Breathing easier — Kentucky’s new era in lung care begins

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 22, 2025) – With lung disease affecting more Kentuckians than nearly any other state, access to advanced care has never been more critical. UK HealthCare is stepping up to meet the challenge, bringing world-class expertise and life-saving procedures closer to home. By growing the team of experts and resources dedicated to lung transplantation in the University of Kentucky Transplant Center, the program is giving patients a second chance at life while tackling one of the state’s most pressing health crises. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and bronchitis, is the fifth highest leading cause of death with 3,260 deaths in 2022. In Kentucky, 381,683 adults have been diagnosed with COPD, making the Commonwealth one of the states with the highest prevalence of COPD in the country. 

While there is no cure for COPD, there are treatments to manage the symptoms. However, the disease causes irreversible damage to lung tissue, and the only option for many patients is a transplant. Nationwide, there is a shortage of donated organs, with lungs being particularly in high demand. They are also the most difficult to transplant, due to the high potential of post-transplant infection or rejection. Currently, there are 12 Kentuckians on the waiting list for a lung transplant. 

“Kentucky has some of the highest rates of lung disease in the country,” said Robert DiPaola, M.D., co-executive vice president of health affairs at the University of Kentucky. “As the number one hospital in the state, we have an obligation to bring the most advanced treatment options to every corner of the Commonwealth. To combat the diseases that affect a significant portion of our population, UK HealthCare has dedicated more resources to expanding the lung transplant program. We will continue to expand our organ transplant programs, as well as other clinical programs so that no Kentuckian needs to leave the state for the most advanced care.” 

Matthias Loebe, M.D.,  joined the UK Transplant Center in March 2024 as the program’s surgical director. He began his surgical career in his native Germany, and with more than 35 years of experience in the field of advanced therapies for heart and lung failure, including the expansion of transplant, left ventricular assist device and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation programs at other institutions, he sees the potential to expand access to advanced health care across the Commonwealth.  

“Lung disease is very common in Kentucky,” said Loebe. “Expanding access to underserved communities has been an important part of my efforts for many years.” 

Naureen Narula, M.D., came to Kentucky in 2023 with a similar goal. Originally from India, to her, lung transplant is not just a surgical procedure, but an opportunity to be part of a patient’s journey down the path to a new life where their dreams are possible. 

“The opportunity to restore health and improve the lives of patients with end-stage lung disease was a key motivator for me to pursue lung transplantation,” said Narula. “Throughout this journey, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know my patients both before and after their transplant, and it’s truly heartwarming to witness their personal motivations for seeking this life-changing procedure. Whether it’s a patient wanting to run again, attend their daughter’s quinceanera or play the drums, these stories are deeply humbling. The multidisciplinary approach required to manage transplant recipients — both before and after surgery — has profoundly inspired me to pursue this challenging yet immensely rewarding path in medicine.” 

Like Loebe, she sees the high prevalence of lung disease one of the state’s greatest challenges. Kentuckians don’t just need access to advanced treatment; education and early detection are critical to stopping lung disease before it starts. 

“The rural health care landscape in Kentucky further complicates access to specialized transplant care, as it can be limited in many areas,” she said. “This highlights the need for a targeted approach to enhance access to care, improve early detection, and ensure ongoing support for transplant candidates and recipients across the state.” 

Among the new transplant providers dedicated to building a healthier Kentucky is Masashi Kawabori, M.D. Originally from Japan, where transplants from deceased donors is rare, Kawabori came to the United States with the goal of specializing in heart transplants. When he came to Kentucky from Tufts Medical Center in Boston, he discovered the health challenges Kentuckians face are much different from the rest of the country. 

“The patients here are very sick. There are lung diseases that are unique to this area, such as pneumoconiosis,” he said, referencing the disease more commonly known as “black lung” that is caused by the inhalation of coal dust. “It’s a challenge, because surgeons need more training and experience to treat these patients.” 

According to Loebe, relationships with other providers and health care systems in Kentucky are paramount in the fight against lung disease. Michael Anstead, M.D., who serves as the director of the adult cystic fibrosis clinic, recently joined the Transplant Center staff as the medical director for the lung transplant program. The Transplant Center currently operates a clinic in Louisville and an outreach clinic in Bowling Green. Helping patients get access to specialized services close to home is at the core of UK HealthCare’s mission. Expanding pre- and post-transplant care to other parts of the state is among Loebe’s goals. 

“We will see significant growth,” said Loebe. “Building solid networks with local providers so that patients in need find appropriate advanced care should be one of the goals of our health system.” 

Every day, Loebe, Narula, Kawabori and the other transplant surgeons and physicians fight for their patients alongside the center’s cadre of dedicated nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers and support staff. As Kentucky’s population grows, so will the need for advanced health care. With investments in research and innovative treatments — along with a healthy dose of compassion — the providers and staff of the UK Transplant Center are more than ready to help build a healthier Kentucky. 

“I envision the UK Transplant Center as a leader in innovation and patient care,” said Narula. “Through continued advancements in transplant medicine and close collaboration with researchers and clinicians, we can push the boundaries of organ transplantation, improving both the short-term and long-term outcomes for our patients.”