The George Washington University Hospital to Launch Kidney Transplant Services

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The George Washington University Hospital today announced that it will launch The GW Kidney Transplant Institute in 2013.

"The establishment of a kidney transplant program is another step in the continued growth and development of GW Hospital," says Barry A. Wolfman, CEO and Managing Director of The George Washington University Hospital.  "We believe GW Hospital is uniquely positioned to provide the comprehensive care and specialty services required to care for transplant surgery patients; as well as, establish GW as a leader among Academic Medical Centers."

In anticipation of starting up the program, The George Washington University Hospital will conduct a national search to appoint a Surgical Director of the Transplant Surgery (co-director).  The Director will work with hospital administration and the medical staff to position the program to achieve and provide the highest quality care and patient outcomes.

"Today, GW Hospital embarks on a journey to provide high-quality renal disease services to all residents in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan region," said Dominic Raj, MD, Director of the Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension at GW Hospital, who will serve as Director of Transplant Medical Services. "The objective is to ensure ready access to the level of care most appropriate to the patient's needs within a system of total patient care."

Today, only four percent of hospitals in the nation provide transplant services.  In the District of Columbia, many patients are waiting for kidney transplants. The need for transplant surgery is growing due to the large number of dialysis patients in the region.  Currently, nearly 2,000 individuals undertake kidney dialysis treatments in the District of Columbia.

"During the next several months, GW Hospital will create a program that is comprehensive, clinically sound and dedicated to meet the needs of patients and their families throughout the Washington metropolitan region," Anton Sidawy, MD, Chairman, Department of Surgery at GW Hospital. "We are committed to patient satisfaction, patient co-management and to providing attending and referral physicians with the appropriate resources and support, including quick responses to patient referrals and consult requests."

The GW Kidney Transplant Institute will perform all aspects of the kidney donation and transplant process; from initial evaluations to surgical procedures to all of the necessary after-care. The hospital will perform transplants from both live and deceased donors.  The hospital is now embarking on all regulatory and process approvals.

SOURCE The George Washington University Hospital