Our liver transplant program is one of the world's oldest

The Transplant Center—Doctors, liver

William D Payne, M.D.

Dr. William Payne is surgical director of liver transplant at University of Minnesota Medical Center. He is board-certified in general surgery with special qualification in general vascular surgery.

Under Dr. Payne’s direction, the program performs all types of liver transplants, including transplants from living donors--adult donor to pediatric recipient, and adult-to-adult transplants. The program also is experienced in splitting livers of deceased donors to allow transplant into two recipients. The clinical results of the program have been excellent.

Jamie Fisk, 11 months old in 1982 when transplanted at the University of Minnesota, is today the world’s longest-living pediatric liver recipient. She captured national attention while awaiting a donor.

Her search led to President Ronald Reagan appointing Dr. Payne to a national task force that resulted in passage of the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984. This act established the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), which makes policy for organ allocation.

Dr. Payne is currently on the UNOS board of directors and is a past president. 

Academics

• Graduated with honors in biology from Quincy College in 1968
• Finished medical school at St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1972
• Completed his Residency and Transplant Fellowship at the University of Minnesota in 1980
• Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota

Specialties

• Surgery
• Liver Transplant
• Kidney Transplant
• Vascular Surgery

Organizations

• American College of Surgeons
• American Medical Society
• American Society of Transplant
• Association of Academic Surgery
• Minneapolis Surgical Society
• Transplantation Society
• Twin Cities Thoracic Society