Columbia University Medical Center

CUMC is an academic medical center and one of the campuses of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. It is considered a leader in the creation of new knowledge and therapies to improve health in individuals and populations. Sponsored research is extremely well-funded at the institution, and its research faculty study all areas of contemporary biomedical investigation and public health.

Kovler Organ Transplant Center

Based at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, the Kovler Center has been providing transplantation services since 1964 and is a leader in research, innovation, and patient care in the Midwest. Its diverse research program is dedicated to collaborative investigation, and one of its primary endeavors is developing and carrying out health outcomes research related to transplantation.

Southeastern Kidney Transplant Coalition

In September 2010, the Southeastern Kidney Transplant (SEKTx) Coalition was formed with the mission of identifying and reducing barriers to kidney transplant in the Southeast for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Chaired by Stephen Pastan, MD, medical director of the kidney transplant program of the Emory Transplant Center, the coalition consists of dialysis and transplant patients; dialysis facility administrators and social workers; health disparity and kidney disease researchers; such organizations as the American Association of Kidney Patients, National Kidney Foundation, Southeastern Kidney Council of ESRD Network 6, and the Georgia Transplant Foundation; the organ procurement organizations that serve Georgia, North Caroline, and South Carolina; and the nine transplant centers from this tri-state region.