Kidney Transplant Program
We are professionals who specialize in the pre-transplant, operative, and long-term follow-up care of patients with End-Stage Renal disease. We have performed more than 3,000 kidney transplants and are a leader of innovation in kidney transplant.
Watch Dwayne’s Transplant Journey
Dwayne Sheppard didn't have problems with his kidneys until he was 58 years old. Severe kidney disease negatively affected his quality of life until a transplant became a necessity. His transplant journey led to quite an unexpected result. Watch Dwayne’s story and additional video anecdotes related to kidney transplantation.
About us
- Performed the first kidney transplant in 1963 in the upper Midwest
- Since 1963, we have performed more than 3,100 kidney transplants. The transplant program continues their history of innovation to improve success rate and decrease the wait for an organ.
- Performed the first dialysis treatment in 1963 in the upper Midwest
- Performed the first laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy in 1998 in the upper Midwest
- Completed the first paired exchange transplant in 2010 in the upper Midwest
- Hepatitis C protocol development using new medications that allow the safe transplantation of Hepatitis C positive donor kidneys
- 75% of Native American transplants in the upper Midwest occur at Hennepin Healthcare and community education efforts are supported through a HRSA grant
- Assists with transplant education support to the dialysis community with Explore Transplant, a nonprofit program that disseminates transplant education on a national level
- Participates in Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute research, dedicated to improving patient care and the health of our community through research and education
- Academic training institution for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and social workers preparing them for their future medical career
Surgical Services
Physicians in the Division of Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery provide services including renal transplantation and vascular access therapies for chronic dialysis. In addition, all other areas of general surgical care for the chronic dialysis patient are provided. The following surgical and therapeutic services are provided:
- Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Renal transplantation
- Vascular access for hemodialysis
The Chronic Disease Research Group of the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute houses and administers the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) with oversight and funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the United States Renal Data System Coordinating Center (USRDS) which is funded directly by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIKKD).
Visit our Wall of Heroes
Visit our Wall of Heroes website or visit it on the second floor in the Red building by the Spiritual Center.
