American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)

This group meets one Sunday of the month at different hospitals across the State of New Jersey. For meeting dates, please call 800-749-AAKP or visit www.aakp.org.

Pancreas Transplant Support Group

This group was founded on the basis that ongoing support and education are vital to successful recovery and adaptation to life after transplantation, and recognizes that diabetic renal patients who have had this very specialized transplant have unique issues and concerns. Reservations required.  Upcoming meetings will take place the second Tuesday of every other month. For further information, please call Marcia Krupit, M.S.W., at (973) 322-8461.

Parents' Night Out

This group is designed to facilitate adjustment to chronic renal disease for parents of young children (7 years and under) who are on dialysis or are pre-/post-kidney transplant.  Facilitated by a clinical nurse specialist and licensed clinical social worker, this group focuses on the feelings, concerns and unique problems of this population and attempts to provide resolutions from those who have experienced similar issues. As dinner is provided, reservations are required. Quarterly meetings are planned in the Saint Barnabas Transplant Program conference room, Suite 303, East Wing. Free. For further information and to make reservations, contact Joanne Hall, L.C.S.W. at (973) 322-2249.

Pre-dialysis Patient Education  

This program was designed to answer questions patients and their family members may have regarding kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, nutrition, insurance, and other issues prior to initiating dialysis. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the West Wing of the Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center. For more information or to register, please call Ann Brisbon at (973) 322-7157.

Pre-transplant Education Seminars 

For current schedules, please call:  Newark Beth Israel Medical Center at (973) 926-7555 and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston at (973) 322-5938.

Transplant Recipient/Family Support Group

Meets monthly, alternating afternoon and evening meetings.  Founded on the basis that ongoing support and education are vital to successful recovery and adaptation to life after transplant. Meetings generally take place in The Martin G. Jacobs Transplant Institute conference room, located on the third floor of the East Wing at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.  For the date of the next meeting or to make a reservation, please call Marcia Krupit, M.S.W., Saint Barnabas Medical Center, at (973) 322-8461.  For information concerning meetings at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, please call  (973) 926-3537.