The Intermountain Health Transplant Program at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray hit a major milestone – 515 successful organ transplants performed in 2025, the first time in Utah medical history – breaking their record of 489 transplants performed in 2024. Surgeons and medical staff celebrated the achievement Jan. 27 with transplant recipients, living organ donors and family members from throughout the state.

“It’s an honor to join with our patients and our transplant team today to celebrate this milestone because each transplant that we perform represents a life saved and life improved – and that means everything to us,” said Jean Botha, MD, transplant surgeon and medical director of Intermountain Health Transplant Program.

The Intermountain Health Transplant Program has performed a record-breaking number of adult transplants for patients in Utah and the Intermountain West for six consecutive years, according to an Intermountain Health release.

In 2025, the Intermountain Transplant Program performed: 

• 256 kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants

• 227 liver transplants

• 32 heart transplants

Erin Barker received a heart transplant Feb. 14, 2025 at Intermountain Medical Center. “I love telling people I received my heart on Valentine’s Day, because I really did,” Barker said. “I went from being an active mom of four who competed in 5K races in August 2024 to being bedridden and not able to take care of my children by Halloween, likely due to a viral infection in my heart.”

Barker’s heart was barely functioning when she was placed on the organ transplant list. “I want everyone to know that you don’t just save a life with a donation, you save a family,” she said. “We were staring down the very real possibility of my little kids – ages 2, 4, 6 and 9 – being raised motherless. Thanks to my donor, my children have their mom. I am so thankful and grateful. It's a gift I will never take for granted.”

 Amy Baird received her liver transplant at Intermountain Medical Center on Dec. 21, 2025. Baird had Stage 4 liver cirrhosis caused by metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis or MASH, a serious, progressive liver disease caused by excess fat accumulation leading to inflammation and liver cell damage, the release said.

“It’s amazing how good I feel today,” said Baird. “The transplant has dramatically improved the quality of my life. I feel incredibly grateful for a second chance at life and am so thankful to my donor and to the Intermountain transplant team for saving my life.” 

There are 885 Utahns currently on the transplant waiting list and more than 100,000 people across the country waiting for an organ.

“A friend of mine needed a kidney and was losing hope as his health worsened,” said Ofelia Murillo, who donated a kidney to her friend last September. “He was on dialysis every day and was quite miserable. I want people to know that we can do more to help than we realize. Organ donation is a win-win for everyone involved. It is also important to stay informed in case we or a loved one ever face similar circumstances.” 

“We are partners in our patient’s health, collaborating to keep people well and enjoying their best lives,” said Dr. Botha. “The Intermountain Transplant Program is highly successful because of our innovation and dedication of our multi-disciplinary team. We say, ‘Yes’ more often – including to patients with very complex health issues – where other transplant programs have said, ‘No.’ This allows us to get our patients back to their families living their best possible lives.”