Dr. Shimul Shah Named Chief of Transplantation at Mass General Brigham: Leading with Purpose

Life has a way of coming full circle—and for Dr. Shimul Shah, that circle has brought him back to where it all began: Boston. A place where he once trained as a surgical resident, Boston now welcomes him home as Chief of Transplantation at Mass General Brigham (MGB) and President-elect of the Americas HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Association (AHPBA).

His journey is one marked by innovation, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives.

Where It All Began: Training in Boston

Back in 2006, Dr. Shah completed his general surgery residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, one of Harvard Medical School’s premier teaching hospitals. It was there he began shaping the principles that would guide his career—compassionate care, academic rigor, and a drive to push boundaries in transplantation and HPB surgery.

Fast forward nearly two decades, and those same principles have led him back to Boston—but now, as a nationally recognized leader in the field.

Building a Legacy in Cincinnati

Before returning to Boston, Dr. Shah made a profound impact as Professor and Chief of Solid Organ Transplantation at the University of Cincinnati, where he also held the James and Catherine Orr Endowed Chair in Liver Transplantation. Under his leadership, the liver transplant program grew by 330%, making it one of the most active in the country.

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Shah became a voice for innovation and health equity. He founded CROSS (Cincinnati Research in Outcomes and Safety in Surgery)—a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving surgical outcomes through research. With nearly 240 publications, 25 book chapters, and leadership roles at UNOS and AHPBA, he has helped shape how the transplant community approaches care, policy, and access.

A New Chapter at Mass General Brigham

Returning to MGB as Chief of Transplantation, Dr. Shah steps into a role that aligns perfectly with his mission to serve, heal, and innovate. At the heart of MGB is Massachusetts General Hospital, the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, and one of the most respected medical institutions in the world.

Founded to provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, Mass General has become a symbol of excellence—both in patient care and medical discovery. It consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the U.S. and is recognized in 13 specialties by U.S. News & World Report. With over $1 billion in research operations and 1,200 active clinical trials, Mass General leads the nation in hospital-based research.

Photo from massgeneral.org

World-Class Care, Grounded in Compassion

What makes Mass General special isn’t just the prestige—it’s the purpose. Rooted in values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the institution is driven by the belief that the best care is also the most compassionate.

Patients at Mass General are cared for by multidisciplinary teams of specialists—many of whom are faculty at Harvard Medical School and leaders in fields such as transplantation, cancer, neuroscience, cardiology, and trauma. The hospital’s culture is one of collaboration, education, and constant pursuit of better outcomes.

As Dr. Shah takes the reins of the transplant program, his vision aligns perfectly with that mission: world-class care for all, delivered with humanity and purpose.

Leading on the Global Stage

In addition to his new role at MGB, Dr. Shah was recently named President-elect of AHPBA, a professional society at the forefront of advancing liver, pancreas, and biliary surgery across the Americas. His election to this role speaks volumes—not just about his accomplishments, but about the respect he has earned among his peers.

With this platform, he will continue to advocate for innovation in surgical care, equity in access, and mentorship of future leaders in the field.

Photo of Dr. Shimul Shah from uc.edu

A Legacy of Service and Excellence

Dr. Shimul Shah’s return to Boston is more than a career move—it’s a moment that connects the past, present, and future. From his early training at Brigham and Women’s to transforming transplant care in Cincinnati, and now leading one of the world’s most prestigious programs at MGB, his story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when purpose meets passion.

As he steps into this new chapter, one thing is clear: the future of transplantation is in very good hands.

Stay Connected

Dr. Shah’s story is just one of many that inspire the future of medicine. If his journey resonates with you, share this story, follow his work, and support the continued advancement of transplant care and research. Together, we can help more patients get a second chance at life—and empower the leaders who make it possible.

Follow the latest updates from Mass General Brigham and AHPBA, and join us in celebrating the people who are transforming the world of surgery and saving lives every day.

For more inspiring stories like this, visit OncoDaily—your go-to platform for the latest in oncology, surgery, and patient-centered care.

By: Md Foorquan Hashmi, MD, Sr. Editor, OncoDaily: India Bueura