Austin Schenk, MD, PHD

Physician, Associate Professor

Transplant

Make an appointment

614-293-8746
Accepting new patients

Conditions and expertise

  • Organ Transplantation
  • Living Donors
  • Pancreas Transplantation
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Kidney Diseases
  • Liver Transplantation

View all conditions

Locations

  • Comprehensive Transplant Center
  • Comprehensive Transplant Center

View all locations

Academics and research

Department: Surgery

View my research

About

Gender
Male

Biography

As a transplant surgeon, I perform liver, kidney and pancreas transplantations for patients suffering from organ failure. I care for all of my patients as if they were a member of my own family. I strive to work together with my patients to help them achieve a healthier, happier future – understanding their unique needs and personal goals. It’s a joy to play a leading role in offering patients a fresh start at life. Additionally, it’s an honor to facilitate the process of giving one of life’s most meaningful gifts, which is made possible by our donor families and living organ donors.

I'm thrilled to work at an academic medical center like Ohio State. Our Buckeye spirit is incredible and is reflected in our staff and faculty's continuous pursuit of excellence.

In my free time I enjoy reading, skiing and exploring Columbus with my young daughters.

Highlights

  • Published my first scientific manuscript, 2008
  • Received the Minerva and Carl Wiggers Prize in Physiology, 2010
  • Received the Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award, 2013
  • Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list

Conditions and expertise

  • Kidney Diseases
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Living Donors
  • Organ Transplantation
  • Pancreas Transplantation
  • Transplantation

Locations

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Credentials

Education

Fellowship - Transplant Surgery
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
7/1/2016 - 6/30/2018
Residency - Surgery (General Surgery)
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, United States
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2016
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
7/1/2002 - 5/1/2010

Certification

  • American Board of Surgery
    3/29/2017

Academics and research

I am an abdominal transplant surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Division of Transplantation, actively practicing liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation. My research background includes work in biophysical chemistry, transplantation immunology, and cancer immunotherapy. I also direct a transplant immunology research laboratory dedicated to improving clinical outcomes in solid organ transplantation.

Research interests

  • vT-Cell / Endothelial Cell Interactions
  • TCR Repertoire Diversity
  • Adoptive Immunotherapy
  • Measures of Human Immune Competence and Frailty

Research Lab Goals

The goal of our research is to improve long-term outcomes in solid organ transplantation through 1)enhanced understanding of the basic immunologic mechanisms that cause allograft rejection,2)development of novel immunosuppressive strategies,and 3)validation of clinical assays designed to measure human immune frailty.

Research Techniques

  • Murine heterotopic cardiac transplantation
  • Murine skin transplantation
  • TCR repertoire analyses
  • Flow cytometry
  • Cell culture and molecular analytics

Research Funding

  • R01,Impact of ableism and state laws designated to mitigate ableism on organ transplant equity for kidney transplant candidates with intellectual or development disabilities,8/1/2024–6/30/2029,$2,535,815

Academic information

Department:
Surgery
Division:
Transplant

Leadership titles

  • Quality and Patient Safety Officer, Comprehensive Transplant Center

More about my research

Ratings and reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

56 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

4.9 out of 5 overall
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Listens Carefully
    5.0 / 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    5.0 / 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.9 / 5
  • Shows Respect
    4.9 / 5
  • Time Spent Together
    5.0 / 5

Patient Comments

  • Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

    Excellent physician and his team

  • Reviewed on Sep 07, 2025

    Excellent human being, to whom I owe my life.

  • Reviewed on Sep 01, 2025

    LOVE this down to earth, brilliant surgeon.

  • Reviewed on Jun 01, 2025

    Great empathy

  • Reviewed on Feb 02, 2025

    He is excellent. One of the kindest persons I have ever met. I'm so glad he is my dr.

Consulting and Related Relationships

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.

As of 11/3/2025, Dr. Schenk has reported no relationships with companies or entities.

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