12/5/2016
ERIE, Pa., Dec. 5, 2016 – UPMC Hamot has received final approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its adult kidney transplant program, making it the first and only United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and Medicare approved transplant program in the region.
“This is just another example of how we are building on our promise to bring world-class care to northwestern Pennsylvania by expanding the number of specialty services available,” said David Gibbons, UPMC Hamot chief operating officer. “UPMC has led the way in organ transplantation, from performing first-of-its kind procedures to developing drug regimens that make it possible for transplant survivors to thrive. Now patients can stay here in our community to get the benefit of these amazing innovations.”
As part of the CMS accreditation process, four transplant surgeries were performed at UPMC Hamot over the past year—all of which involved living donors. However, the program also will include deceased donors going forward.
“This is an exciting time for the UPMC transplant program. Over the last several years, we’ve expanded our clinics across western Pennsylvania and are seeing more patients for clinic visits where they live, instead of having them travel to Pittsburgh,” said Abhinav Humar, M.D., UPMC’s chief of transplantation. “Now we offer this life-saving procedure to many more people living with kidney disease.”
In September, 2015, 63-year-old Daniel Clint of Ashtabula, Ohio was the first patient to receive a kidney transplant at UPMC Hamot under the care of Amit Tevar, M.D., UPMC surgical director, kidney and pancreas transplantation. Clint’s daughter, Autumn, 22, of La Mesa, California was his donor.
“Once I met Dr. Tevar, I did not hesitate to choose UPMC Hamot for my surgery,” said Clint. “I am very grateful to UPMC Hamot for this life-saving surgery and the astounding care I received from Dr. Tevar and his team and the wonderful nursing staff. “
The transplant team at UPMC Hamot consists of clinicians and staff from the transplant program in Pittsburgh, allowing for a close partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute.
More than 100,000 Americans are waiting for a kidney transplant. Because of a shortage of organ donors, an average of 13 people die each day while on the waiting list.