WVU Medicine names nationally renowned transplant surgeon and researcher Dr. Rakesh Sindhi executive director of WVU Medicine Center for Organ Transplantation

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine has appointed Rakesh Sindhi, M.D., an internationally recognized transplant surgeon, physician-scientist, and healthcare leader, as executive director of the WVU Medicine Center for Organ Transplantation, formerly known as the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance.

In his new role, Dr. Sindhi will provide strategic leadership for the continued growth of transplant services across the WVU Health System. He will work closely with physicians, clinical teams, and System leaders to advance innovation, expand patient access, and strengthen the Center’s position as a regional and national destination for comprehensive transplant care. 

Sindhi joins WVU Medicine with more than three decades of experience in transplant surgery, clinical research, and academic medicine. Most recently, he served as professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and co-director of pediatric transplantation at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he also directed pediatric transplant research and established that institution’s Center for Computational Immunogenetics and Drug Repurposing. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Sindhi has helped pioneer advances in liver, intestine, and multivisceral transplantation while leading groundbreaking research focused on precision medicine, transplant immunology, and improving long-term transplant outcomes. 

“Expanding and strengthening transplant services is an important part of our commitment to providing West Virginians and all we serve with the most advanced care close to home,” Albert L. Wright Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said.  

“Dr. Sindhi’s leadership and expertise will help us build on the tremendous foundation already established by our transplant teams and position the WVU Medicine Center for Organ Transplantation for its next chapter of growth. This investment will expand access to lifesaving transplant care while bringing together the clinical expertise, research and innovation needed to serve patients throughout our region.” 

“Dr. Sindhi brings a remarkable record of research and scientific discovery to WVU and WVU Medicine,” Clay Marsh, M.D., chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said. “His work in transplant immunology, precision medicine, and computational approaches to transplantation has the potential to open new avenues for understanding rejection, improving therapies, and ultimately extending the lives of transplant recipients. His appointment strengthens our ability to connect discovery with clinical care and advance research that addresses some of the most complex challenges facing patients with organ failure.” 

Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Transplantation, Sindhi has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and is internationally recognized for his contributions to transplant medicine, surgical innovation, and precision immunology. His work has advanced the understanding of transplant rejection, immune monitoring, and personalized therapies designed to improve long-term outcomes for transplant recipients. 

“Dr. Sindhi’s appointment represents a defining moment for the new WVU Medicine Center for Organ Transplantation. His internationally recognized expertise, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to innovation will help us accelerate the growth of our transplant programs, expand access to lifesaving care, and further establish WVU Medicine as a destination for advanced transplantation across Appalachia and beyond,” Michael Grace, Ed.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.H.E., WVU Hospitals president and CEO, said.  

“We are thrilled to welcome him to our team and look forward to the extraordinary impact he will have on our patients, our physicians, and the future of transplant medicine.” 

The newly renamed WVU Medicine Center for Organ Transplantation brings together multidisciplinary experts dedicated to delivering comprehensive care for patients requiring lifesaving transplant services, building on the former WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance’s existing clinical expertise and infrastructure.  

The Center’s new name establishes a unified identity for WVU Medicine’s transplant services across the WVU Health System, reflecting its continued investment in advancing comprehensive organ transplantation care for patients throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region.  

“I am honored to join WVU Medicine and lead the WVU Medicine Center for Organ Transplantation during this exciting time of growth,” Sindhi said. “Together with our exceptional physicians, surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers, and multidisciplinary care teams, we have an incredible opportunity to build one of the nation’s premier transplant programs while ensuring patients throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region have access to world-class transplant care close to home.” 

For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/Transplant.