Transforming pediatric nephrology: Personalized care for every patient
“We strive to create an environment where success goes beyond medical results, focusing on lasting improvements in the lives of children around the world,” says Dr. Moxey-Mims.
Big picture
The Kidney Transplantation Program at Children’s National Hospital is the only one of its kind in the Washington, D.C., region focused on the needs of children and teens with kidney disease. Performing up to 20 kidney transplants per year, the program is one of the highest volume centers on the East Coast.
“A significant portion of the recent kidneys came from living donors,” says Marva Moxey-Mims, M.D., chief of Nephrology at Children’s National. “This is crucial because living donor kidneys typically perform better and have a longer lifespan than kidneys from deceased donors.”
Children’s National leads the way
At the forefront of groundbreaking treatment, the nephrology team is pioneering progress by providing innovative care and resources. One example is the hospital’s collaboration with the National Kidney Registry and MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute’s Living Donor Program. This provides a greater chance of finding more suitable donors for difficult-to-match children and has resulted in altruistic donations.
“Living kidney donations are transforming the landscape of pediatric transplants” says Dr. Moxey-Mims. “By significantly reducing wait times, we provide children with faster access to life-saving care and a quicker journey to restored health. This reflects our unwavering dedication to improving the lives of every child we serve.”
That commitment is also seen in the division’s focus on making sure families have the resources they need during their medical journey. Through philanthropic funding, families with children undergoing kidney transplants and dialysis can receive financial assistance. In some cases, families receive up to $2,500 of mortgage or rental payment assistance. Families can also receive funds for medication co-pays and other expenses incurred around the time of the transplant.
“These funds are true lifesavers for families navigating medical challenges,” says Jennifer Verbesey, M.D., surgical director of pediatric kidney transplantation at Children’s National. “We are committed to ensuring that families have access to the care and resources their child requires regardless of their financial situation.”
Global efforts
In addition to the work her team is doing in the United States, Dr. Moxey-Mims is on a mission to address pediatric renal disease on a global scale. Most recently, Dr. Moxey-Mims traveled to the Kuwait Pediatric Congress in November, to discuss advances in pediatric renal care.
“Children’s National was the only pediatric hospital from the United States represented at the meeting, says Dr. Moxey-Mims. “This demonstrates our commitment to tackling this chronic condition.”
In February, Dr. Moxey-Mims will travel to Cape Town, South Africa for the 2025 International Pediatric Nephrology Association Congress, where she will present on treatments to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
Bottom line
Children’s National is at the forefront of pediatric kidney transplantation. “Our approach addresses every aspect of a patient’s journey,” says Dr. Moxey-Mims. “We strive to create an environment where success goes beyond medical results, focusing on lasting improvements in the lives of children around the world.”
Learn more about our latest advances in pediatric Nephrology.
