Dr. Breidenbach trained many surgeons in the field of VCA and the wider hand and microsurgery community. As a transplant nephrologist, I did not have the privilege to formally train under Dr Breidenbach. However, I had the opportunity to learn from him and know him for over a decade. When I was asked to start a VCA program as a medical director, I reached out to Dr. Breidenbach. He graciously invited me and our team to visit him and his program in Louisville. What was clear to me, and members of our team, was his open and direct nature, his motivation to help, and his goal to ensure that VCA is performed well and to the benefit of the patients. This initial impression was confirmed over the many years that we interacted at various meetings and when questions arose about specific aspects of VCA and post-transplant care. He struck me as someone who truly understood the importance of post-transplant care, the multidisciplinary nature of transplant, and the collaboration needed to advance the field. A testament to this is that his first case is the longest surviving VCA to date. He is truly a founding father of VCA and of this Society.

He was a true pioneer, visionary, and leader who will be sorely missed. His legacy lives on in the field and this Society that he birthed among many other accomplishments.

The ISVCA will be holding a special commemoration for Dr. Breidenbach at the ISVCA2025 meeting- details to follow.

Please also read Dr. Breidenbach’s biography as provided by Dr. Vijay Gorantla, to whom I am grateful for allowing us to share.

Dr. Hatem Amer, MD, FASN, FAST
ISVCA President

Biography submitted by Dr. Vijay Gorantla