Penn Medicine Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026

Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026 | Kidney Transplantation, Living Donor Evaluation, Transplant Referral, Waitlisting, Organ Allocation, Post-Transplant Medications & Surgical Management

The Penn Medicine Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026 is a comprehensive multidisciplinary continuing medical education program focused on the clinical, surgical, administrative, and psychosocial aspects of kidney transplantation. Organized by Penn Medicine and the Penn Transplant Institute, this educational symposium provides an overview of the kidney transplantation process, from initial referral and transplant candidate evaluation to waitlisting, living donor assessment, organ allocation, kidney transplant surgery, and long-term post-transplant management. Held on September 29, 2026, at the Arthur H. Rubenstein Auditorium, Smilow Center for Translational Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the symposium was offered through both in-person and live-stream virtual attendance. The 2026 Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium addresses important developments affecting kidney transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, dialysis professionals, transplant coordinators, and healthcare teams involved in advanced kidney disease management. Major educational topics include transplant benefits and risks, living kidney donation, referral and evaluation procedures, the role of the New Jersey State Transplant Designee, electronic patient tools, post-transplant medications, shared-care models, transplant mentoring, socioeconomic barriers, multi-listing strategies, organ allocation, and surgical transplantation procedures. The curriculum integrates clinical lectures, patient experience videos, and multidisciplinary perspectives to provide a practical review of the full kidney transplantation pathway.

Course Details

• Course: Penn Medicine Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026
• Official Program: 2026 Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium
• Organizer: Penn Medicine
• Academic Institution: University of Pennsylvania
• Clinical Program: Penn Transplant Institute
• Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
• Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Venue: Arthur H. Rubenstein Auditorium, Smilow Center for Translational Research
• Address: 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Original Format: In-Person and Live-Stream Virtual Conference
• Primary Specialty: Nephrology / Kidney Transplantation
• Additional Focus: Transplant Surgery, Internal Medicine, Living Donation, Transplant Coordination, Renal Social Work and Dialysis Medicine
• Language: English
• Published Scientific Presentations: 11
• Additional Program Content: Two Patient Highlight Videos
• Original AMA CME: Up to 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Nursing Continuing Education: 6 NCPD Hours
• Physician Assistant Credit: Up to 6 Category 1 Credits
• ABTC CEPTC: Up to 6 Category 1 Continuing Education Points
• Social Work Continuing Education: 6 General Credits
• Dialysis Technician Continuing Education: 6 Contact Hours

The accreditation applies to eligible participation in the original Penn Medicine educational activity. The published symposium schedule does not independently establish which recordings or educational files are included with a separately distributed MedicalAmboss product.

Course Directors

Karthik M. Ranganna, MD

Co-Director Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Renee Westmoreland, CRNP, RN, DNP

Co-Director Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The symposium brings together multidisciplinary professionals involved in kidney transplantation, transplant coordination, living donation, patient education, and post-transplant care.

Target Audience

This symposium is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with advanced kidney disease and those being evaluated for kidney transplantation. The target audience includes:

• Nephrologists
• Transplant Nephrologists
• General Surgeons
• Transplant Surgeons
• Kidney Transplant Coordinators
• Dialysis Physicians
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Advanced Practice Providers
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Nephrology Nurses
• Transplant Nurses
• Dialysis Nurses
• Renal Social Workers
• Clinical Pharmacists
• Dialysis Unit Technicians
• Renal Dietitians
• Medical Residents
• Nephrology Fellows
• Transplant Surgery Fellows
• Other Healthcare Professionals Involved in Kidney Transplantation

The program is particularly useful for clinicians and transplant teams seeking improved understanding of referral pathways, transplant eligibility, living donation, post-transplant management, and patient support.

