The GW Transplant Institute
Virtual Visits Available
Virtual Health enables you to speak with providers using your phone, tablet or computer. Call 202-715-4225 to schedule a virtual appointment.
The GW Transplant Institute has a comprehensive kidney transplant program along with the specialty services required to care for transplant surgery patients. About 30 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). For many, a kidney transplant can be the most effective treatment option.
The GW Transplant Institute performs kidney transplants using kidneys from both living and deceased donors. This process may include:
- Pre-transplant care and listing for transplants
- Transplant surgery utilizing advanced techniques and equipment
- Post-transplant care
- Advanced transplant protocols
- Transplant biopsies
- Transplant related laboratory tests
Are you registered to be an organ donor? Register now >
Schedule an Appointment
Please fill out our general appointment form below or call our referral service at 888-4GW-DOCS.
Podcast: The Use of New Technologies to Increase Kidney Transplantation in Minority Patients
In this segment, Keith Melancon, MD, discusses new technologies designed to address the problematic limited pool of kidney donors in African American and Hispanic populations.
Surgical Options
The GW Transplant Institute offers a variety of surgical procedures using advanced technology and equipment, including:
Deceased donor transplant: A patient receives a transplant from a deceased donor.
Living donor transplant: A family member or a friend agrees to donate a healthy kidney to someone with end-stage renal disease. This is a scheduled surgery.
Learn More About Being a Living Donor
Laparoscopic donor surgery: A surgeon performs a transplant through small incisions with a shortened hospital stay and recovery time.
ABO incompatible kidney transplant: If a recipient’s blood contains antibodies that react to a potential donor's blood type, the antibody reaction will immediately reject the transplant. Until recently, the only option was to identify recipient-donor transplant pairs with compatible blood types. ABO incompatible kidney transplant now allows transplants between some individuals with different blood types.
Desensitization for transplant: Sensitized kidney transplant patients have high antibody levels that react to foreign tissue. This can prevent a person from having a donor kidney match. Desensitization is a process in which antibodies are removed from the blood through plasma exchange. After each treatment, clinicians give a drug to the patient to help prevent antibodies from coming back. Typically, two to four treatments are required prior to transplant.
Auto transplant: A surgeon removes a kidney and transplants it in a different location within that person to improve renal function.
Living Donor Paired Kidney Exchange: A living donor donates a kidney to another recipient who also has an incompatible or poorly compatible donor. This increases the amount of individuals receiving a transplant. An altruistic donor may also start a kidney transplant exchange.
Kidney Transplant 101 at GW Hospital: Part One
Chet “C. Alan” Bennett, also known as Chef Benne, received a kidney transplant at GW Hospital. In part one of this video, Chef Benne shares his experience in a discussion with Dr. Keith Melancon, Chief of the GW Transplant Institute and Medical Director at the Ron and Joy Paul Kidney Institute. The two also talk about kidney disease in general, as well as the family-like atmosphere at the Institute.
Kidney Transplant 101 at GW Hospital: Part Two
Chet “C. Alan” Bennett, also known as Chef Benne, and Dr. Keith Melancon, Chief of the GW Transplant Institute and Medical Director at the Ron and Joy Paul Kidney Institute, continue their discussion. In part two of this video, they talk about end-stage kidney disease, signs of kidney disease, candidacy for kidney transplant and more.
Our Mission
The George Washington Transplant Institute is dedicated to increasing access and care provided to a multicultural and diverse community by utilizing cutting-edge advancements in the field of transplantation.
Our Vision
To save lives and improve outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.
Our Core Values
- Advance equity in transplantation access
- Advocate for healthier lifestyles by expanding health literacy
- Promote living donor transplantation Increase transplantation rates
- Prevent morbidity and mortality post transplantation
The GW Transplant Institute
2131 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-715-4225
The Ron and Joy Paul Kidney Center is focused on fighting kidney disease and encouraging transplants.