The information in this section refers to the Richmond Transplant Center and is only applicable to you if this is your designated transplant site. Please remember that each transplant facility may handle transplantation differently.

Team Members

Much like at your local facility, your transplant facility will have a team of specialists working with you on your liver transplant. This team includes:

• Transplant Patient and His/Her Support Person (family/friends)
• Transplant Surgeon
• Hepatologist
• Program Manager
• Nurse Practitioner
• Transplant Coordinator
• Social Worker
• Psychologist
• Pharmacist
• Dietitian
• Chaplain
• Administrative Support Staff

The Facility

The Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, also known as Richmond VA Medical Center or McGuire VA Hospital, is located in Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond Transplant Center is a shared liver transplant program with our affiliated academic partner, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health Systems. The Richmond VA Medical Center is located 5 miles away from the VCU campus in Downtown Richmond. It is approximately a 15-minute driving distance between centers.

Evaluation

After our transplant program receives your referral for liver transplant consideration from your referring provider and you are eligible for further evaluation, we will typically arrange an initial evaluation using telehealth within 30 days. Once you have been approved for and in-person evaluation at the Richmond VA Medical center, you will be contacted by the nurse coordinator in Richmond to schedule your evaluation. You will be mailed an itinerary and a packet of information to prepare you for your evaluation at the transplant center.

When you are ready for your evaluation, your referring center will make travel arrangements for you and your designated caregiver to arrive into Richmond, Virginia. If you elect to drive to Richmond, your travel miles will be reimbursed by your referring facility. You will either take a taxi from the airport or drive directly to our lodging facility, The Doorways. The transplant program will provide all transportation to and from your lodging to the VA Medical Center and VCU. The Doorways is where you and your caregiver will be lodged during your evaluation period.

The day after you arrive, you and your caregiver will go to the Richmond VA Medical Center. You will report to the main laboratory to have blood and urine tests obtained and then report to the Gastroenterology Unit on the 5th floor (5A-155). The liver transplant nurse practitioner and coordinator will be there to greet you. You will also meet with a hepatologist, who will take your full history, perform a physical exam, and provide more details about the transplant process.

During the rest of the week, you will have additional interviews at the Richmond VA Hospital with a social worker and psychiatrist or psychologist. You will also undergo additional diagnostic testing as needed. Some tests may need to be repeated during your evaluation.

Toward the end of your evaluation process, you will meet with a transplant surgeon at the Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital. After you meet with the surgeon you will be able to return home. The whole process usually takes less than 7 days. After your visit is completed, the transplant team will meet to discuss your case in the transplant selection committee to make a decision for listing on the national wait list. You will be notified of the team's decision by telephone, as well as by a mailed letter.

Lodging Information

While you are in Richmond for your evaluation and transplant event (if you are listed), you will be staying at the Doorways (formerly known as the Hospitality House). The Doorways is located five blocks from VCU hospital in Downtown Richmond. There is designated parking for your vehicle close by. There is also a free shuttle that will take you from the Doorways to the VCU medical campus.

When you are ready to be discharged from the hospital, you will return to the Doorways. During that time, you will have labs drawn and have frequent visits with your liver transplant medical and surgical team members.

Local Information

Richmond has a diverse climate with changing and distinct temperatures in each season. During the winter months, the average high temperature is 48 degrees F and the average low temperature is 29 degrees F. Heavy winter clothing and a coat is highly recommended. Summer months in Richmond average out at a high of 85 degrees F and a low of 65 degrees F. These months can be very humid. Spring and fall months tend to be balmy with an average high temperature of 67 degrees F and an average low temperature of 44 degrees F. A light jacket may be required for some individuals.

All major banks are located in the general Richmond area. All types of payment are accepted for most transactions in the area. A federal credit union with an ATM is located within the VA facility.

Contact Information

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center
1201 Broad Rock Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23249
Phone: 804.675.5021
Toll-Free: 1.800.784.8381
Fax: 804.675.6769