In order to address disparities in living donor kidney transplantation in Hispanics, researchers at Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Hispanic Transplant Program, and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI), have collaborated to produce the Living Kidney Donation for Hispanics/Latinos for the Hispanic community.

 

Northwestern University is a private institution founded in 1851. Northwestern University supports research by promoting collaborative research partnerships that improve the health of diverse populations including Hispanics/Latinos. 

 

The Hispanic Transplant Program (HTP) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Comprehensive Transplant Center is the only program in the country to provide education and care entirely in Spanish that is sensitive to the cultural values, beliefs, and informational needs of Hispanic kidney transplant candidates and potential living kidney donors. Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s transplant surgeon, Dr. Juan Carlos Caicedo, pioneered and currently directs the Hispanic Transplant Program, addressing Hispanics’ health information needs.  

 

The National Kidney of Illinois (NKFI) improves the health and well being of people at risk for and affected by kidney disease through prevention, education and empowerment.  The NKFI educates and serves individuals in the early stages of kidney disease, dialysis patients, and transplant recipients through public education and outreach programs throughout the state of Illinois. The NKFI also collaborates with Hispanic community organizations and leaders to provide much-needed education to Hispanics/Latinos about their increased risk for kidney disease. The NKFI’s signature community program, the KidneyMobile®, travels to many predominantly Hispanic/Latino communities to provide free health screenings for kidney disease and its two leading causes: diabetes and high blood pressure. 

 

 

Last Updated: 7/10/2015