Christiana Care offers the only adult kidney transplant program in Delaware. Our expert team helps y
Our expert team of doctors and nurses works with you and your family to restore your health and transform your life. With our locations in northern and southern Delaware, you can be confident that your health care team is close at hand as you prepare for your surgery and to start your new life. Call 302-623-3866 for more information, or
ask our Transplant Team a question online.
04/25/2026
Did you know that nearly 90% of the 100,000+ people on the national transplant waiting list are waiting for a kidney?
Living kidney donation was developed because of the critical shortage of deceased donors, and it offers incredible benefits:
✨ Better long-term outcomes for the recipient.
✨ Less time waiting (often less than a year compared to 5+ years).
✨ A ripple effect: When a patient receives a living donor kidney, they are removed from the deceased donor list, making a kidney available for someone else in need.
You can live a long, healthy life with just one functioning kidney. You have the power to be a "living legacy."
Over on LinkedIn, ChristianaCare Nursing Excellence recognized our amazing Transplant Coordinator team as a part of Transplant Nurses' Week!
"We are celebrating Transplant Nurses' Week April 19-25 and are highlighting our Transplant Coordinator team!
Christy Sentman, BSN, RN-Post Transplant Coordinator-"I serve our patients & our team as a Renal Post-Transplant Coordinator with 12 years of nursing experience in transplant care. I am an expert in providing comprehensive follow-up for kidney transplant recipients, with proficiency in post-transplant monitoring, immunosuppression management, patient education, and coordination of multidisciplinary care. I am dedicated to promoting long-term graft function and patient well-being through compassionate, evidenced-based practice."
Stacey Strazzella, BSN, RN-Living Donor Coordinator-"I am the living donor coordinator for the last four years at our program and have been with the transplant team for the last six years. The care of our living kidney donors is extremely rewarding. I look forward to caring for many more living donors as our program continues to grow."
Alison Purner, MSN, RN, CCRN -Waitlist Coordinator-"I have been a transplant coordinator for almost 5 years now. I have worked as an evaluation coordinator and currently, as the wait list coordinator. Transplant is a specialty that leaves a lasting impression on our community and neighbors that we serve. That is one of the main reasons why I love what I do. I also enjoy helping people cross that finish line whether it is reaching the end goal of a kidney transplant or simply helping them navigate other options when transplant is not best for them. The collaboration my role has with other professions and specialties also leads to the compelling nature of being a transplant coordinator."
Heather Crumley, MSN, RN, PCCN -Pretransplant Coordinator, Evaluation-"I have been with the transplant team for over six years and am currently a Pre-Transplant Coordinator. I enjoy working with my patients to help them achieve their goals of receiving a kidney transplant."
Ryan Erace, BSN, RN -Pretransplant Coordinator, Evaluation-"I have been working as a transplant coordinator for almost a year and a half. I love my job because of the difference I can help make in my patient's lives. Coming from a hemodialysis background, transplant is much more rewarding and changes lives more positively."
Clare Shumate, BSN, RN -Clinical Supervisor-"For over a decade I have had the privilege of serving our patients, their families, and our team in the Transplant Program at ChristianaCare; first as a pretransplant coordinator, then specifically managing the waitlist, and now as a clinical supervisor. This work is incredibly meaningful to me, and I am humbled every day by the trust our patients place in us. I am deeply dedicated to the program, our mission, and to serving our community with Love and Excellence by facilitating vital, life-saving specialty care."
Thank you to our Transplant Coordinator team for all the amazing work you do helping our patients and community."
04/22/2026
This Administrative Professionals Day, we would like to highlight the amazing team of professionals who help our team and our patients navigate the kidney transplant process! Thank you, Kayla, Lori, Caitlyn, and Donna!
04/21/2026
During Donate Life Month, we recognize the generous individuals who say “yes” to organ and tissue donation, helping to save the lives of thousands of Delawareans 💚💙
Last week, members of the ChristianaCare Kidney Transplant Program and Gift of Life Donor Program hosted a flag raising ceremony at Christiana Hospital. They were joined by Onyi Kenine, a transplant recipient, and Pat Laurin, mother of organ donor Tony Rivera, to share their stories.
