Hearts harvested from pigs may soon help solve chronic shortages of these donor organs
The goal of harvesting hearts from pigs to solve the chronic shortage of these donor organs appears to be in reach.
About Richard Pierson, MD
Richard Pierson, MD, joined the Mass General Division of Cardiac Surgery in 2017. A graduate of Princeton University (1978) and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons (1983), he trained in general surgery at the University of Michigan and in cardiothoracic surgery at Mass General.
Following a post-doctoral research fellowship at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England, he led the heart and lung transplant programs at Vanderbilt University from 1994-2002. At the University of Maryland (2002-2017), he participated in the thoracic transplant programs, established a successful research lab, served as chief of surgery at the VA Baltimore (2006-2012), and later as senior associate dean at UMSOM (2012-2014).
At Mass General, Dr. Pierson participates in the care of patients in the Heart Center intensive care unit, and in thoracic organ procurement activities. His principal research focus at the Mass General Center for Transplantation Sciences is developing tolerance and pig-to-human xenotransplantion for clinical application.
Treats:
- Adult
Locations
Mass General Surgery: Surgical Critical Care Program
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-2760
Medical Education
- MD, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
- Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Residency, University of Michigan Health System
- Residency, University of Michigan Hospitals
- Fellowship, Papworth Hospital
American Board Certifications
- Surgery, American Board of Surgery
- Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid CT
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid NY
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
- WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.