Organ Transplant Support Groups

Heart Transplant Support Group

The UCSF Heart Transplant Support Group offers peer-based support for heart transplant patients. The group welcomes listed pre-transplant and post-transplant patients, as well as family members and caregivers.

Location: Virtual (Zoom link is automatically emailed to all pre- and post-heart transplant patients in advance of each meeting.)
Meetings: Second Friday of every month, 1-2 p.m. via Zoom
Contact: Julia Galeota: (415) 502-4746 or [email protected] or Catherine Nash: (415) 514-3606 or [email protected]

Heart Transplant Speaker Series

The UCSF Heart Transplant Speaker Series offers transplant-related education to patients on a heart transplant wait list or who have had a transplant.

Location: Virtual (Zoom link is automatically emailed to all pre- and post-heart transplant patients in advance of each meeting.)
Meetings: Every other month, on the third Friday of the month, 1-2 p.m. via Zoom.
Contact: Julia Galeota: (415) 502-4746 or [email protected] or Catherine Nash: (415) 514-3606 or [email protected]

LVAD Patient Support Group

The UCSF LVAD Support Group offers peer-based support for patients with left ventricular assistive devices (LVADs). The group welcomes LVAD patients as well as family members and caregivers.

Location: Virtual (Zoom link is shared in a monthly email reminder.)
Meetings: Second Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. via Zoom
Contact: Lety Curiel, RN: (415) 203-3277 or [email protected]

Lung Transplant Support Group

The UCSF Lung Transplant Support Group offers peer-based psychosocial support for lung transplant patients. The group may have both pre-transplant and post-transplant patients in attendance. It's facilitated by social workers specializing in transplant care. Periodically, speakers are invited to present on a relevant topic. Caregivers and family members are welcome.

Location: Virtual (A new Zoom link is shared via email each month.)
Meetings: Third Thursday of every month, 1-2:30 p.m.
Contact: Anne Johnson, LCSW: (415) 514-6799 or Katy McRae: (415) 353-1098

Post-Lung Transplant Virtual Coffee Break

This support group is open to patients in any phase of post-lung transplant life. It’s a chance to ask questions, share your experiences, or just connect with others who will understand your challenges and joys.

Location: Virtual (A new Zoom link is shared via email each month.)
Meetings: First Friday of every month, 10-11 a.m.
Contact: Joshua Cohen, LCSW: (415) 353-1645

Liver Transplant Support Group

The UCSF Liver Transplant Support Group includes patients who have undergone liver transplant, those awaiting surgery and patients' family members. Meetings offer the opportunity to hear about the liver transplant experience from the patient's perspective. They can also help individuals prepare for the challenges that commonly arise before and after a liver transplant.

Location: Meetings are currently held online.
Meetings: First and third Thursday of the month, 1-2 p.m.
Contact: Email [email protected] for more information and to receive a meeting invitation.