Transplant Center at Rhode Island Hospital

 The Transplant Center at Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) has been delivering health with care since 1997. We have served our community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts for over 26 years, and our focus remains exclusively on kidney donations and transplants. We are the only facility of its kind in Rhode Island, and our transplant rate and outcomes rank among the best in New England. 

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, which increased organ access and availability, and remains on the forefront of groundbreaking research. We performed the first live donor kidney exchange in the United States. We have been on the forefront in the adoption of more effective immunosuppressive agents that improve transplant success, reduces the likelihood of rejection, and enhances quality of life. Once a kidney is transplanted, it has a finite life. Extending the function and survival of transplanted kidneys is a key area of research at Rhode Island Hospital from the time of surgery through long-term follow-up in our clinics. 

In addition to our skilled and experienced team of transplant surgeons, the Transplant Center at RIH has organized a comprehensive 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. All facets of care for a successful kidney transplant are provided through the Transplant Center. 

To highlight the importance of the Transplant Center at RIH and the vital resource it is in this community, we highlight key metrics below.

· 1534 total transplants performed at the center (as of December 31, 2022)

· 276 number of patients on the waiting list (as of December 31, 2022)

· 5 to 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. 

Beyond our medical and surgical care for patients with chronic kidney disease, we work to improve upon the standard of care in kidney transplantation. The Transplant Fund was established in 2001 to specifically support the transplant program at RIH and go towards all aspects of care including patient assistance while undergoing surgery or treatment. The Transplant Fund is instrumental in helping offset costs for patients and families and supporting the entire transplant program. The Ultimate Gift Fund was established in 2004 by Dr. Anthony Monaco and several generous donors, ensures support for transplant research.

In closing, thank you again for being part of our family at Rhode Island Hospital’s Transplant Center! We hope you will consider making a gift in support of our work and we assure you that it will make a meaningful difference in the life of every patient who comes through our doors.

Paul E. Morrissey, MD, FACS 

Professor of Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University 

Director, Division of Organ Transplantation, Rhode Island Hospital