Program Overview

Kidney transplantation is an important treatment option for appropriately selected patients with kidney failure. Successful transplantation requires coordination among nephrologists, transplant surgeons, transplant coordinators, dialysis teams, pharmacists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals. The transplant process extends beyond surgery and includes several critical stages:

• Identification of Potential Transplant Candidates
• Patient Education
• Referral for Transplant Evaluation
• Medical and Psychosocial Assessment
• Living Donor Evaluation
• Transplant Waitlisting
• Organ Allocation
• Multiple-Center Listing
• Kidney Transplant Surgery
• Immunosuppressive Treatment
• Post-Transplant Monitoring
• Shared-Care Coordination
• Long-Term Recipient Support

The Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026 provides an organized review of these stages through expert presentations and case-oriented educational discussions. The program also examines patient-centered issues, including access to transplant services, socioeconomic barriers, electronic resources, mentoring, and coordination between transplant centers and community healthcare providers.

Learning Objectives

After completing the original educational activity, participants should be better able to:

1. Review the benefits and risks of kidney transplantation.
2. Examine the living kidney donation evaluation process.
3. Discuss the role of the New Jersey State Transplant Designee.
4. Describe new electronic tools available to kidney transplant candidates.
5. Discuss the components of the kidney transplant referral and evaluation process.
6. Explain the post-transplant shared-care model.
7. Describe essential elements of a kidney transplant mentor program.
8. Review the impact of socioeconomic status on patients before and after kidney transplantation.
9. Identify appropriate multi-listing strategies and understand the effects of current organ allocation policies.
10. Describe the kidney transplant surgical process.

Complete Official 2026 Symposium Curriculum

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

In-Person Registration and Breakfast

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Virtual Platform Sign-In

8:15 AM – 8:30 AM

Introduction

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM Faculty: Denny DuPont, BA, BS The opening session introduces the symposium and its educational objectives.

Session I – Kidney Transplantation Overview

1. Overview of Kidney Transplant

8:35 AM – 9:15 AM Faculty: Roy Bloom, MD This presentation introduces the clinical principles and care pathways involved in kidney transplantation. Important educational considerations include:

• Kidney Failure
• Kidney Transplant Eligibility
• Benefits of Kidney Transplantation
• Transplant Risks
• Dialysis and Transplantation
• Patient Selection
• Medical Assessment
• Surgical Considerations
• Long-Term Outcomes
• Recipient Monitoring
• Multidisciplinary Care

The session provides a foundation for understanding the transplantation process and its potential benefits and limitations.

Session II – Living Kidney Donation

2. Living Donor Evaluation: What Listed Patients Need to Know

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Faculty:

• Marguerite Cass, RN
• Nicole Ruemeli, RN

This presentation reviews the living kidney donor evaluation process and information relevant to patients awaiting transplantation. Important topics include:

• Living Kidney Donation
• Donor Eligibility
• Living Donor Assessment
• Donor Medical History
• Kidney Function Evaluation
• Compatibility Considerations
• Donor Safety
• Informed Consent
• Independent Donor Evaluation
• Recipient Education
• Donor-Recipient Coordination

The educational emphasis is on helping patients and healthcare teams understand the evaluation pathway for living kidney donation.

Kidney Patient Highlight Video

9:45 AM – 9:55 AM The original program includes a patient-focused video illustrating the kidney transplantation experience.

Break

9:55 AM – 10:10 AM

Session III – Transplant Coordination and Patient Access

3. The Role of the Transplant Designee

10:10 AM – 10:40 AM Faculty: Elizabeth Nuschke, RD This presentation examines the role of the transplant designee in supporting transplant education, referral, and coordination. Important considerations include:

• Transplant Designee Responsibilities
• Patient Education
• Dialysis Center Coordination
• Transplant Referral
• Communication With Transplant Programs
• Referral Documentation
• Patient Follow-Up
• Care Coordination
• Identification of Barriers
• Quality Improvement

The educational focus includes the relationship between dialysis providers, transplant centers, and patients being considered for transplantation.

4. What's New in Electronic Tools for Kidney Transplant Patients

10:40 AM – 11:10 AM Faculty: Renee Westmoreland, CRNP, RN, DNP This session reviews electronic resources designed to support kidney transplant candidates and healthcare teams. Relevant areas include:

• Electronic Patient Tools
• Transplant Education Resources
• Digital Communication
• Patient Information
• Care Coordination
• Transplant Candidate Support
• Electronic Documentation
• Patient Engagement
• Access to Information
• Transplant Process Navigation

The presentation emphasizes the role of digital tools in helping patients understand and manage the transplantation process.

