HOUSTON – (February 5, 2026) — Texas Children's once again continues to lead the nation in performing the most pediatric transplants, as reported by the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN), the country’s unique public-private registry for organ matching.
In 2025, the Texas Children's Transplant Services team performed 144 organ transplants, the highest annual total in program history, and the most of any pediatric hospital in the country. The milestone represents a 22-percent increase over the program’s previous peak year in 2021 of 118.
“This remarkable year reflects the extraordinary dedication of our transplant physicians, surgeons, nurses, coordinators, and support teams,” said Dr. John Goss , MD, FACS, Medical Director of Transplant Services at Texas Children’s Hospital. “We wouldn’t be able to do this miraculous work without the families and individuals who give the generous gift of organ donation. Every transplant represents a life changed and a family given renewed hope.”
The Texas Children’s Transplant Services team is recognized as a leader in multiple pediatric transplant categories across the country.
The team performed more pediatric liver and kidney transplants than any other in the nation.
The program shares the top spot nationwide for pediatric lung transplants.
The team is a national leader in pediatric heart transplantation, ranking second by volume.
Texas Children's unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care has positioned the Transplant Services team as a national leader in post-transplant survival. This is demonstrated by 5-month-old Baylor, who received a new liver in October after being diagnosed at birth with liver disease and acute liver failure. Baylor was flown to Texas Children's at two weeks old and has been treated here since.
“Baylor fought to be here. He’s a strong baby. He’s been hospitalized for his whole life. It’s a miracle that organ donors are helping other families like mine,” said Beatriz Jauregui, Baylor’s mother. “The Texas Children’s staff is amazing. They save so many lives. My family is nine hours away, so a lot of the staff have stepped in to check on Baylor and me throughout this process—making sure I’m taking care of myself. I appreciate it.”
Texas Children’s also completed more than 100 pediatric abdominal transplants, representing the largest annual volume performed by a single center in the United States since 1988.
“All of us at Texas Children’s are incredibly proud of our Transplant Services team and the life-changing difference they make for children and families every day,” said Dr. Larry Hollier , MD, FACS, FAAP, Surgeon-In-Chief and Chair of Surgery at Texas Children's. “Reaching the highest transplant volume in our history — and ranking No. 1 in the nation in total pediatric transplants — is a remarkable milestone. These achievements are more than numbers; they represent second chances, transformed lives and a healthier future for the patients and families we serve.”
Together, these accomplishments reinforce Texas Children’s long-standing mission to advance transplant medicine, deliver exceptional outcomes, and remain a trusted choice for families facing the most complex medical journeys.
About Texas Children’s
Texas Children’s, a nonprofit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The system includes the Texas Children’s Duncan NRI; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin families. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO focused on children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org .