WASHINGTON, Pa. - People in Washington, Greene and nearby communities now have a more convenient path to transplant care thanks to UPMC Washington's launch of local lung and kidney transplant evaluation services. These additions make it possible for people to complete their evaluation and follow-up care close to home, with transplant surgeries performed at UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Montefiore in Pittsburgh.
For many people living with serious lung or kidney disease, the travel required for transplant evaluation can be overwhelming. Work schedules, transportation challenges, family responsibilities and the demands of managing a chronic illness often make long trips difficult. Having evaluation and follow‑up care available in Washington reduces those barriers and keeps people connected to the support systems that matter most.
"The opportunity to bring this level of care to our community means a great deal," said Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. "Our patients deserve access to lifesaving specialty services without the added stress of traveling far from home. These programs help families stay together, allow local clinicians to remain closely involved and give patients the chance to begin their transplant journey with the full support of their community."
The expanded lung transplant evaluation program provides people with end‑stage lung disease access to comprehensive assessments - including imaging, diagnostic testing, pulmonary evaluation, lab work and education about the transplant process. Patients also benefit from direct coordination with UPMC transplant experts to help guide them through complex medical decisions.
These services are especially important in regions like Washington County, where mining and other industrial occupational work have long increased the risk of conditions such as black lung. Early evaluation is especially critical for people with severe lung disease, and offering these services locally helps people begin care sooner, remain close to their support systems and navigate a complex journey with consistent, expert guidance.
Kidney Transplant Evaluation
The new UPMC Kidney Transplant Evaluation Clinic in Washington provides comprehensive evaluation services for people with advanced kidney disease, offering convenient access to transplant specialists who assess eligibility, review diagnostic results and coordinate care with nephrologists and dialysis centers. For many patients, the demands of consistent dialysis treatments already place a significant physical and emotional burden on daily life. Being able to complete transplant evaluation close to home removes one more obstacle and gives people the chance to explore transplant as a potential path toward greater stability, independence and quality of life.
World-Class Care Close to Home
The addition of lung and kidney transplant evaluation services reflects UPMC Washington's continued focus on expanding access to advanced care in the communities it serves. Offering transplant evaluations locally allows people to begin care earlier and helps clinicians remain closely involved throughout the process.
This expansion is part of UPMC's broader commitment following its affiliation with Washington Health System in June 2024, which includes a $300 million, 10-year investment to strengthen local health care services. UPMC Washington remains focused on ensuring people across Washington County and southwestern Pennsylvania have timely access to life-saving specialty care close to home.
