo Health officials say there is a need for improved access to this service in northwest Ohio and beyond. With its experienced team of surgeons and medical staff, UTMC aims to provide high-quality care and treatment options for patients with Type 1 diabetes and kidney disease.
Iceman’s successful transplant has brought new energy and hope to his family, who are grateful for the care he received at UTMC. For Iceman, the main benefit of the procedure is no longer needing insulin shots with every meal, allowing him to live a more active life with his loved ones.
Source: https://news.utoledo.edu/index.php/03_18_2025/utoledo-health-expands-transplant-program-to-include-pancreas