Kidney Transplant Program

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

Personalized Care

Patients from across the country and overseas come to the Montefiore-Einstein Transplant Center for kidney transplantation. Our 95% success rate, meticulous attention to each individual's needs, and state-of-the-art medical care distinguishes us from many other transplant centers.  Patients with unique cultural and religious needs are embraced here, with specialized liaisons available to support patients and families. Every detail, from language and nutrition to each treatment plan, is oriented with a patient-centric approach, and once transplanted here, patients are followed by our team for life. 

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.  Additionally, 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 create a unique transplant experience. The resources at the Montefiore-Einstein Transplant Center are vast and include a dedicated transplant unit with on-site dialysis capabilities, an advanced immunology laboratory with flow cytometry for state-of-the-art cross matching, dedicated transplant nurses and physician assistants and 24/7 care by attending level physicians and surgeons. The Montefiore-Einstein Transplant Center has no surgical transplant fellows in training; all operations are performed  by attending level transplant surgeons who have completed specialty training at the finest academic institutions. 

Why Undergo a Kidney Transplant?

While conventional dialysis can maintain patients without the need for transplantation, kidney transplantation has demonstrated improvement in survival among patients with renal failure, especially those with certain conditions like diabetes.  Transplantation can also substantially improve quality of life. Therefore, it is advisable for virtually all patients on dialysis to be evaluated at a transplant center to determine whether transplantation is the optimal treatment solution.  Not everyone will benefit from transplantation compared to dialysis; only a careful and thorough evaluation by an experienced team can offer patients the best recommendations. 

For example, 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 certain types of complications and side effects of medications. The complex decision-making process requires a holistic assessment, which is why our approach involves several consultations with doctors, nurses, and social workers. We emphasize education, so that patients become part of the treatment plan decision. In some cases we may decide together with the patient and their family that transplantation is not right, in which case we will work closely with the patient's doctors to develop a different care plan. 

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