 A Celebratory Opening – The Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System opened a new office in Colts Neck, N.J., to make it easier for individuals residing in the central and southern portions of the state to access care.
The Saint Barnabas Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers have opened a satellite office in Colts Neck, N.J., to make kidney transplantation more accessible to those living in the southern region of New Jersey. Opened in August 2003, the satellite was met with such enthusiasm that the transplant team immediately increased the center’s operation from one to two days per month.
“Unfortunately, traveling an extended distance is an obstacle for some patients,” points out Shamkant Mulgaonkar, M.D., Chief of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers. “Opening this satellite was a response to multiple requests by nephrologists dialysis centers throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
“We have duplicated our successful education and evaluation programs so patients visiting the Colts Neck Satellite can meet with the same experienced physicians and staff members that they would meet if they traveled to our Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers in Livingston or Newark,” notes Dr. Mulgaonkar. A transplant nephrologist, social worker, transplant coordinator and a patient advocate provide a complete educational session and can begin the medical evaluation process during the patient’s first visit. If further medical testing is required, those procedures can be performed at the local physician’s office or hospital. “We recommend that patients visit our comprehensive transplant center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center at their convenience, but they could actually complete the entire pre-transplant process through the Colts Neck Satellite without having to travel until the day of surgery,” notes Dr. Mulgaonkar.
In the coming months, the team will add kidney donor education and
evaluation sessions at the Satellit for anyone who is considering
the donation of a healthy kidney to someone with end stage renal
disease. For further information and directions, please call 1-888-409-4707.
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