5. The Kidney Transplant Referral & Evaluation Process

11:10 AM – 11:45 AM Faculty:

• Melissa Parsonson, BSN
• Courtney Byrne, MSW

This presentation provides a practical review of transplant referral and candidate evaluation. Important topics include:

• Kidney Transplant Referral
• Candidate Eligibility
• Medical Evaluation
• Psychosocial Evaluation
• Diagnostic Investigations
• Transplant Team Assessment
• Comorbid Conditions
• Patient Education
• Evaluation Coordination
• Transplant Readiness
• Waitlisting Considerations
• Referral Follow-Up

The session emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of assessing potential transplant candidates.

Lunch

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Session IV – Post-Transplant Medication and Shared Care

6. Post Transplant Medications

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM Faculty: Alyssa Gagliano, PharmD This presentation reviews medication-related considerations following kidney transplantation. Important clinical areas include:

• Immunosuppressive Therapy
• Rejection Prevention
• Calcineurin Inhibitors
• Antimetabolite Therapy
• Corticosteroids
• Medication Adherence
• Therapeutic Monitoring
• Drug Interactions
• Medication-Related Adverse Effects
• Infection Risk
• Medication Reconciliation
• Patient Education

The educational focus is on the importance of medication management and monitoring in kidney transplant recipients.

7. Understanding the Post Transplant Care Model

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM Faculty: Wanda Gbemudu, MBA, BSN, BA, RN This session examines the organization and coordination of post-transplant care. Important topics include:

• Post-Transplant Follow-Up
• Shared-Care Models
• Transplant Center Coordination
• Community Nephrology
• Graft Function Monitoring
• Laboratory Surveillance
• Medication Monitoring
• Recipient Education
• Communication Between Providers
• Long-Term Clinical Care

The presentation emphasizes collaborative management between transplant specialists and other healthcare professionals.

Living Donor Highlight Video

1:15 PM – 1:25 PM The original symposium includes a patient-focused living donor video.

Break

1:25 PM – 1:40 PM

Session V – Patient Mentorship and Socioeconomic Considerations

8. Penn Kidney Transplant Mentor Program

1:40 PM – 2:10 PM Faculty:

• Emily Patrick, LSW/LCSW
• Sarah DiPadova, CRNP, RN
• Matison McIntyre, LSW/LCSW

This presentation reviews the role of peer mentoring and structured patient support in kidney transplantation. Important educational themes include:

• Transplant Mentoring
• Patient Education
• Peer Support
• Psychosocial Support
• Patient Engagement
• Emotional Preparation
• Shared Experiences
• Transplant Navigation
• Communication
• Patient Empowerment

The session emphasizes how mentoring programs may support patients throughout the transplant journey.

9. Socio-Economic Status and Kidney Transplant Candidacy

2:10 PM – 2:40 PM Faculty:

• Renee Maggiaro, LCSW, MSW
• Isabella Hanna, LCSW

This presentation examines socioeconomic factors affecting access to kidney transplantation. Important considerations include:

• Socioeconomic Status
• Financial Barriers
• Healthcare Access
• Insurance Coverage
• Transportation
• Employment
• Social Support
• Health Literacy
• Transplant Evaluation Barriers
• Patient Advocacy
• Access to Care
• Post-Transplant Follow-Up

The educational focus is on recognizing barriers that may influence transplant candidacy and long-term patient outcomes.

Session VI – Organ Allocation and Transplant Surgery

10. Understanding Multi-Listing & Allocation

2:40 PM – 3:00 PM Faculty: Vishnu S. Potluri, MD This presentation examines kidney transplant waitlisting and organ allocation. Important topics include:

• Kidney Transplant Waitlisting
• Organ Allocation
• Multiple-Center Listing
• Multi-Listing Strategies
• Transplant Eligibility
• Allocation Policy
• Wait Time
• Candidate Management
• Organ Availability
• Transplant Access
• Patient Counseling

The session emphasizes understanding allocation practices and the implications of listing at more than one transplant center.

