Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at UPMC

More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease and close to three million may have type 1 diabetes. For many, transplant is a viable option for a better life.

At the UPMC Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, our main goal is to improve the lives of people who have renal (kidney) disease, problems from diabetes, or both.

As one of the nation's most active and experienced transplant programs, we have vast experience in kidney, pancreas, and combined kidney-pancreas transplants.

From thorough evaluation to world-class treatment, we provide a patient-centered approach to care throughout the entire transplant process. Your dedicated transplant team will guide and support you each step of the way.

Contact the UPMC Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program

The Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Process: What to Expect

Located in Pittsburgh and Erie, The UPMC Kidney and Pancreas Transplant program accepts self-referrals and physician referrals. What happens after your doctor refers you to UPMC's Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program?

• Our team will schedule an appointment for your transplant evaluation. Before your appointment, our experts will review your history and prior testing to see if you might be a kidney or pancreas transplant candidate.
• At your kidney or pancreas transplant evaluation, you will meet with our medical and surgical transplant teams to discuss your disease and the short- and long-term details of transplantation.
• Then, a multidisciplinary group of experts will review your case and decide if a kidney or pancreas transplant is your best option. We'll let you know our decision within several weeks after your evaluation.

Why Choose UPMC's Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program?

• Since 1988, our surgeons have performed more than 4,200 kidney transplants and 1,000 living-donor kidney transplants.
• Our skilled team of kidney and pancreas transplant surgeons takes on some of the most complex cases.
• Meet some people who chose UPMC for kidney/pancreas transplant
• Learn about living-donor kidney transplant at UPMC.
• Passport to completing your kidney and/or pancreas transplant evaluation (PDF)

Learn More About Kidney Transplant and Organ Donation

From the UPMC HealthBeat Blog:

• Living Donor: Medical Mondays
• Living Donor Kidney Transplant Patient Story: A Second Chance at Life
• Kidney Donation Chain: Who’s Who?
• Can I Donate Certain Organs While I’m Still Alive?
• How to Register to Become an Organ Donor
• 6 Common Organ Donation Myths Debunked
• The Impact of One Organ Donor

From the UPMC Health Library:

• Kidney Transplant
• Donating a Kidney
• Organ Transplant
• Becoming an Organ Donor
• Living Organ Donation