Specialists and Care Centers
Kidney Transplantation Specialists and Care Centers
Benefits of our comprehensive kidney transplant program include:
- One of only a handful of centers in the country offering ABO-incompatible transplantation
- One of a few transplant centers in the country investigating new therapies to help wean transplant recipients off immunosuppressant drugs
- A leader in kidney paired donation, a possible solution for donor and recipient pairs who are not compatible with each other
- One of the world’s most experienced centers for steroid-free kidney transplantation
- One of the nation’s leading centers for laparoscopic kidney procedures
- Satellite outreach clinics providing transplant evaluation services closer to home
- Hispanic Transplant Program offering a culturally sensitive approach to patient care
- Innovative methods to get patients home sooner
- Integration with the pancreas and islet transplant programs for combined transplants for renal disease and type 1 diabetes patients
The Northwestern Medicine Kidney Transplant Team
During the course of your kidney transplant care at Northwestern Medicine, you will meet a number of team members. This group of specialists brings expertise from a variety of disciplines, and works together to give you the best care possible.
The kidney transplant team includes:
- Transplant surgeons: Physicians who specialize in transplantation. These surgeons will perform your surgery and will coordinate with all members of your care team. They will be involved in your care before your transplant, after your transplant, and after your discharge from the hospital.
- Transplant Nephrologists: Physicians who specialize in disorders of the kidneys. Nephrologists will help manage your transplant before and after the surgery.
- Transplant nurse coordinator: A nurse who will serve as your contact person throughout the transplant process. They will answer all of your questions and organize all aspects of care before, during, and after your transplant. The nurse coordinator will provide patient education materials and coordinate your diagnostic testing and follow‐up care.
- Social workers: Professionals who will provide support to you and your family. They will help you deal with many issues that may arise, including lodging and transportation, finances, and legal issues.
- Dietitians: Professionals who will help you meet your nutritional needs before and after the transplant.
- Physical therapists: Professionals who will help you become physically strong and independent with movement and endurance after the transplantation.
- Pastoral care: Chaplains are available to provide spiritual care and support.
- Other team members: Several other team members will evaluate you before transplantation and provide follow‐up care, as needed. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Anesthesiologists
- Hematologists
- Infectious disease specialists
- Lab technicians
- Pharmacists
- Psychologists
- Respiratory therapists
- Urologists