Transplant Services at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center

Best-in-class Transplant Program

At Wellstar MCG Health, we provide a full spectrum Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program designed to meet the diverse needs of our patients and organ donors. Our transplant program offers comprehensive care, from initial patient assessment to transplant surgery and post-operative care.

Our services extend to those looking to become transplant recipients, offering specialized support and resources throughout the entire process. We prioritize timely and efficient transplant surgeries involving living or deceased donors to maximize patient outcomes. Our living kidney donor program also ensures donors a safe and supportive experience.

Renowned transplant team

Our multidisciplinary teams, consisting of highly skilled professionals, including nephrologists, transplant surgeons, nurses, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, living donor advocates and other specialists, ensure that adult and pediatric patients receive exceptional care tailored to their unique medical needs.

Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Program

We offer a comprehensive Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, which includes end-stage renal failure management, patient assessment and care, transplant surgery and donor services.

Our transplant center brings together multidisciplinary teams who manage the individual needs of patients with end-stage renal failure who require kidney (or kidney/pancreas) transplants.

Why kidney transplant patients choose us:

Excellent outcomes: Our transplant program offers patients quality care and excellent outcomes.
Multidisciplinary team approach: Our team manages every aspect of your transplant care, engaging other specialists as needed.
Dual kidney transplants: Also known as two-for-ones, dual transplants use both kidneys from one deceased donor. This can reduce waiting time for those who might otherwise wait many years for an offer.
Easy navigation: Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta is easy to get to, and we do most testing right in our transplant center. We also have satellite clinics outside of Augusta.
Use of outside records: When possible, we can share or use testing from other transplant centers.
Increased volumes: We continue to see our number of transplant patients grow as we receive donor organs from all over the southeastern United States.

Become a Donor

Living Kidney Donor Program

At Wellstar MCG Health, we are dedicated to making the living kidney donation process as convenient and safe as possible. Our program supports donors every step of the way, ensuring you receive the highest level of care and guidance throughout your journey.

Become a kidney donor

When you become a living donor, you give another person a second chance at life. Without your generosity and selflessness, many people who need an organ transplant would not have this opportunity.

Find out more about living donation from the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Donor Screening Form

Safe, convenient organ donation

We take great care when evaluating you as a potential donor. We aim to ensure you are a good candidate and can resume a normal, healthy lifestyle after your donation.

There is no cost for our team to evaluate you as a living donor.
The cost of your donation surgery, hospital stay and follow-up visits is covered.
You can complete some testing without coming to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center.

Donor advocates

We will pair you with an independent living donor advocate. These specialists function separately from the transplant team and represent a potential or living donor to ensure we meet their needs.

Not a match? You can still donate.

Paired kidney donation is an option for patients who have a willing living donor with an incompatible kidney. We work with other organizations to create paired donor/recipient chains to find a match.

Donor evaluation process

We generally complete the living kidney donor evaluation process in four steps. Potential living donors may opt out of the donation any time and for any reason. Their decision remains confidential.

Step 1: Compatibility testing

You can complete this step without visiting Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. The tests include antigen matching, blood typing and tissue compatibility.

Step 2: General health screening

You can complete this step without coming to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. These screenings include blood and urine tests to evaluate your kidney function and overall health. We may require additional tests based on the review of your medical records.

Step 3: Additional work-up

The third part of the screening process includes imaging tests and consultations with the transplant team. This step ensures you are fully prepared and healthy enough for donation. The process includes multiple tests, including chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG) of the heart and a CT scan, as well as additional tests as needed and visits with the transplant team.

Step 4: Donor conference

We hold a multidisciplinary meeting called a Donor Conference to determine your eligibility as a donor.

Become a Donor

Helpful Information

Preparing for Your Transplant

Our team provides expert kidney and pancreas transplant care for pediatric and adult patients and is dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for all. At Wellstar MCG Health, adult transplant patients benefit from our multidisciplinary team guiding them through every step of their transplant journey while our youngest patients receive specialized attention tailored to their unique needs at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

We are committed to finding the best transplant solutions for each patient, whether through living or deceased donors. Our team works carefully to match patients with the most compatible donors as quickly as possible, ensuring timely and effective care. To learn more about our transplant services and how we can help you or your loved one, please contact us for more information at (706) 721-2888. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.

What you can expect before your transplant

Your nephrologist (or dialysis center) will send a referral for your kidney transplant to our transplant center. We will then contact you, ask several questions about your medical history and schedule your transplant evaluation.

Step 1: Your transplant evaluation

During your first visit, you will receive educational material explaining the transplant evaluation process, surgical procedure and the risks and benefits of receiving a new kidney and/or pancreas. We will also explain the requirements for maintaining a healthy organ. You will then complete initial lab testing, radiology and cardiology testing and meet members of your multidisciplinary transplant team.

Circular wheel depicts YOU at the center of a number of services to assist you in the transplant process

Step 2: Complete additional testing

Your transplant coordinator will help schedule any additional testing needed to ensure you are healthy enough to receive a transplant. This testing can include a health screening and specialized testing.

Step 3: Determination of candidacy

The team will meet to decide if you are an eligible transplant candidate. They may also request additional testing.

