Pancreas transplantation is usually performed in patients with insulin dependent diabetes (Type 1 diabetes). Type 1 diabetics have high blood sugar because they do not produce enough insulin. At the present time, the only proven method to achieve optimal glucose control is whole organ pancreas transplant. Most pancreas transplant candidates already exhibit kidney disease and therefore need a pancreas and kidney transplant.

Patients are referred to the Pancreas Transplant Center at Albert Einstein Medical Center by their physician. When patients are referred to Einstein, they are teamed up with a nurse coordinator at their first visit who will educate and guide them through the entire process. The nurse coordinator is available to answer questions and offer support. At the first visit, the prospective recipient also meets with his or her entire transplant team – a transplant surgeon, a nephrologist (if the patient has kidney disease), a social worker and a financial counselor.

The nurse coordinator schedules a variety of medical tests, such as tissue typing, blood tests, blood screenings and other studies if needed. After each patient undergoes a thorough medical evaluation, a team of doctors, transplant surgeons, a social worker and a nurse coordinator meet and evaluate medical and psychological issues. This enables the team to determine if a pancreas transplant is appropriate for the patient. Since undergoing a transplant is stressful, at each step along the way the Einstein team encourages family involvement and support.