Lorena Bejarano‐Pineda

University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, University of Illinois Chicago

Papers

Total Citations

308

H-Index

About

Lorena Bejarano‐Pineda is a pioneering transplant surgeon whose work has redefined the boundaries of organ transplantation for patients historically deemed ineligible for surgery. Her key research focuses on the application of robotic-assisted surgery in kidney and pancreas transplantation, with a particular emphasis on expanding access for obese patients. Her landmark 2013 paper, "Minimally Invasive Robotic Kidney Transplantation for Obese Patients Previously Denied Access to Transplantation," with 190 citations, demonstrated that a novel robotic technique could achieve outcomes comparable to open surgery, effectively removing a major barrier to life-saving treatment. This work, alongside her "State of the Art of Robotic Surgery in Organ Transplantation" (58 citations), established a new paradigm in the field. Dr. Bejarano‐Pineda has also pioneered combined procedures, such as robot-assisted kidney transplantation with sleeve gastrectomy, addressing the dual challenges of end-stage renal disease and morbid obesity. Her contributions have not only advanced surgical technique but have also profoundly impacted patient access and equity, making her a leading voice in the future of minimally invasive transplant surgery.