Dr. Patrick L. Godwin

I chose medicine as my career because it was the perfect way to combine my love of learning and being challenged with my desire to make a positive difference in people's lives. During my general surgery residence in medical school, I gravitated toward transplantation precisely because of the immediate and profound impact it can have on someone’s health and quality of life. After completing a transplant fellowship at the University of Nebraska, I practiced surgery in Omaha, Nebraska for 14 years before coming to Duke to be a leader in its nationally renowned transplant program. As an abdominal transplant surgeon, I perform surgery on people needing organ transplantation in the abdominal region of the body, with a particular expertise in the areas of liver and small bowel transplants. I see transplant patients of all ages, but I find it especially rewarding to take care of pediatric patients. Transplant patients, in general, tend to be very sick, have a poor quality of life and, without transplant, have little hope of getting better. Having the opportunity to use my skill and expertise to help these children and their families is incredibly gratifying. Dr. Sudan is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hepatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Short Bowel Syndrome, Gastrointestinal Fistula, Liver Cancer, Liver Transplant, and Kidney Transplant.

Duke is where I learned surgery, was taught how to interact with patients, and began my professional training. I am returning to Duke after working at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and later Emory (Atlanta) as a transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon. I enjoy working with adults and children who need surgery of the liver and biliary tract, liver vascular surgery, or kidney transplantation. I am actively engaged in research to reduce the risk of rejection of organ transplants. My wife and I have three sons, and we enjoy sports and being outdoors. Dr. Knechtle is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hepatitis. His top areas of expertise are Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Cholangitis, Cholestasis, Kidney Transplant, and Liver Transplant.

As an abdominal transplant surgeon, I perform transplants of the liver, kidney, pancreas and small bowels. I also do general abdominal procedures like hernia repairs. The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction and happiness I get when I see my patients’ faces after their transplant. I don’t want transplant patients to feel like we are putting them in a bubble. We expect them to live normal, happy lives, and enjoy the new organ once it’s given to them. Each patient comes to us with a unique challenge, but the best part of my job is the way the patient comes through obstacles and recovers. I decided to focus my training in abdominal transplant surgery after practicing general surgery in India and desiring a new challenge. I came to the U.S. to complete my surgical fellowship at Duke. Dr. Rege is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hepatitis. Her top areas of expertise are Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Kidney Transplant, and Liver Transplant.