loader image
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
81.4 F
McAllen
- Advertisement -

DHR Health Announces Certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for their Kidney Transplant Program on World Kidney Day

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

Pictured Above: Mr. Gerardo Hernandez, DHR Health’s first kidney transplant recipient, and his daughter, Ms. Janett Arambula, who donated her kidney to her father, visit the DHR Health Transplant Institute for their one-year follow-up. Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Arambula are joined by Philip Thomas, MD, Transplant Surgeon (left) and Mourad Alsabbagh, MD, Transplant Nephrologist (right)
Pictured Above: Mr. Gerardo Hernandez, DHR Health’s first kidney transplant recipient, and his daughter, Ms. Janett Arambula, who donated her kidney to her father, visit the DHR Health Transplant Institute for their one-year follow-up. Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Arambula are joined by Philip Thomas, MD, Transplant Surgeon (left) and Mourad Alsabbagh, MD, Transplant Nephrologist (right)

Mega Doctor News

- Advertisement -
Dr. Mourad Alsabbagh, Transplant Nephrologist
Dr. Mourad Alsabbagh, Transplant Nephrologist

Edinburg, TX—DHR Health (DHR) is proud to announce that in recognition of its quality, experience, and excellence in the delivery of kidney transplant medical services, it is now officially certified as an Adult Kidney Transplant Program by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). CMS certification is the highest quality indicator for a transplant program, and DHR is the only health system south of San Antonio to receive this seal of approval. This certification will greatly expand access to life-saving kidney transplants for many patients in the Rio Grande Valley who are Medicare beneficiaries and suffering from end-stage kidney failure.

Since establishing the DHR Health Transplant Institute in 2016, DHR has performed 7 kidney transplants. March 7thmarks the one-year anniversary of the first kidney transplant performed at DHR where Mr. Gerardo Hernandez received his kidney from his daughter, Ms. Janett Arambula. The DHR Health Transplant Institute provides patients with access to a medical team whose expertise is unmatched in the region. The kidney transplant team is comprised of Dr. Jose Almeda, Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Philip Thomas, Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Mourad Alsabbagh, Transplant Nephrologist, and Dr. Gaudencio Olgin, Urologist, as well as pharmacists, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals.

To earn CMS certification, the DHR Health Transplant Institute underwent a rigorous onsite evaluation and an in-depth review of the program’s clinical experience, patient selection, management, volumes and outcomes, and adherence to the highest standards of quality and safety. Now, Medicare and Medicaid patients, as well as those with private insurance, will be able to choose DHR and stay close to home to receive kidney transplant services.

- Advertisement -

As DHR Health looks to continue expanding access and treatment to the Rio Grande Valley, it is also important to focus on educating the community about the importance of kidney health and advocating for care. March 8, 2018, is World Kidney Day, a day to raise awareness with a goal to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease across the globe. This year’s World Kidney Day theme is Kidneys and Women’s Health: Include, Value, Empower. According to some studies, women have a higher prevalence of developing chronic kidney disease than men. For more information on kidney health, please visit the World Kidney Day website – www.worldkidneyday.org.

To learn more about kidney health or the transplant services available at the DHR Health Transplant Institute, please call (956) 362-LIFE (5433).

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

DHR Health Promotes Early Detection with $99 Mammogram Special

 In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, DHR Health is offering a $99 mammogram screening special from October 1–31, 2025, as part of its ongoing commitment to women’s health and early detection.

Pharr Declares October 2025 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The City of Pharr proudly supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month and remains committed to promoting education, prevention, and hope for a cure.

DHR Health Brownsville’s Fall Fest and Health Fair, Oct. 25th

DHR Health Brownsville invites the community to take charge of their health and celebrate the season in a very healthy way with their first ever Fall Fest and Health Fair. The event is set to take place from 8 a.m. to noon on October 25, 2025 at the DHR Health Brownsville Hospital located at 4750 North Expressway 77 in Brownsville. The event is free and open to the public.  

Dr. David G. Alonzo Reaches 1,000th da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Cancer Surgery Milestone

DHR Health Urologic Oncologist, Dr. David G. Alonzo, has successfully performed his 1,000th da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical procedure for the treatment of urologic cancers
- Advertisement -
×