Kidney transplantation allows people with end-stage kidney failure to prolong life and avoid or eliminate the need for dialysis. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease with 20 percent or less function should be referred for a kidney transplant evaluation.
Penn's first live kidney transplant was performed in 1966 between two brothers. Today our surgeons perform over 225 kidney transplants every year, making Penn's kidney transplant program the largest and most experienced kidney transplant program in the region.
Additionally, our program has been awarded a prestigious Silver Level Award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for our outstanding outcomes.
The Benefits of Choosing Penn for Kidney Transplant
Patients who choose Penn for their kidney transplant have access to the most advanced care available.
You benefit from:
- A living kidney donor program, offering an excellent alternative to a long waiting time for a kidney
- The most experienced physicians in the country who have performed more than 5,500 kidney transplants
- The most progressive treatment available, as Penn supports research programs that are at the forefront of new developments in kidney transplantation
- A kidney transplant program that offers patients total integration of care from pre-surgery management, through the kidney transplant surgery and postoperative care
Hospitality
Beyond excellent medical care, we offer kidney transplant patients and their families the highest level of hospitality, including the Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House, a beautiful, modern guest house providing accommodation for patients, their families and caregivers.
Kidney Transplant Program Locations
The kidney transplant program is located at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Evaluations for kidney transplant are also offered at Penn Medicine Bucks County, Penn Medicine Cherry Hill, Lancaster General Health and Princeton Health.
View all of our kidney transplant locations
Pediatric Transplant Care
Pediatric patients benefit from a joint program between the Penn Transplant Institute and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) allowing late adolescent patients to transition their care to an adult facility. Additional partnership exists for healthy adult relatives to donate their kidney to a child.
Submit a Referral
To be considered for evaluation for a kidney transplant at Penn Medicine, you or your provider must first submit your referral through our secure referral portal. If you meet the requirements, you will be scheduled to be evaluated by our kidney transplant team. Your kidney transplant evaluation visit takes about a day. While you’re with us, your transplant team performs medical tests and gives you a complete overview of the transplant process.