Lafaine Grant, M.D.

Meet Dr. Grant

Liver Disease Specialist in Dallas

As a transplant hepatologist with specialized training in both liver disease and liver transplantation, Lafaine Grant, M.D., treats patients with all types of liver disease.

Dr. Grant joined UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2007 to help form the Liver Transplant Program, where she works with people who are candidates for – or who have already received – a liver transplant.

An Evolving Field

Dr. Grant says that certain types of liver disease are becoming less of a problem for patients – for example, hepatitis C, which is now curable – while others are growing much more problematic.

“My patient population reflects the general population at large,” she explains, “in the past, the majority had liver injury from alcohol or viral hepatitis. However, an increasing number are being seen for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) formerly known as fatty liver.” "There are also a good number of patients who have autoimmune liver disease or drug-induced liver injury.”

Most liver diseases require careful management or treatment in order to prevent serious complications, Dr. Grant says.

“Chronic liver disease can cause extensive scarring of the liver, which is what we call cirrhosis,” she says. “Any patient with cirrhosis can then have complications of cirrhosis, and when that occurs, the patient is considered for liver transplant.” 

For patients who do require a transplant, UT Southwestern’s Liver Transplant Program produces three-year survival rates that are above the national average.

A Reason to Hope

For Dr. Grant, liver disease represents a complex challenge, as well as an opportunity to help patients with potentially life-threatening conditions. 

“Liver disease affects the entire body, so it can be challenging to manage, but that gives me an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients,” she says.

Dr. Grant adds that she strives to put herself in her patients’ shoes throughout their treatment journey.

“If I can appreciate it from that perspective, then I think I can do a better job of helping my patients through the process,” she says. “I want to understand how it affects their lives and then help them through that journey.

“I always remember to reassure my patients that the liver is really quite resilient, and we have options for managing their disease.”