The Washington University Division of Nephrology, part of the Department of Medicine, has consistently been at the forefront of advancements in renal care, transplantation and nephrology research since it was founded in 1956. It is a recognized leader in both adult and pediatric nephrology and is consistently named as one of the best renal programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Our team offers a full array of patient care services, including comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and home dialysis options as well as kidney and kidney/pancreas transplants. We offer specialized multidisciplinary clinics for the diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and a wide variety of glomerular diseases, such as Alport syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and lupus nephritis.

Research within the division has contributed to advances in the basic understanding of renal diseases as well as in the identification and establishment of better care practices that have led to better patient outcomes.

Key division accomplishments

  • One of the largest and oldest dialysis programs in the United States, first offering hemodialysis in 1968.
  • Largest home dialysis program in the Midwest and pioneer in the use of iPad technology for remote monitoring of patient treatment data.
  • Pioneer in nocturnal hemodialysis and in single-needle dialysis.
  • One of the most experienced transplant teams in the country, with the first kidney transplant performed in 1963 and the first pediatric kidney transplant performed in 1964. The team is nationally recognized for low rejection rates and excellent patient outcomes.
  • One of the first three centers in the country to offer chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in 1979.
  • World’s first program to perform an islet of Langerhans transplant to achieve insulin independence in 1990.
  • Development of an NIH-funded Kidney Translational Research Core (KTRC) in 1997 that supports the investigation of major kidney and urological diseases through a centralized biorepository which now assists researchers worldwide.
  • Founder of the Midwest Transplant Symposium focused on sharing the latest advancements in kidney and pancreas transplantation.

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