11. Surgical Overview of Kidney Transplantation

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Faculty: Ronald Parsons, MD This presentation provides an overview of the kidney transplantation surgical process. Important clinical considerations include:

• Kidney Transplant Surgery
• Recipient Preparation
• Donor Kidney Procurement
• Surgical Planning
• Vascular Anastomosis
• Ureteral Anastomosis
• Graft Reperfusion
• Early Graft Function
• Surgical Complications
• Postoperative Monitoring
• Multidisciplinary Surgical Care

The educational focus is on understanding the surgical stages and perioperative considerations involved in kidney transplantation. 3:30 PM – Symposium Adjournment

Major Topics Covered

• Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026
• Penn Medicine Kidney Transplant
• Kidney Transplantation
• Renal Transplantation
• Transplant Nephrology
• Transplant Surgery
• Kidney Failure
• Living Kidney Donation
• Living Donor Evaluation
• Kidney Transplant Eligibility
• Transplant Referral
• Candidate Evaluation
• Transplant Waitlisting
• Transplant Allocation
• Multi-Listing
• Organ Donation
• Transplant Designee
• Electronic Transplant Tools
• Transplant Coordination
• Post-Transplant Medications
• Immunosuppressive Therapy
• Post-Transplant Care
• Shared-Care Models
• Transplant Mentoring
• Socioeconomic Barriers
• Health Equity
• Patient Education
• Transplant Surgery
• Surgical Complications
• Graft Monitoring
• Multidisciplinary Care

Benefits and Risks of Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation is an important treatment option for selected patients with kidney failure. Successful transplantation may offer benefits involving survival, quality of life, functional independence, and reduced dependence on dialysis. However, transplantation also involves surgical risks, immunosuppression-related complications, infection risk, possible rejection, and the need for lifelong medical follow-up. The symposium provides an educational overview of these issues.

Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

Living donation can provide an important pathway to kidney transplantation. The donor evaluation process requires attention to donor safety, informed consent, medical eligibility, and appropriate coordination. The curriculum discusses the information transplant candidates should understand when considering living donation.

Kidney Transplant Referral and Evaluation

Timely referral is an important component of kidney transplant care. Candidate evaluation involves medical and psychosocial assessment, diagnostic testing, multidisciplinary review, and consideration of transplant eligibility. The course examines how healthcare teams can coordinate this process and help patients navigate the required steps.

Kidney Transplant Waitlisting and Organ Allocation

Transplant waitlisting and organ allocation are important parts of the kidney transplantation process. The program reviews allocation considerations and the potential role of listing at multiple transplant centers. These subjects are relevant to clinicians counseling patients about transplant access and waitlist management.

Post-Transplant Medications and Long-Term Care

Long-term transplant outcomes depend on appropriate medical management. The curriculum reviews immunosuppressive medication concepts, treatment monitoring, and the importance of coordinated follow-up. The shared-care model emphasizes communication between transplant centers and community healthcare teams.

Socioeconomic Factors and Transplant Access

Socioeconomic barriers may influence transplant evaluation, access to care, and long-term follow-up. Factors such as transportation, insurance, employment, financial resources, and social support may affect patients before and after transplantation. The program emphasizes the importance of identifying barriers and improving coordination of supportive services.

Patient Mentoring and Transplant Education

Patient mentoring programs may provide educational, emotional, and practical support for individuals navigating kidney transplantation. The symposium examines the structure and potential value of peer support as part of comprehensive transplant care.

Surgical Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplant surgery requires coordinated planning between transplant surgeons, nephrologists, anesthesiology teams, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The surgical overview introduces the main procedural stages and relevant postoperative considerations.

Continuing Medical Education

Penn Medicine designated the original live activity for a maximum of:

• 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• 6 AAPA Category 1 Credits
• 6 Nursing Professional Development Hours
• 6 ABTC Category 1 CEPTC Points
• 6 Social Work Continuing Education Credits
• 6 Dialysis Technician Continuing Education Contact Hours

The original program was accredited through Penn Medicine's jointly accredited interprofessional continuing education framework.

