Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center has announced a pause of its heart transplant program due to key vacancies within the program.

The expected duration of the pause was not disclosed in a press release from the health care system.

To comply with regulatory requirements, Providence is assisting patients on its heart transplant waitlists to transition smoothly to other centers for their transplant, the release states.

Patients will retain their accrued time on the waitlist, ensuring no loss of progress. For those in the pretransplant evaluation phase, Providence will continue to provide care and will work to transfer referrals for the transplant.

“Our priority is to provide the best possible care for our patients and our community throughout this transition,” says Dr. Dan Getz, Providence chief medical officer, in the release.

Providence cardiologists will continue to deliver ongoing care to all patients on the waitlist and those who have previously received a transplant. The pause will not affect Providence’s other cardiology or transplant programs, which will continue uninterrupted.

The heart transplant program is one component of the comprehensive cardiac care offered by the Providence Heart Institute. The program has completed six transplants this year.