VCU news

By Anne Buckley

The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center ranked 44th in the country for treating people with kidney disease, according to U.S. News Media Group’s 2009-10 publication of America’s Best Hospitals. It is the third year in a row the kidney program has received this recognition.

The Division of Nephrology provides specialized care of patients with a variety of kidney disorders and hypertension. The VCU Hume-Lee Transplant Center is among the nation’s most active and successful programs with more than 2,000 kidney transplants and 100 pancreas transplants for Type 1 diabetes.

“The nephrology division is made up of a dedicated group of physicians, researchers and nurse practitioners and physician assistants specializing in the care of patients with all forms of kidney disease,” said Todd Gehr, M.D., professor and chair of the Division of Nephrology. “Our national standing is really a reflection of the growing prestige of the entire VCU health care community.”

"In performing a record 127 kidney transplants this year, The Hume-Lee Transplant Center works hand-in-hand with the Division of Nephrology," said Marc Posner, M.D., professor and chairman, Division of Transplantation Surgery, and director of the Hume-Lee Transplant Center. "This recognition reaffirms our quality as having the best patient and graft survival in Virginia."

The nephrology division includes three sections: renal, transplant and clinical pharmacology and hypertension. The division supports an active clinical inpatient and outpatient service at VCU Medical Center and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“Our commitment to top-notch specialty programs and leading-edge research is reflected in this ranking,” said Sheldon Retchin, M.D., VCU Health System CEO. “The ranking by U.S. News for the kidney program reaffirms our vision to be the preeminent academic health center in the nation.”

The VCU Medical Center was also noted for excellence by U.S. News in rehabilitation, ranked 20th; heart and heart surgery, ranked 44th in the country; and orthopaedics, ranked 45th.

Now in its 20th year, the multi-platform 2009-10 America’s Best Hospital guide is the most extensive hospital ranking to date. It includes rankings of 174 medical centers nationwide in 16 specialties.