The team at the Kidney Transplant Program at Albert Einstein Medical Center are committed to educating and supporting every
patient and family through this process. For some patients, the relationship with Einstein staff starts years before they
undergo a kidney transplant. And, the relationship continues long after the transplant.
Our Team Approach
When a patient comes to Einstein’s Kidney Transplant Program they are under the care of an entire team of skilled specialists
who are there to educate and guide them. Patients get to know the entire transplant team, and trusting relationships are formed.
The team works in close collaboration and meets weekly to discuss test results and decide on candidate selection for the transplant
waiting list. These weekly meetings help ensure that the absolute best match is made between recipient and donor.
The transplant coordinators (registered nurses or nurse practitioners) play a major role in the patient’s care and serve as
their “point person.” The coordinators are available 24 hours a day/ seven days a week to answer emergency questions. They
serve as liaisons among patients, referring physicians, and the Einstein transplant team. Through their dedication and commitment,
patients and their family members experience continuity of care starting at the time of admission into the program, through
long-term follow-up after the transplant.
To schedule an appointment with a doctor, or to search for an Einstein physician, visit our
Physician Finder or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
Nephrologists
Nephrologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease and hypertension. Transplant nephrologists
specialize in taking care of patients before and after transplantation.
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Eric J. Bloom, MD
Chairman, Division of Nephrology, Albert Einstein Medical Center
Dr. Bloom is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He specializes in treating patients before and after kidney
transplantation. Dr. Bloom serves as Program Director of the Nephrology Fellowship Program in the Division of Nephrology at
Albert Einstein Medical Center. He also serves as Medical Director of Einstein's Home Dialysis Program. Dr. Bloom has a special
interest in management of fluid, acid base and electrolyte abnormalities.
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Imara R. Dissanayake, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Nephrology, Albert Einstein Medial Center
Dr. Dissanayake has a special interest in diabetes and hypertension and how these diseases affect the kidneys. She has conducted
research on bone loss resulting from the use of immunosuppressant medications following kidney transplantation.
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Kosunarty Fa, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Nephrology, Albert Einstein Medical Center
Dr Fa is board-certified in internal medicine. She has a special interest in post-transplant diabetes mellitus.
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Stephen J. Goldstein, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Nephrology, Albert Einstein Medical Center
Dr. Goldstein is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. Dr. Goldstein has a special interest in chronic renal
failure and the effects of hypertension and diabetes on the kidneys.
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Rasib M. Raja, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Nephrology, Albert Einstein Medical Center
Dr. Raja is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He specializes in treating patients before and after kidney
transplantation. Dr. Raja helped develop the kidney-pancreas transplant program at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He has
a special interest in the effects of hypertension on the kidneys.
Transplant Surgeon
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Radi F. Zaki, MD
Section Chief, Division of Transplantation, Section of Kidney and Pancreas Transplant, Albert Einstein Medical Center
Dr. Zaki is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in kidney transplantation, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and vascular
access grafts. Dr. Zaki came to Albert Einstein Medical Center from the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Transplant Program in
New York City. He completed his transplant surgery fellowship at Albert Einstein Medical Center.
Psychology
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Kevin C. Hails, MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. Hails is a board-certified psychiatrist who serves as the consulting psychiatrist for the Einstein Transplant Team. He
performs psycho-social evaluations on some patients to ensure that they are in good psychological health to undergo a transplant,
and to provide support as needed.
Transplant Coordinators
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Catherine Morrison, MSN, CRNP
Nurse Practitioner/Transplant Coordinator
Cathy is a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator. She is a long-time veteran of Albert Einstein Medical Center, having
devoted her 24-year career as a transplant coordinator. Cathy's greatest pleasure on her job is notifying patients when an
organ is available. Here's what Cathy has to say about her job: “After a patient has had a transplant, it's very rewarding
to see them gain energy and return to a normal life -- working, traveling and resuming hobbies. I always ask our patients
if they feel better than they did prior to transplant. Invariably, the answer is a resounding yes. I also enjoy developing
relationships with patients, and it's gratifying to teach them about the transplant process and follow their progress.” Cathy
is a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association.
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Christine Reif, BSN
Transplant Coordinator
Christine has been a nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center for 13 years, having joined the transplant team in 2002 as a
transplant coordinator. Here's what Christine has to say about her job: “I absolutely love what I do. I truly feel I can make
a difference in these patients' lives. I get to meet with them in their pre-transplant phase and assist them in achieving
their goal of getting on the waiting list and having a transplant. The best phone calls in the world are the ones I get to
make to patients telling them that their name came to the top of the waiting list. I also get to see patients in the post-transplant
phase, and observe the positive changes in their life. What a difference the transplant makes! I love working with the transplant
population and am rewarded daily.”
