Scripps Health Named New Transplant Division Head
Mark Sturdevant has been appointed to lead the Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation in San Diego.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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Scripps Health has appointed Mark Sturdevant as the new program director and division head of the Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation. He takes over following the retirement of long-time transplant surgery chief Christopher Marsh.
Why it matters
The leadership transition marks a significant change for a program that serves as a cornerstone of specialized care in San Diego. Sturdevant is tasked with overseeing operations and expanding patient access to life-saving transplant services.
Scripps Health provides care to 600,000 patients annually across 5 acute care campuses and 70 outpatient locations. The organization has maintained its transplant division since launching the city's first liver program in 1990.
The players
Mark Sturdevant
He is the newly appointed program director and division head of the Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation.
Christopher Marsh
He is the retiring chief of transplant surgery who served for 24 years and remains the chair of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Foundation.
The details
Mark Sturdevant brings extensive experience from UPMC, the University of Washington Medical Center, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. He will manage regulatory compliance, quality assessment, and staffing, with a specialized clinical focus on living donor and split liver procedures.
Timeline
1990: The Scripps center launched the first liver transplant program in San Diego.
September 20, 2026: Scripps Health issued a formal news release confirming the appointment.
Market Landscape
The transition continues the legacy of the Scripps center, which pioneered San Diego's first liver transplant program in 1990. Sturdevant's arrival positions the health system to build upon its long-standing operational history against other regional specialty centers.
Patients of the Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation may see new initiatives aimed at expanding access to transplant services. The appointment ensures continuity of care for those utilizing Scripps Health's extensive regional network.
The takeaway
The appointment of a new director signals a renewed focus on expanding transplant capabilities within the San Diego medical community. Patients should monitor official hospital communications for upcoming developments regarding new procedures or increased clinic availability.
Further reading
Learn more about local industry changes in our People section.
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