For being so tiny, a child's kidneys are mighty organs. They are responsible for removing wastes and excess water from the blood; regulating blood pressure, sodium, and potassium levels; and making hormones responsible for growth and red blood cells. Conditions such as birth defects and other hereditary diseases can cause the kidneys to stop working.

Transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. But often, a child must be on dialysis, a man-made method of filtering the blood, until a compatible donor becomes available. Now, with on-site pediatric dialysis (established March 2005) and the addition of a pediatric transplant surgeon (July 2005), Driscoll Children's Hospital offers a full circle of care for infants and children with end-stage renal disease.

Driscoll Children's Hospital's Transplant Team

Driscoll Children's Renal Transplant Team

For being so tiny, a child's kidneys are mighty organs. They are responsible for removing wastes and excess water from the blood; regulating blood pressure, sodium, and potassium levels; and making hormones responsible for growth and red blood cells. Conditions such as birth defects and other hereditary diseases can cause the kidneys to stop working. Transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. But often, a child must be on dialysis, a man-made method of filtering the blood, until a compatible donor becomes available. Now, with on-site pediatric dialysis (established March 2005) and the addition of a pediatric transplant surgeon (July 2005), Driscoll Children's Hospital offers a full circle of care for infants and children with end-stage renal disease.

Pediatric Transplant Success Stories:

Each year, more than 4,000 Texans wait for available donor kidneys, about 10% of those are children. With Driscoll's new Renal Transplant Program offering comprehensive, state-of-the-art, pediatric kidney care in South Texas, children with end-stage-renal disease will be able to receive care closer to home.

Children and their families will benefit from specialized care provided by an experienced team led by pediatric transplant surgeons and pediatric nephrologists (kidney doctors), recognized as some of the best in South Texas. In addition, pediatric sub-specialists, nurses, dieticians, social workers, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals round out the team - all specially trained in working exclusively with children. Driscoll's staff will assist, counsel, and educate families through dialysis, pre- and post-operative requirements, and dietary changes so that they may successfully manage their child's health and emotional needs.

Driscoll's Children's Hospital's Kidney Transplant Program and Kidney Center staff is dedicated to improving the quality of life of children who need dialysis until they are able to receive a transplant. From diagnosis and pre-transplant testing and counseling to transplant surgery and recovery . Driscoll will care for young patients while living with their donor kidney well into adulthood.

Driscoll Children's Hospital's Transplant Physicians

Stephen Almond, MD, Pediatric Transplant Surgeon

Stephen Almond, MD
Pediatric Transplant Surgeon

  • Bachelor of Science: University of Florida, 1984
  • Medical School: University of Florida, 1987
  • Post graduate training: Louisiana State Medical Center and Charity Hospitals 1987-1989;
  • Medical Fellowship: Department of Surgery's Immunobiology Research Laboratory, University of Minnesota Hospital, 1989-1992;
  • Residency, Surgery, University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics, 1992-1995;
  • Fellowship, Pediatric Surgery, University of Chicago, 1995-1997;
  • Fellowship, Transplantation, Northwestern University, 1997-1999;

Performs minimally invasive surgery (thorocoscopic pectus, spine exposure, resection of lung and mediastinal masses, excavatum repair), cancer surgery, hernias, undescended testes, neonatal surgery, prenatal counseling, thoracic(chest) surgery, neck masses, and emergency consultations.

William R. Allen, MD, FAAP

William R. Allen, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Nephrologist

  • Texas A&M University, PreMed
  • M.D. University of Mississippi School of Medicine
  • Internship Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver, CO
  • Residency Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver, CO
  • Fellow Pediatric Nephrology & Diabetes, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX

Samhar I. Al-Akash, M.D.

Samhar I. Al-Akash, M.D.
Pediatric Nephrologist

  • Medical School: University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine
  • Fellowship: UCLA School of Medicine - Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA
  • Residency: Children's Hospital of Michigan/Detroit
  • Medical Center - Wayne State University
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics

Salam I. Gharaybeh, M.D.

Salam I. Gharaybeh, M.D.
Pediatric Nephrologist

  • Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology Faculty of Medicine
  • Fellowship: UCLA School of Medicine - Mattel Children's Hospital
  • Residency: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Children's Hospital of New Jersey
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics

The Kidneys

To learn more about the intricate process of kidney transplantation, it is important to first learn about the kidneys and their components. Listed in the directory below you will find additional information regarding the anatomy of the urinary system and kidney transplantation, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Transplantation Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.

Anatomy and Function of the Urinary System

Kidney Transplantation

Topic Home Page - Topic Index

 

Contact Information

For appointments, assistance, and physician referrals in:
Corpus Christi: (361) 694-4700 or (800) DCH-LOVE

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Click here for United Network for Organ Sharing United Network for Organ Sharing

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network OPTN

Southwest Transplant Alliance

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Site Index

Anatomy of the Urinary System

Overview of Genitourinary Disorders

Male Conditions

Ambiguous Genitalia

Urinary Incontinence (Enuresis)

Exstrophy of the Bladder and Epispadias

Glomerulonephritis

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Horseshoe Kidney

Megaureter

Nephrotic Syndrome

Neurogenic Bladder

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Prune Belly Syndrome

Ureterocele and Ureteral Duplication

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)

Renal Failure

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First Annual Pediatric Transplant Symposium