Transplant Surgeons Urge Early Evaluation: Kidney Patients Can Be Listed With UNOS Before Dialysis

Las Palmos Surgeon Explains kidney transplant Pathway And Candidacy At Medical Center

USA: At Las Palmos Medical Center, transplant surgeon Dr. Jennifer George outlined how kidney transplantation is offered to people with end-stage renal disease and those with late-stage chronic kidney disease, noting patients do not need to be on dialysis to be evaluated and that earlier referral often yields better outcomes.

The center accepts referrals from treating physicians and allows patients to self-refer via the hospital’s online portal. The evaluation process includes laboratory testing, cardiac assessment and diagnostic imaging, followed by multidisciplinary clinic visits with nephrologists, surgeons and transplant coordinators to determine candidacy for transplant.

Once a candidate has successfully completed medical and surgical screening at Las Palmos, the program can list the patient on the national UNOS kidney transplant waiting list and coordinate next steps in transplantation. Dr. George emphasized that the pathway is designed to optimize medical fitness for transplant and to streamline testing so eligible patients can move onto the list without unnecessary delay.

Las Palmos Healthcare maintains online resources and a transplant team to guide prospective transplant patients through referral, evaluation and listing. The hospital has been promoting these resources in community education efforts, encouraging clinicians and patients to start the transplant conversation early.

Video originally published on 2026-03-19 18:08:41