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Deborah Steffler, BSN
Transplant Coordinator
Deborah has been a nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center for 12 years and a transplant coordinator for the past six. Here's
what Deborah has to say about her job: “The best part of my job is when I get to call a patient at home and tell them we have
a kidney or pancreas for them. You can hear the excitement in their voice. They are so thankful and happy. It's a great feeling.”
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Catherine Zaccario, BSN
Transplant Nurse
Catherine has been a nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center for 18 years and a transplant nurse for the past three. Here's
what Catherine has to say about her job: “One of the most rewarding aspects of transplant nursing is seeing patients get renewed
quality of life. After transplant, patients feel so much better when they no longer have to have dialysis. They're finally
able to enjoy their life.”
Clinical Pharmacist
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Rohit Moghe, PharmD
Dr Moghe is the Transplant Program Pharmacist. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree as well as a Doctor of Pharmacy
degree. Dr. Moghe has been with Albert Einstein Medical Center since 2000, having joined the transplant team in 2002. Here
are some of Dr. Moghe's thoughts in his own words: “The most important aspect of care after a patient receives an organ transplant
is understanding the crucial role the many medications and complex regimens play in their life. Some medications suppress
the immune system, some treat other diseases (e.g., diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure), and some prevent other conditions
from arising. I like to work with patients and help them understand what the medications do, the importance of adhering to
the schedule, and consequences of not doing so. In the end, the patient is his or her own ‘doctor.’ I enjoy seeing our patients
have a positive outlook on life after their transplant, and I believe that a positive outlook helps create a long life.”
Social Worker
The role of the transplant social worker is to provide social and emotional support to kidney transplant patients, living
donors and family members. The social worker meets with potential living donors during the recipient's initial evaluation
session. She is available to meet with kidney transplant patients and their families if they need advice or support at any
point during the evaluation process, the waiting period or after the transplant.
The social worker performs a mental health evaluation to make sure the recipient has the coping skills to handle the stress
involved with preparing for a transplant, and the operation itself. If a living donor is involved, the donor will also be
evaluated. To help ensure that patients avail themselves of all the resources Einstein's Transplant Program has to offer,
the social worker coordinates services with dialysis social workers, the transplant financial coordinator and other members
of the Kidney Transplant Team. Undergoing a transplant is a very stressful event, so the social worker serves as an ongoing
resource to answer questions, address concerns and offer advice.
Social workers at Einstein initiated a Buddy Program, which involves matching patients on the waiting list with a “
buddy”– someone who has already undergone a kidney transplant and can offer support and reassurance. For information about the
Buddy Program, call 215-456-6933.
Tissue Typing
The Department of Immunology has tissue typers -- technologists that specialize in transplant immunology. A key responsibility
of the tissue typers is to screen blood for the presence of antibodies from donors. The tissue typers perform a cross-match
to see if there are antibodies against the donor. It is through the tissue typing process, that the best recipient for a donor
organ is identified.
Robert McAlack, PhD
Director of the Transplant Immunology Laboratory, Albert Einstein Medical Center
Tissue Typers
Other
LaVinia Pitts
Financial Coordinator
LaVinia is the Kidney Transplant Program's financial counselor. Her role is to help patients with billing and insurance matters.
She obtains pre-authorization for transplant surgery and transplant-related procedures. LaVinia is an advocate for patients
and their families to help them navigate through the complex insurance process. She works with private insurance carriers
as well as Medicare and Medicaid. LaVinia also researches alternative resources as potential sources to pay for the cost of
medication. Here's what LaVinia says about her job: “The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients recover and the
joy they have in being given a chance to lead a more viable life.”
Renee D. Simmons
Transplant Care Facilitator
Renee has been with Albert Einstein Medical Center for twenty years. Here's what Renee says about her job: “What I enjoy most
about working with transplant patients is the continuity of care and support we provide patients throughout the process. I
like the opportunity to educate and be educated by our patients who come from many different ethnic, religious and secular
backgrounds. Our patients help me remain consistent in my approach and continue to practice the 5 P's (Proper Planning Prevents
Poor Performance). This is the yardstick and standard of care which I live by.”
Laura C. Hutson, CLT
Phlebotomist
Laura has been with Albert Einstein Medical Center for 13 years. She came to kidney transplant after working for many years
as a Blood Bank Technician. Here's what Laura says about her job: “I enjoy seeing patients progress from dialysis to transplant,
and watching them get stronger and return to their pre-dialysis lifestyle.” Laura is a member of the American Society of Clinical
Pathologists (ASCP) and International Society of Clinical Laboratory Technicians (ISCLT).
Annette Colon
Medical Secretary
Annette joined Albert Einstein Medical Center in the Transplant Department in 2000. Here's what Annette says in her own words:
“The most rewarding part of my job is when a patient is able to receive a transplant. I love the smile on their face when
they have another chance at life. They are so grateful to know that the transplant staff has helped them through this transition.”
