Back to Life Golf Tournament and Kidney Transplant at Brown University Health

The Transplant Center at Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) has been delivering health with care since 1997 and continues to do so under Brown University Health. Our focus remains on kidney donations, transplants, and recipient care for patients in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. We are the only transplant hospital in Rhode Island, and our transplant rate is among the best in New England and our one-year patient and kidney survival is above the national average. 

Forty percent of our transplants come from a living donor. The Transplant Center at RIH was one of the first in the world to implement a program of altruistic or “Good Samaritan” living kidney donation allowing kidney donation to “a stranger in need.” We performed the first live donor kidney exchange in the United States and continue to exchange kidneys between incompatible pairs in 2-way and 3-way exchanges. These occur locally, within RIH, and nationally – transporting the donated kidney across the country by commercial carriers. 

The Transplant Center at RIH includes a group of supporting specialists to ensure that every aspect of each patient's care is expertly and seamlessly coordinated. These include: a transplant pathologist, dermatologist, cardiologists, infectious disease specialists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, pharmacists, social workers, and a financial coordinator to assist with third party coverage. This “Team” is essential to the long-term survival of the transplanted kidney and the health of the recipient. 

To highlight the importance of the Transplant Center at RIH, key metrics appear below: 

· 1637 total transplants performed at the center (as of December 31, 2024)

· 296 number of patients on the waiting list 

· 5 – 6 is the average number of years a patient is on the waiting list.

· 4 and 80 are the ages of the youngest and oldest patients to receive a transplant at RIH. 

Generous donations from members of our transplant family and events like the Nagle “Back to Life” Golf Tournament support the mission of RIH Transplant. These funds help patients on our wait list and kidney recipients as they navigate the financial challenges of renal failure, dialysis, transplantation, and recovery. The burdens of kidney disease are lifelong and can be complicated by financial strains. 

This year the patient assistance fund helped several in need who are waiting for a transplant and as well as patients who have had a transplant. Many of our patients live on small, fixed incomes or are disabled by kidney disease and surgery. This year, as prices increased, many patients struggled. Two patients lost their housing, and the Patient Assistance Fund helped support them until they could secure safe and affordable housing within their family or in the community. Assuring these patients a safe home and access to their transplant medications is essential to maintaining their kidney transplant function. 

In closing, thank you again for being part of our family at Rhode Island Hospital’s Transplant Center! Your gift through the Back to Life Golf Tournament supports our mission and will make a meaningful difference in the life of every patient who comes through our doors. 

Paul Morrissey, MD 

Professor of Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University 

Director, Division of Organ Transplantation, Rhode Island Hospital