One of the First Centers in the World Celebrates 40+ Years Serving Region

NEW YORK (November 21, 2013) – The Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation today marked a major milestone of completing 3,000 kidney transplants since its inception more than 40 years ago. The Center also recently completed its 100th liver transplant since the program launched nearly six years ago.

The Kidney Transplant Program was established in 1967, and was one of the first transplant centers in the world. For more than four decades, the program has been at the forefront of critical developments in transplantation, offering adults and children with kidney failure a chance to be free from dialysis and an improved quality of life. The Liver Transplant Program was launched in 2008. It is a highly advanced multidisciplinary center for adults and children with liver disease that offers management of hepatitis, treatment of biliary tract disorders, liver surgery and liver transplantation. The transplant team of experienced surgeons uses the most advanced techniques and the latest equipment for the highest possible success rates in transplantations.

“The transplantation programs at Montefiore fill a significant, unmet medical need for people who live in the Bronx and surrounding region and suffer from end-stage liver and kidney disease,” said Milan Kinkhabwala, M.D., chief of the Division of Transplantation and director of Abdominal Transplantation at Montefiore and professor of surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. “The Bronx has one of the highest rates of liver and kidney disease in the country. Our programs allow patients to receive be cared for locally closer to home, by a team of professionals, at a center with an incredible amount of experience and expertise in all aspects of liver and kidney care.”

More than 1,400 people in New York state alone are currently waiting for a liver transplant, and 8,400 people are in need of a kidney transplant. Montefiore’s unique capabilities as an academic medical center help address patient needs through community-based outreach and education, and care provided by a nationally recognized team of specialists, including nutritional evaluation, family medicine, nurse practitioners and full psychosocial support.”

Thousands of patients suffering from serious liver diseases, including Hepatitis C, cirrhosis and cancer, are treated annually at Montefiore. Additionally, staggering numbers of Bronx residents have diabetes, which can ultimately lead to renal failure and kidney disease.

“With more than 40 years of leadership in transplantation, Montefiore is committed to the care of adult and pediatric transplant patients with conditions affecting the liver and kidney as well as heart and pancreas,” said Dr. Kinkhabwala. “The Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation blends state-of-the-art medical and surgical care in a compassionate, patient-centric environment, resulting in the best possible outcome for our patients.”