Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix is home to one of Arizona’s leading kidney transplant programs. People come from across the region for our expertise and specialty care.
Banner surgeons performed the first kidney transplant in Phoenix in 1969 and launched the kidney transplant program in Phoenix in 1977.
As of late 2025, the kidney transplant specialists in Phoenix have performed nearly 5,000 kidney transplants. Those transplanted kidneys came from more than 1,700 living donors and more than 3,200 deceased donors.
People treated by Banner’s kidney transplant specialists in Phoenix usually stay in the hospital for less than the normal average of 3.5 days after surgery and they have excellent survival outcomes.
After launching a heart transplant program in 2019, Banner began dual heart-kidney transplants in 2022. The center can also provide liver-kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants.
The kidney transplant program is notable for being “steroid sparing,” meaning that the transplant team does not prescribe corticosteroids for most people after their transplant surgery and patients don’t take steroids as long as their kidney is working well.
To support living donor kidney transplant in Phoenix, we offer kidney paired donation.
As part of this program, we host a donor champion education program twice a year. This program is designed to assist you in finding a living donor by sharing tools and resources that have been successful for others. You will leave with skills and ideas to help you feel more comfortable telling your story and asking for a living donor.
Typically, your nephrologist (kidney doctor) or primary care provider will refer you for kidney transplant evaluation. You can also refer yourself. You can call 602-521-5900 for more information about kidney transplant referral in Phoenix.
A multidisciplinary team will review your case to see if you are a candidate for kidney transplant. It’s important to be sure that transplant is the right treatment for you, meaning it’s considered safe and expected to work.
The team will review your overall health, kidney health, emotional readiness, weight, nutrition and financial readiness.
Banner Health does not perform kidney transplants in children under age 18. If your child may be a candidate for kidney transplant, they will need pediatric care.
Learn more about qualifying for a kidney transplant.
In Phoenix, Banner Health offers a monthly kidney transplant support group and a monthly transplant caregiver support group.
You can also learn more through our video series:
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