Important CME Notice

The credit amounts described above apply to eligible participation in the original Penn Medicine activity. Purchasing separately distributed educational files through MedicalAmboss does not itself provide:

• Official Penn Medicine CME Credits
• ABTC CEPTC Points
• Nursing Continuing Education Credits
• Official Completion Certificates
• University Conference Registration
• Official Virtual Conference Access
• Penn Medicine Learning Platform Accounts
• Publisher-Hosted Educational Benefits

Why This Course Is Relevant

The Penn Medicine Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026 provides a multidisciplinary educational review of the kidney transplantation process. Unlike programs focused exclusively on transplant surgery or immunosuppressive therapy, this symposium addresses the full patient pathway, including referral, evaluation, donor assessment, waitlisting, allocation, surgery, post-transplant care, and patient support. The inclusion of transplant coordinators, pharmacists, social workers, nurses, nephrologists, and transplant surgeons highlights the importance of coordinated care. The program is especially relevant to clinicians and healthcare teams seeking a practical understanding of kidney transplantation and the clinical and social factors influencing patient outcomes.

Official Program Reference and MedicalAmboss Purchase Scope

Official Penn Medicine 2026 Kidney Transplant Symposium: https://upenn.cloud-cme.com/KidneyTransplantSymposium2026 Penn Medicine Kidney Transplant Program: https://www.pennmedicine.org/specialties/transplant/kidney-transplant The official references describe the original educational program, including its conference schedule, faculty, learning objectives, accreditation, and participation information. They do not independently establish the exact file inventory of a separately distributed MedicalAmboss listing. MedicalAmboss File Scope: This listing describes the educational subject matter for reference. Provider registration, live attendance, streaming-platform access, CME or other credit, certificates, memberships, apps, accounts, and publisher-hosted extras are not included unless explicitly listed as store files.

Short Description

Penn Medicine Penn Kidney Transplant Symposium 2026 provides a comprehensive educational review of kidney transplantation, living donation, transplant candidate evaluation, waitlisting, organ allocation, transplant surgery, and long-term post-transplant management. Held September 29, 2026, in Philadelphia, the original multidisciplinary conference includes 11 educational presentations and two patient-focused videos covering clinical, surgical, technological, and socioeconomic aspects of kidney transplantation.

Topics

AGENDA | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2026

• 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: In-Person Registration/Breakfast

• 8:15 AM – 8:30 AM: Sign into the Virtual Platform (Virtual Attendees Only)

• 8:30 AM – 8:35 AM: Introduction — Denny DuPont, BA, BS

• 8:35 AM – 9:15 AM: Overview of Kidney Transplant — Roy Bloom, MD

• 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Living Donor Evaluation: What Listed Patients Need to Know — Marguerite Cass, BSN, RN, CCTN and Nicole Ruemeli, BSN, RN

• 9:45 AM – 9:55 AM: Kidney Patient Highlight Video

• 9:55 AM – 10:10 AM: Break

• 10:10 AM – 10:40 AM: The Role of the Transplant Designee — Elizabeth Nuschke, RD

• 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM: What’s New in Electronic Tools for Kidney Transplant Patients — Renee Westmoreland, DNP, CRNP

• 11:10 AM – 11:45 AM: The Kidney Transplant Referral & Evaluation Process — Melissa Parsonson, BSN, RN and Courtney Byrne, MSW, LCSW

• 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Lunch

• 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM: Post Transplant Medications — Alyssa Gagliano, PharmD

• 12:45 PM – 1:15 PM: Understanding the Post Transplant Care Model — Wanda Gbemudu, MBA, BSN, RN

• 1:15 PM – 1:25 PM: Living Donor Highlight Video

• 1:25 PM – 1:40 PM: Break

• 1:40 PM – 2:10 PM: Penn Kidney Transplant Mentor Program — Sarah DiPadova, MSN, CRNP; Mati McIntyre, LMSW; Emily Patrick, MSW, LCSW

• 2:10 PM – 2:40 PM: Socio-Economic Status and Kidney Transplant Candidacy — Renee Maggiaro, MSW and Isabella Hanna, MSW, LCSW

• 2:40 PM – 3:00 PM: Understanding Multi-Listing & Allocation — Vishnu Potluri, MD, MPH

• 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Surgical Overview of Kidney Transplantation — Ron Parsons, MD

• 3:30 PM: Closing Remarks — Denny DuPont, BA, BS