Villanova Nursing Receives NIH Grant for Lung Transplant Care Study

Villanova Researcher Receives Significant NIH Grant to Explore Caregiver Impact on Lung Transplant Patients

VILLANOVA, Pa. (October 15, 2026) — A groundbreaking five-year research initiative led by Brittany Koons, PhD, RN, from Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, has been awarded $3,579,843 by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The study aims to shed light on how caregiver involvement influences the outcomes of lung transplant recipients and to provide data that may transform the evaluation and support frameworks for these patients and their families.

While organ transplants can extend life expectancy and improve conditions for patients with organ failure, about 20% of candidates are deemed ineligible due to insufficient caregiver support. Although caregiver evaluations are integral to the transplant process, the evidence detailing their impact on transplant outcomes is insufficient. This research seeks to address these gaps.

“If we’re going to continue to require caregivers as part of the transplant process, we need to understand their role, how they impact outcomes and how we can better support both patients and caregivers,” emphasized Dr. Koons.

The focus will be on lung transplants, recognized as one of the most complex transplant procedures. These patients face significant care demands and have higher complication and mortality rates compared to other transplant groups. Dr. Koons’s study will adopt a dual focus on both patients and caregivers, exploring their interconnected roles throughout the transplant journey.

The research will enroll 410 patient-caregiver pairs prior to transplantation, tracking their progress through the procedure and conducting evaluations at six and twelve months post-surgery. Outcomes such as survival rates, hospital readmissions, quality of life, and caregiver well-being will be examined.

Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the study combines quantitative data with qualitative insights from interviews. This dual strategy aims to capture comprehensive perspectives from both patients and caregivers regarding their experiences and challenges in managing transplant care.

Participants will be sourced from premier transplant centers including the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and the University of California, San Francisco. The study also leverages the NHLBI-funded Lung Transplant Consortium PROMISE Study’s existing infrastructure. Collaboration with additional institutions is supported through sub-awards included in the grant.

“We hope the findings of this study establish evidence-based approaches for evaluating caregiver support and create new interventions that strengthen transplant candidacy, improve care at home, and enhance quality of life for both patients and caregivers,” added Dr. Koons.

This grant will also contribute to the development of a multidisciplinary research team, involving undergraduate and doctoral nursing students in data collection and analysis, and will generate new staffing opportunities within the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing.