0The UPMC Kidney Transplant Program at UPMC Harrisburg Awarded Optum Center of Excellence for Kidney Transplantation

The Kidney Transplant Program at UPMC Harrisburg recently qualified as a Center of Excellence for kidney transplantation with Optum, as part of their credentialed Centers of Excellence transplant network. Each year, Optum conducts a thorough evaluation process of medical centers throughout the country. Optum invites only the most experienced and statistically successful health care providers to be part of their COE networks. Their success correlates with high volumes and deep levels of provider experience and specialization.

“We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Optum as a Center of Excellence in their network,” says Kim Barnett, MSN, MBA-HC, RN, CCTC, program administrator of the UPMC Kidney Transplant Program at UPMC Harrisburg. “Providing patients in our community with access to high quality transplant care is one of our missions and this recent Optum designation allows us to fulfill that goal.”

UPMC directly partners with transplant case managers to enhance patient care. Our partnership with case managers is key to helping patients and their families navigate the transplant process. We strive to provide a seamless referral process, on-going education, and transplant resources for case managers to share with patients, including education about living donor transplantation, resources for finding a living donor, and multi-listing at more than one center.

People with kidney disease or kidney failure have hope at UPMC. At UPMC, we provide transplant options to all patients who will benefit. Our skilled team of kidney transplant surgeons take on some of the most complex cases. We take pride in keeping the lines of communication open with patients, families, and referring physicians regarding status procedures, treatments, and follow-up care. Although transplantation is a complex, serious procedure, we maintain a personal, patient-focused approach that takes into consideration the stress and concerns many individuals experience.

To learn more, or to refer a patient at UPMC Harrisburg, email transplanthbg@upmc.edu or call 717-231-8700.