The Gift of Life Donor Program and the Transplant Foundation also graciously gifted $25,000 to help support travel expenses for patients and their families who are donors or recipients. We are grateful for their support and look forward to continuing to serve our patients. Read more: https://news.christianacare.org/2026/04/celebrating-a-second-chance-at-life/
In recognition of Donate Life Month, the ChristianaCare Kidney Transplant Program and Gift of Life Donor Program hosted a flag raising ceremony on April 14 honoring the generous people who provide hope and save lives through organ and tissue donation. In 2025, Christiana Hospital facilitated 60 orga...
04/19/2026
Save the date for this year's Delaware Kidney Walk!
It will take place on Sunday, September 20th at Cape Henlopen State Park! Create a team and start fundraising today! https://www.kidneywalk.org/delaware
04/17/2026
"Do I have to be related to donate a kidney?"
No! On average, 1 in 4 living donors are not biologically related to their recipient. Living donors can be spouses, friends, coworkers, or even "non-directed" donors—anonymous heroes who choose to help a stranger on the waitlist.
If tests show you aren't a direct medical match for someone you know, programs like Kidney Paired Donation (kidney swaps) can still make the transplant possible!
Earlier this week, the ChristianaCare Kidney Transplant Program and Gift of Life Donor Program hosted a special flag-raising ceremony to honor the generous individuals who give hope and save lives through organ and tissue donation.
In 2025, Christiana Hospital facilitated 60 organ donations, resulting in 150 life-saving transplants. In addition, 122 tissue donors helped improve the lives of countless patients.
We were deeply grateful for the generous support from the Gift of Life Donor Program and the Transplant Foundation, which helped provide travel and lodging assistance for transplant recipients, patients awaiting a kidney transplant, their families, and our incredible living donors.
This National Nutrition Month, check in with Molly about low phosphorus diets!
04/14/2026
Today, the ChristianaCare Kidney Transplant Program and Gift of Life Donor Program hosted a special flag-raising ceremony to honor the generous individuals who give hope and save lives through organ and tissue donation.
In 2025, Christiana Hospital facilitated 60 organ donations, resulting in 150 life-saving transplants. In addition, 122 tissue donors helped improve the lives of countless patients.
We are deeply grateful for the generous support from the Gift of Life Donor Program and the Transplant Foundation, helping provide travel and lodging assistance for transplant recipients, patients awaiting a kidney transplant, their families, and our incredible living donors.
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Contact The Practice
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Why Choose the Kidney Transplant Program at Christiana Care?
Each year, more than 1,000 patients rely on Christiana Care’s expert team of doctors and nurses for complete kidney transplant care. This includes:
Kidney transplant evaluation
You will receive an initial evaluation and comprehensive testing to assess your overall health. You will also have the opportunity to meet with several of our team members. Our team works as a committee to determine if you are a good candidate for the kidney transplant list.
Wait list care
Once you are on the wait list, we will connect with you monthly to check on any changes to your health status and any results you receive from outside tests (cardiology tests, CT scans, etc.). We encourage proactive communication.
Surgery and after-transplant care
Our team ensures you receive the best possible care throughout the entire process—even after your surgery. You will be discharged only after you have regained your strength and your health is stable; most patients stay in the hospital up to five days. We also want you to feel comfortable and confident about taking care of yourself before you go home. When you return home, we are available to provide additional information, answer your questions, and help with follow-up care.
Living kidney donation
In addition, we serve those who wish to give the gift of life through living kidney donation. Recipients with a living donor have the best outcomes, and a living donor can be anyone healthy enough to donate. If you would like to be evaluated as a potential living donor, contact us to get the process started.
Whether you are a patient or living donor, we are here to serve you. Connect with us today.
Kidney Transplant Program at Christiana Care
302.623.3866
