Kidney Transplant Program

Kidney transplantation means removing a healthy kidney from one person and surgically placing it in a patient who lost the function of their kidneys from disease. A kidney transplant can come from a living donor or from someone who donated their kidney after their death. People who donate after their death are called deceased or cadaver donors. Transplantation is done for a variety of conditions - including, but not limited to, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, congenital problems of the bladder or ureter, or cancer. Transplantation allows patients with debilitating kidney disease to avoid or eliminate the need for dialysis; returning to happy, productive lives. Alternatives to dialysis and transplant are continually being explored. The University of Michigan is a leader in these efforts. Since 1964, our kidney transplant team has transplanted over 4,783 kidneys.

Kidney transplant patients at the University of Michigan are cared for by multidisciplinary teams that consist of transplant physicians, transplant surgeons, transplant pediatricians, transplant coordinators, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers and nutritionists.