Dell Children's Medical Center performs first successful pediatric bone marrow transplant in Central Texas

The new stem cell program allows Texans better access to the life-saving treatment.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas, announced that it performed the first successful pediatric bone marrow transplant in Central Texas last August. The procedure, which transplants stem cells into the bone marrow, is considered one of the most complex achievements in modern medicine and was made possible through the collaboration of the hospital's multi-disciplinary team.

Why it matters

The new stem cell program at Dell Children's expands access to this critical treatment for pediatric patients in the Central Texas region, allowing them to receive world-class cancer care closer to home. Bone marrow transplants can be life-saving for children with certain blood cancers and other serious conditions.

The details

The bone marrow transplant procedure takes as little as 15 minutes or up to a few hours to complete. The recovery process, however, can take months. As part of establishing the new program, Dell Children's developed nearly 60 standard operating procedures used in the accreditation process by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. This was a crucial step towards enabling future allogeneic transplants, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, and gene therapies for pediatric patients.

  • The first successful pediatric bone marrow transplant was performed at Dell Children's Medical Center in August 2025.
  • Dell Children's announced the milestone achievement on February 6, 2026, roughly five months after the procedure took place.

The players

Dr. Amir Mian

The architect of Dell Children's new stem cell program, which made the first successful pediatric bone marrow transplant in Central Texas possible.

Adam Messer

The President of Dell Children's Medical Center, who said the achievement is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration of the hospital's nurses, physicians, staff, and supporters.

Shivers Cancer Foundation

A philanthropic partner that enabled the recruitment of Dr. Amir Mian to lead the new stem cell program at Dell Children's.

We Are Blood

A local partner that assisted in gathering and processing the stem cells vital to the bone marrow transplant procedure.

Carter BloodCare

A local partner that assisted in gathering and processing the stem cells vital to the bone marrow transplant procedure.

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What they’re saying

“[It was] made possible only through the collective strength of a committed, multi-disciplinary team, operating in perfect alignment.”

— Dr. Amir Mian, Program Architect (Dell Children's Medical Center)

“At Dell Children's, our mission is clear: to bring world-class cancer care closer to home. Every team member contributes meaningfully towards that goal.”

— Dr. Amir Mian, Program Architect (Dell Children's Medical Center)

“This achievement is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration of our nurses, physicians, staff, and supporters.”

— Adam Messer, President (Dell Children's Medical Center)

What’s next

The hospital says the new stem cell program is a crucial step towards enabling future allogeneic transplants, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, and gene therapies for pediatric patients.

The takeaway

Dell Children's Medical Center's new stem cell program is expanding access to life-saving bone marrow transplants for children in Central Texas, demonstrating the hospital's commitment to bringing world-class cancer care closer to home through innovative treatments and strong community partnerships.