Best Institution In Michigan for Transplant

[IrishGirl]

Can anyone recommend the best place to have a transplant in Michigan? I think the most votes
have come for Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and U of M in Ann Arbor. We want somewhere that has
very good outcomes and of course who does the "most" in terms of numbers. Any suggestions?

[jbeany]

I'm at U of M.  It's the only one around that has much experience in kidney/pancreas transplants.  I'm pretty sure they have the highest numbers in Michigan as well.  I was told Grand Rapids was a lost cause, since they take forever to get anyone on their list.  If you are far enough downstate, you might want to consider double listing in Ohio.

[xtrememoosetrax]

You can get quantity information for individual centers in your state at the UNOS web site:
http://www.unos.org/data/about/viewDataReports.asp

Quality?  Sorry, can't help you on that.

[lamillinger913]

I have had both of my kidney transplants at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. One in 1980 and one just this January. I have never had a problem with the nephs, and my surgeon was terrific. I have also heard that U-M is excellent. If you are on the west side of the state, you might want to consider also getting listed in Wisconsin --- U of W at Madison has an excellent program.   

[IrishGirl]

Thanks for the suggestions. Actually this board is so helpful I just get one question answered when I think of another. The kindness and generosity and willingness of people to help always amazes me. I had no idea that PKD would strike my whole family, its very overwhelming to me. Not just siblings, but kids, everyone.....but I guess being prepared will help. Several people I talked to at my work suggested St John Hospital in Detroit which is not terribly far away so its another option. IrishGirl

[Jill D.]

U of M definitely has a great transplant program and is also a research hospital...I know for years they have been working on developing an artificial kidney.
For my initial transplant evaluation my doctor gave me a choice between U of M and St. Mary's in Grand Rapids. I asked the nurses what they thought and they felt that St. Mary's was much easier to deal with, were more responsive and had a good program. I checked the numbers (number of transplants per year and yearly graft data) and they both were good. I did not have any other health issues except my kidney disease (and at that time my GFR was 15 and I was still feeling quite well.) I Chose St. Mary's and I felt they had a good transplant program and the staff was awesome. I had 2 days of evaluation in Nov 2003, was quickly approved for the transplant and my sister was approved as a donor at St. Mary's in Jan 2004. However, 1 1/2 years later when the docs felt the time was right for the transplant it was determined that my PRA was very high and I needed a positive crossmatch transplant which GR definitely could not handle. U of M probably could have done the surgery but I chose Mayo CLinic since they had done more of these transplants than anyone in the US.
I did find that St. Mary's was much stricter on criteria for donors than what I have heard about U of M. This could be good or bad, depending on the situation.
Has your neph given you any recommendations?

[IrishGirl]

I have gotten several "NO" votes from the medical community on Grand Rapids but no specifics on reasons why. I have been told Mayo, U of M are the 2 best.

[Jill D.]

That's interesting - I wonder why. l I know is that ultimately I am soooo glad I went to Mayo!