Step 4: Prepare for transplant

We will add you to the national Deceased Donor Transplant list. While waiting for your transplant, you have specific responsibilities:

Continue your work-up for a living donor transplant if you have a living donor.
Ensure you have a support person and plan for transportation to the hospital.
Maintain contact with your transplant coordinator and notify us of any changes in your health, insurance or contact information.
Remain current with health maintenance testing.

Being prepared for your transplant is essential to ensure the best outcomes and a smooth process.

Transplant Surgery

Living donor transplant

Having a kidney from a living donor allows you to get your transplant quicker than if you wait on a deceased donor list. Some things to know:

The recipient and donor are admitted to the hospital on the morning of surgery.
The recipient and donor will complete pre-operative testing at the hospital a few days before the surgery. This includes any final testing to ensure both patients are healthy enough for surgery and that the donor organ is compatible with the recipient.
We schedule living donor transplant surgeries around the recipient’s and donor’s availability.

Deceased donor transplant

Patients active on the national waiting list should be ready to receive a call about their transplant at any time. It is vitally important that you are reachable by phone any time of day.

When a kidney becomes available, you will receive a call from one of our transplant coordinators. The transplant coordinator will discuss the details of the organ offer with you and ask several questions about your recent health history.
If you choose to accept the organ and (based on available information) the transplant team deems the organ a suitable match, then:

The transplant coordinator will give you and your support person enough time to travel safely to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center.
We will admit you to the transplant floor for final testing and possible surgery.

Before surgery, our physicians will perform several tests to ensure you are healthy enough to receive the transplant and confirm the organ is compatible with you.

If we find any concerns about your health or if the crossmatch shows you are not compatible with the donor, we will send you home.
If your testing is acceptable to the surgeon and your crossmatch shows compatibility with the donor, we will take you into surgery.

Your organ transplant surgery

Kidney transplant surgery takes approximately four hours. A surgeon will surgically attach the donated kidney in the front of your body, near your pelvis and bladder. They do not detach your native kidneys (the ones you have now).

Ideally, the donated kidney will begin working immediately in the operating room and produce urine once your body establishes blood flow. Sometimes, the kidney may experience slow or delayed graft function and take some time to work as expected.

Kidney recipients usually stay in the hospital for four to five days. Patients are generally up and moving on the day of surgery.

Surgeons place a stent between the kidney and bladder to ensure the transplanted ureter (duct) is properly healing. Our physicians can remove the stent without surgery about four weeks after your transplant.

Post-Transplant Education Materials

After Organ Transplant

Initially, the transplant team at Wellstar MCG Health will monitor your progress with follow-up visits. After a few months, you can be seen by a healthcare professional in one of our satellite clinics, making it easier to see your primary nephrologist and receive your follow-up care closer to home.

Your post-transplant team includes dedicated professionals committed to your care and recovery. The team consists of a clinic scheduler to coordinate your appointments and dietitians who provide nutritional guidance. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants assist with your medical needs. Pharmacists manage your medications while post-transplant coordinators oversee your follow-up care. Social workers offer emotional and practical support, and transplant nephrologists monitor your kidney function and overall health.

Together, your post-transplant team ensures you receive complete care throughout your recovery journey.

Patient Resources

Learn about transplantation, organ allocation and outcomes.

Learn about available financial assistance resources.

Learn about living kidney paired donation.

For Referring Physicians and Dialysis Centers

Pre-transplant patients

Submit referrals by fax to (706) 721-6271 or via Transplant Referral Exchange (TREX). Please include the following documents and information necessary for timely, accurate processing of patient referrals:

Copy of the patient’s driver’s license or state-issued ID
Copy of the front and back of the patient’s insurance card(s)
Form 2728, if the patient is on dialysis
Health history and physical exam results from the last 12 months
List of recent medications
Transplant Referral Form

Our staff will inform you about your patient’s progress throughout the transplant evaluation process. We also mail patient status reports to referring physicians and dialysis facilities quarterly.

Who can be referred for transplant?

Individuals are considered for a kidney transplant if they:

Are free from substance dependence (alcohol and illicit drugs)
Are progressing toward end-stage renal disease
Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or lower. Calculate your BMI.
Have adequate psychosocial support and reliable transportation
Want to learn more about kidney or pancreas transplants

Who is not considered a candidate for surgery?

Individuals not considered for a kidney transplant include those with:

Absence of adequate psychosocial support
Active substance abuse
BMI greater than 40
Cirrhosis
Non-compliance with dialysis regimen
Non-compliance with nephrologist orders
Lack of telephone service
Lack of transportation
Severe psychiatric conditions rendering an inability to comply
Significant and irreversible cardiovascular disease

Who can be considered a candidate for surgery, but it may not be advisable?

Certain conditions may make surgery inadvisable for some candidates, including:

Age greater than 70
Non-healing wounds
Presence of malignancy
Severe cardiovascular disease
Severe pulmonary disease

Post-transplant patients

Submit post-transplant patient referrals by fax to (706) 721-3616. Please include the following documents and information necessary for timely and accurate scheduling.

Copy of the front and back of the patient’s insurance card(s)
Copy of the patient’s driver’s license or state-issued ID
Lab test results
Most recent office note
Post-Transplant Referral Form
Surgery records