Florida Hospital Now a Comprehensive Heart, Lung Transplant Center

Based in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Hartmuth Bittner serves as founder and president of the Gulf Coast Cardiothoracic Surgery Institute. Dr. Hartmuth Bittner recently expanded his professional activities, joining Florida Hospital as a heart and lung transplant surgeon.

Dr. Bittner’s arrival signals a milestone for the facility’s heart and lung transplant program. Surgeons at Florida Hospital performed their first organ transplant procedure (a kidney) nearly four decades ago. Since that time, the staff has worked tirelessly to transform Florida Hospital into an all-purpose transplant center. The facility’s first heart transplant was performed early in 2020, and the presence of Dr. Bittner (who is now the surgical director of the heart and lung transplant program) will allow for lung transplant operations.

Florida Hospital is now capable of meeting the medical needs of the 10 to 20 patients living in Central Florida who must seek lung transplant services in other parts of the state every year. In fact, Florida Hospital becomes just the fifth facility in the state capable of supporting lung transplant procedures. Dr. Andres Pelaez will also play a critical role in the program's future, serving as medical director of lung transplantation.