Kidney Transplant Program - New York City - Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantion

The Kidney Transplant Program at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantion was founded in 1967, and was one of the first transplant centers in the world. For more than four decades, we have been at the forefront of critical developments in transplantation, offering adults and children with kidney failure a chance to be free from dialysis and improving their quality of life. The first Pediatric Dialysis Center in the nation was established at Montefiore, under the guidance of Ira Greifer, MD, an internationally recognized pioneer in pediatric kidney failure. The Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation also sponsors one of the only specialty summer camps for children with organ failure and transplantation.

Personalized Care

Patients needing kidney transplantation come from across the nation and around the world to the Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation. Our Center's outstanding success rate, meticulous attention to each patient's needs and our advanced medical care distinguish us from many other transplant centers. Patients of all cultures and religions are embraced here, with specialized liaisons available to support patients and families with translation services. Every detail, from language and nutrition to each treatment plan, is oriented from a patient-centered approach, and each patient, once transplanted here, is followed for life by our team of experts.

Our personalized care approach reaches beyond treating each patient. We work closely with the whole family to create support systems for patients before, during and after transplantation. We have extensive experience in advanced dialysis treatments and work closely with patients' home dialysis units and nephrologists.

At every stage, our advanced multidisciplinary team of transplant nephrologists, transplant surgeons, nurses, social workers, donor advocates, nutritionists and financial counselors creates a unique transplant experience. The vast resources at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation include:

• A dedicated transplant unit with on-site dialysis capabilities
• An advanced immunology laboratory with flow cytometry for state-of-the-art cross-matching
• A dedicated team of transplant nurses and physician assistants
• 24-hour/seven-days-a-week care by attending physicians and surgeons

Only attending transplant surgeons, who have completed specialty training at the finest academic institutions, may perform transplants.

Why Undergo a Kidney Transplant?

While conventional dialysis can maintain patients without the need for transplantation, kidney transplantation has been shown to improve survival among patients with renal failure, especially those with conditions like diabetes. As transplantation also substantially improves quality of life, we advise virtually all patients on dialysis to be evaluated for transplantation as an optimal treatment solution. Transplants are approved only after a careful and thorough examination of the patient's case by a team of experienced physicians.

Dialysis is a more effective treatment than transplantation in some cases. Some patients with serious medical conditions like heart disease or cancer may not benefit from receiving a transplant. Likewise, elderly patients (over age 70) may be at higher risk for complications and side effects of the immunosuppressive medications. As complex decision-making requires a holistic assessment, we conduct several consultations with doctors, nurses and social workers. The transplant team emphasizes patient involvement in choosing a treatment plan by encouraging patient education. In some cases, we may decide together with the patient and the family that transplantation is not the best course of treatment. If so, we will work closely with the patient's doctors to develop a different care plan.