Karim Soliman, MD, MSc, PhD, FASN, FNKF, Appointed Medical Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplant at UPMC Presbyterian
July 2, 2025
UPMC is proud to welcome Karim Soliman, MD, MSc, PhD, FASN, FNKF, who serves as medical director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Programs at UPMC Presbyterian at as of July 2025. Dr. Soliman is an internationally renowned transplant nephrologist, academic leader, and clinician-educator with a distinguished career in clinical research, medical education, and improving patient outcomes. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, numerous editorial leadership roles, and decades of experience in research, teaching, and patient care, he brings a patient-centered vision to UPMC’s transplant mission.
Clinical, Research, and Academic Expertise
Most recently, Dr. Soliman served as an associate professor of medicine and surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C., where he held several key leadership roles, including medical director of the living kidney donor program and later the medical director of clinic operations. Simultaneously, he served as the program and medical director of the kidney transplant program at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, S.C., where he successfully led the program through UNOS accreditation.
A recognized leader in living kidney donor advocacy and transplant innovation, Dr. Soliman has contributed to national guidelines on donor selection, including pioneering work for the acceptance of living kidney donors with pre-existing diabetes mellitus. He has served as the principal site investigator for several multicenter trials focused on immunosuppression, outcomes in transplant recipients, living donor safety, and biomarker surveillance in kidney grafts. Dr. Soliman has presented oral and plenary sessions at multiple and major conferences, including the American Transplant Congress. He has received multiple teaching awards throughout his career and continues to shape the future of transplant nephrology through mentorship, clinical research, and policy development.
A passionate educator, Dr. Soliman has authored innovative, structured board review courses for nephrology trainees, combining written and visual tools to reinforce clinical reasoning and exam readiness. He has also developed patient-facing educational materials and transplant handbooks that have been used in clinical education for trainees, nurses, and coordinators.
Dr. Soliman received his medical degree from Cairo University in Giza, Egypt, where he completed an internal medicine residency, followed by a nephrology and transplant fellowship. He was a research scholar in nephrology and transplant at the University of Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y., and completed a nephrology fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C. Dr. Soliman is a member of several professional societies, including the National Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology, and American Society of Transplantation.
Dr. Soliman’s appointment reinforces UPMC’s position as a premier destination for kidney and pancreas transplantation, advancing its commitment to delivering innovative, equitable, and compassionate transplant care throughout the state of Pennsylvania and beyond.
Comprehensive Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Care at UPMC
Dr. Soliman will utilize his extensive experience to continue UPMC’s legacy of providing life-saving transplant care to patients with end-stage kidney disease and pancreatic diseases, including pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes. At UPMC, we offer multiple types of pancreas transplants, including:
- Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant.
- Pancreas-after-kidney (PAK) transplant.
- Pancreas transplant alone (PTA).
It is important that we start working with referring physicians and patients early in the disease progression. Early referral allows our team to become familiar with the patient and their specific needs before they face transplant. For patients who do require transplant, early referral allows us to address barriers and provide education about the transplant process to ensure they are an optimal candidate for kidney and/or pancreas transplant.
Our team also includes the referring physician. We will work with the referring physician and their team to ensure a seamless referral process and will collaborate with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that best fits the unique needs of your patient.
To refer a patient, or for more information, please call 412-647-5800 or email UPMCkidneyreferrals@upmc.edu.
