Living Kidney Donor Transplant
At the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, we provide excellent care for everyone participating in our Living Kidney Donor program. We established our program in 1970, giving us a long history of facilitating kidney donations from living donors to recipients in need, with excellent outcomes for everyone.
Meet Your Care Team
Bernard J. DubrayJr, MD
- Dialysis Access, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Laparoscopic Kidney Donor Surgery, Pancreas Transplantation, Pediatric Kidney Transplant, Pediatric Surgery, Renal Transplantation
Rachel C. ForbesMD, MBA, FACS
- Dialysis Access, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Laparoscopic Kidney Donor Surgery, Pancreas Transplantation, Pediatric Kidney Transplant, Pediatric Surgery, Renal Transplantation
Beatrice P. ConcepcionMD
- Amyloidosis, Kidney Transplantation, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Nephrology
April L. DemersAPRN, MSN, BSN
- End Stage Kidney Disease, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Renal Transplantation, Surgical Problems in Patients with Pancreas Disease, Transplant, Transplant Surgery
Princess J. SheltonFNP
- Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Renal Transplantation, Transplant, Transplant Surgery
Why Choose Living Kidney Donor Transplant at Vanderbilt
- Paired donor process
We can create chains of living donors and recipients within Vanderbilt. But we also work with other healthcare organizations to create chains of living donors and recipients across different hospitals. We have dedicated resources to coordinate our participation in this life-giving opportunity.
- Knowledge and experience
Our team has performed more than 1,750 living donor transplants, including paired donations. Nine people received kidneys from paired donation in 2018 alone.
- Excellent outcomes
People who receive a kidney from a living donor have a better chance for a longer, healthier life. Kidneys from living donors tend to last longer than deceased donor kidneys. Also, if you have a living donor, you don’t have to wait on a list for a kidney to become available from a deceased donor.
- Comprehensive care
We are committed to protecting and preserving the health and well-being of our living donors, as well as our kidney recipients. Every donor is paired with a living donor advocate who solely represents them and their interests and makes sure their needs are met. Living donors are evaluated carefully by a team of physicians to ensure they are able to live a healthy life without long-term complications after donating.
- Support services
Our transplant center offers many support services, including living donor coordinators, nurses and social workers who oversee and manage the entire process.
- Convenient services
We provide an online form that you can submit if you are considering becoming a living kidney donor. Being evaluated for donation is free. If you donate a kidney, your surgery, hospital stay and follow-up visits are financially covered as well.
Are You Able to Donate?
Tests, Treatments and Services
Screening and testing we offer to people who are interested in donating a kidney include:
- Consultations with transplant surgeons and other specialists
- Imaging tests
- Pathology and other laboratory tests
- An independent living donor advocate (ILDA) who will communicate and advocate on your behalf