Patients who suffer from kidney failure or severe diabetic complications may be referred to the KMOTC for kidney, pancreas or both types of transplants. The KMOTC is widely known for treating complex cases, including patients referred from other transplant centers.

An affiliate of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the KMOTC is located in Buffalo General Hospital, a 501-bed tertiary hospital that anchors the region’s top clinical, research, and medical education institutions of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Our patients enjoy the benefit of a comprehensive, fully integrated array of services that are linked under the Kaleida Health umbrella. From early intervention and diagnosis to medical therapies, dialysis, surgery, long-term sub-acute care and support – patients with failing kidneys who come to the KMOTC are finding renewed hope for a better quality of life.

About The KMOTC

The first kidney transplant at Buffalo General Hospital was performed in 1964 when there were only six such centers in the nation. Today, our experts continue to lead the region in kidney and pancreas transplants with success rates that exceed the national average in both graft and patient survival.

As the largest transplant center of its kind in Western New York, we care for the most pre- and post-transplant patients and perform the most kidney and pancreas transplants in the region. More importantly, our outcomes are the best in the area (as reported by UNOS*, the governing body over all transplant centers).

Very few programs in the world, and none of our competitors in Western New York, can claim an equal clinical expertise or commitment to excellence in patient care. Our hospital stays have been shorter and there have been fewer complications, an exemplary track record that stems from exceptional care before, during and after transplantation.

*United Network for Organ Sharing: Organ Donation and Transplantation http://www.ustransplant.org/

Recognized For Excellence

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, affiliated with the University of Michigan, has ranked Kaleida Health as the top transplant program in the region, and one of the strongest in the nation.

• Multiorgan Transplant Center outperformed the national average for living donor kidney and pancreas transplantation three years survival rates by 12% and 17%, respectively.
• Living donor kidney transplant three years patient and graft survival rates were 100% as compared to the national rates that were reported to be 94% and 88%, respectively.
• 17% higher than national average pancreas transplant outcome. Three-year patient and graft survival rates were reported at 100% and 83%, respectively. This compares to the national rates of 91% and 66%, respectively.

About Organ Donation at the KMOTC

The KMOTC accepts kidneys for transplantation through three methods: living donation, altruistic donation and deceased donor donation.

Living donation

Typically, organs are provided by a living relative, spouse, or close friend who is at least 18 years of age and has a blood type that is compatible with the recipient's blood type. The donation is made out of love and the desire to improve the health of someone dear to them.

Altruistic donation

More recently, altruistic individuals have been approved as donors that have been inspired to donate via the media or Internet. These individuals must be willing to donate without anticipation of monetary, social or celebrity benefits and must demonstrate that the donation is made freely and without coercion.

Both living and altruistic donors must demonstrate adequate social support for their decision from family members, spouses, children or other persons that may have a significant role in their lives. They must be willing to undergo all medical and psychological pre-transplant evaluations and abide by the judgment of the medical and psychiatric staff regarding their suitability as donors. Donors must be free of significant medical, mental illnesses or drug/alcohol abuse that would prevent donation.

Deceased donor donation

These donors are adults or children who have already died as a result of an accidental injury or will not survive because of a critical injury.

If the donor is an adult, he or she may have agreed to be an organ donor before becoming ill. If no such arrangement has been made prior to death, parents or spouses can also agree to donate a relative's organs unless the deceased specifically noted a desire not to be a donor.

For more information, e-mail us at kidneydonor@kaleidahealth.org.

About Our Physicians

Our team of physicians is dedicated to providing patients with the most contemporary transplant strategies. Many have published extensively in both national and international journals and presented more than 100 papers at national and international meetings.

The KMOTC has been led by the expert team of Mark Laftavi, M.D., and Oleh Pankewycz, M.D., who have worked together for more than seven years. Together they provide more than 56 years of combined experience in transplantation.

Dr. Laftavi completed his training at the University of Minnesota; Rush University, Chicago and Mount Sinai Medical School, New York. He holds a diploma of Profound Study in Organ and Tissue Transplantation and specializes in microsurgery. Dr. Laftavi has performed more than 1200 kidney transplants and over 200 pancreas transplants.

Dr. Pankewycz trained at Columbia University, New York and Harvard University, Boston. He is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine and studies the genetics of transplantation, organ survival and rejection.

Mohamed Ibrahim, M.D., the newest member of our team, is an UNOS-accredited, full-time kidney, pancreas and liver transplant surgeon. Dr. Ibrahim trained in Japan in liver surgery and at the University of Virginia in kidney and pancreas transplantation. Most recently, Dr. Ibrahim was the chief of liver transplantation at Toledo University, Toledo, Ohio.

The KMOTC is also supported by Drs. Kohli, Min and Shridhar from the Buffalo Medical Group. Together they bring a vast degree of clinical expertise and experience to the practice of transplantation.

Meet Our Staff

The KMTC staff provides life-time follow up to donors and transplant recipients through a dedicated team of transplant coordinators that are involved in all aspects of patient care before and after transplantation.

Pharmacists, research coordinators, social workers, dieticians and financial coordinators also work with patients to help them achieve the best outcomes.

Karen Ammerman, Research Assistant
Laurie Campbell, Transplant Nurse Pratitioner
Melissa Danek, Transplant Pharmacist
Kim DePasquale, Administrative Secretary
Lisa Fagan, Transplant Coordinator
Lin Feng, Research
Hayley Guzowski, Transplant Coordinator
Barbara Heller, Administrative Secretary
Cheryl Kamholz, Transplant Financial Coordinator
Mark Laftavi, MD, Chief, Transplant Services
Charles Librera, Transplant Social Worker
Brenda Matthews, Transplant Coordinator
Robin McLaughlin, Transplant Coordinator
Fatima Mills, Certified Medical Assistant
Beth Neubauer, Transplant Dietician
Tim Oehmler, Transplant Manager
Oleh Pankewycz, MD, Administrative Chief, Medical Director
Karen Paolini, Transplant Coordinator
Valerie Sanders, Medical Assistant
Jamey Tulloch, Transplant Data Analyst
Denise Zavarella, Certified Medical Assistant