Getting Started

Welcome to the Willis Knighton John C. McDonald Transplant Center. You’ll be scheduled for education and evaluation as soon as we receive your referral from your doctor or dialysis center.

During the education session, you’ll learn about the evaluation process, transplantation requirements, the wait list, and living donation (if applicable). We recommend bringing a family member or friend who will be involved in your care so they can understand the process and support you in your journey.

At your evaluation, you’ll meet with a team of specialists, including a transplant surgeon, dietitian, pharmacist, financial coordinator, social worker, and, if needed, a living donor coordinator. You'll also meet with either a nephrologist (for kidney patients) or a hepatologist (for liver patients). Additional tests may be required after your initial evaluation.

Once your evaluation and testing are complete, your case is reviewed by our Transplant Selection Committee. You'll receive a letter that notifies you whether you’re being added to the wait list or if you’re not currently a candidate.

If you’re on the kidney transplant waitlist, you’ll have a yearly follow-up appointment. For liver transplant patients, follow-up appointments will be more frequent, depending on the severity of your condition.

We're always here to guide and support you every step of the way. 

Living Kidney Donation – Getting Started

If you’re eligible for a transplant, we encourage you to reach out to your family, friends and community to explore the option of a living donor. During your education session, you’ll receive helpful information and paperwork about living donation. If you have any questions or need assistance, we’re here always here to support you every step of the way.

Once the living donor coordinator receives and processes the necessary paperwork, they’ll contact the potential donor to explain the next steps in the evaluation and matching process. The first step is blood work to check for compatibility between the donor and recipient. If the results come back as compatible, the evaluation can move forward.

Your potential donor then meets with a team of specialists, including a transplant surgeon, nephrologist, social worker, independent living donor advocate, dietitian, pharmacist and financial coordinator. To ensure an unbiased evaluation, the surgeon and nephrologist who assess the potential donor are not involved in the recipient’s evaluation.

After all evaluations are complete, the donor’s case is reviewed by the Transplant Selection Committee. If the committee agrees to move forward, the surgery can be scheduled.

We understand this process can feel overwhelming, and we’re always here to support you and your donor every step of the way. 

Interested in being a Kidney Donor?  Click here to learn more.