Kidney and Pancreas Transplant

Providing personal and complete care for transplant recipients and living donors.

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Kidney and Pancreas Transplant

Providing personal and complete care for transplant recipients and living donors.

Make an appointment Find a provider Find a location

Kidney and pancreas transplants in Seattle

UW Medicine is the most experienced kidney/pancreas transplant team in the region. Our team has performed the most combined kidney/pancreas transplants in the Northwest. We hold a five-tier rating by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. 95 percent of our kidney recipients have a working kidney after three years. Patients looking into transplant or post-transplant treatment have access to research studies focusing on new medications to prevent the rejection of transplanted kidneys. Combined with a specialized post-transplant infectious disease team and a wellness program, UW Medicine is dedicated to your well-being post-transplant.

Improving Your Odds

We offer an innovative living kidney donor exchange as well as a deceased donor utilization program to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Shorter Wait Times

With excellent results and the shortest wait times in the state, our patient satisfaction rates are among the highest in the Northwest.

Lifesaving Experience

We have performed over 3,000 transplants since 1968. Our nephrologists and surgeons have more than a decades’ experience in living donation.

Transplant Programs

With a focus on innovation and research, UW Medicine’s kidney and pancreas transplant team works to improve transplant procedures, post-transplant care, and long-term patient outcomes.

Kidney transplant

When a kidney fails, treatment is needed to replace the diseased kidney with one that works. There are two types of treatment for kidney failure — dialysis or transplantation. Many people prefer kidney transplantation as a long-term treatment because it offers more freedom and a better quality of life than dialysis.

Patients being considered for a kidney transplant undergo a variety of evaluations to test psychological, social and physical readiness. Blood and other diagnostic tests are performed to identify a donor match and gain a picture of overall health before the procedure.

Pancreas transplantation

Patients with type 1 diabetes — an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin — may qualify for a pancreas transplant as well as a kidney transplant, if it's determined that it's needed. A successful pancreas transplant can allow the patient to control blood sugar without needing to use insulin because the new pancreas will create it for them. Patients have reported no longer having problems with very low blood sugars (hypoglycemia), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or coma from om very high sugars (hyperglycemia), all of which can be life-threatening. Normal blood sugars can prevent or sometimes reverse long-term complications of diabetes.

Transplant infection care

UW Medicine is the only transplant center in the region with a specialized transplant infectious disease (ID) team. The transplant ID team consists of a group of board-certified ID physicians with expertise in transplant infections. Through close attention and monitoring, our care team works with you to minimize the risk of infection following the transplant procedure. Infection can occur in the new organ or the tissue surrounding it. Your care team will also monitor for any bronchial tube problems following the transplant.

Learn more about the transplant program at UW Medicine

If you have questions, please call the pre-transplant kidney line at 206.598.3882.

Transplant patient documents and forms

Transplant recipient forms

The following forms need to be completed and brought to your scheduled clinic appointment at UW Medical Center – Montlake:

Please print and fax completed forms to 206.598.2201 or mail them to: 

UW Medical Center – Montlake Kidney Transplant Program 
1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356174 
Seattle, WA 98195 

Patient education and resources

Patient education

Inform yourself to make the best choices for your health and care with UW Medicine patient education resources. To learn more, click the button below to watch our educational video about the kidney and pancreas transplant journey.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Learn about the benefits of living donor transplantation and how to pursue living donor transplant as a treatment option.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Patient support and resources

Support is an important part of your care beyond treatment. Support groups and community resources can help you and your loved ones through your medical journey and recovery.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUPPORT RESOURCES

Transplant Mentors

Transplant Mentors at UW Medical Center – Montlake volunteer their time to meet with, talk with, and support patients and their families who are currently going through the transplant process.

Learn more

Doctor referrals

Referral information

To have your patient evaluated as a candidate for kidney transplantation, download and complete the kidney transplant referral checklist below and fax it to 206.598.7176. If you have any questions about the program or want to schedule an appointment, call 206.598.3882.

DOWNLOAD KIDNEY TRANSPLANT REFERRAL FORM

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Raise transplant awareness

Join Team Transplant

UW Medical Center’s Team Transplant provides a life-changing wellness program for transplant recipients, donors, caregivers, UW employees, family and friends. Team members train together and complete local walking or running events by following a regular exercise plan and healthy diet. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT TEAM TRANSPLANT