Your Kidney Transplant Medical Team at University of Colorado Hospital
Our approach to transplantation is both unique and effective. Our Kidney Transplant team includes a multidisciplinary group that specializes in transplantation. This integrated approach ensures that you receive the highest level of care and has been instrumental in helping us achieve one of the finest outcome records in the nation.
Kidney Transplant Specialists: Core Medical Team
Transplant Surgeon – The doctor who performs your transplant. You will meet with the kidney transplant surgeons during your kidney transplant evaluation. The surgeon will discuss risks and benefits of kidney transplant surgery. The surgeon continues to work along side the nephrologists after your transplant.
Nephrologist – A kidney disease specialist who monitors your kidney function throughout the entire transplantation experience.
Transplant Nurse Coordinator – Provides you with information about each stage of the transplant experience. One of the nurse coordinators will notify you when you are placed on the list and when a kidney becomes available for you. They also will arrange your follow-up care after you are discharged from the hospital.
Transplant Nurses – Registered nurses who are specially trained to care for transplant patients. They teach you everything you need to know to care for yourself once you return home.
Social Worker – Provides you with emotional support, assistance with housing and discharge planning and a variety of other services as needed. The transplant social worker meets you during your evaluation and is available to you and your family at any time throughout the transplant experience.
Additional Kidney Transplant Medical Specialists
Depending on your individual needs, any one, or all, of the following specialists also may be involved in your care.
Anesthesiologist – A doctor trained to administer medication to patients undergoing surgery
Infectious Disease Specialist – A doctor who specializes in treating diseases caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Immunologist – A doctor who treats disorders of the immune system.
Pathologist – A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
Psychiatrist – A licensed medical doctor who evaluates, diagnoses and treats mental disorders.
Other Kidney Transplant Staff
Financial Coordinator – Discusses options for payment with you and your family, communicates with your insurance company prior to your transplant (if necessary) and answers billing questions after your transplant.
Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian – A professional trained to prevent and treat disease through the use of individual nutrients found in food and supplements. Your nutritional needs may change immediately after your transplant and again after your recovery.