Transplant
Transplant
Bringing new life to the Rio Grande Valley

Transplant

The multidisciplinary team of physicians, surgeons, nurse coordinators, pharmacists, social workers and other health care providers at the DHR Health Transplant Institute provide specialized and compassionate care for kidney, liver and pancreatic disorders, including kidney transplantation. As the only CMS and UNOS certified kidney transplant center in the Rio Grande Valley, our team provides patients with the comprehensive care they need to receive a new chance at life.

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Services

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Hepatobiliary, Pancreas & Organ Transplant Surgery Center

Our team provides diagnosis, treatment and management for disorders of the gall bladder, pancreas and bile ducts. Common disorders include gall bladder disease, gallstones, pancreatitis, pancreatic tumors, biliary and liver tumors. We work with each patient and their family to develop a surgical and medical treatment plan that is tailored to their needs. We utilize advanced surgical techniques, such as minimally invasive procedures, to provide patients with the best possible outcomes. Along with our surgical and oncology team, a dietitian, patient navigator and support staff all work together to manage a patient's condition and follow-up care. Our surgeons also specialize in living donor nephrectomies and kidney transplant surgery.

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Kidney Transplant Center

Receiving an organ transplant can be an extensive process that requires the careful coordination of physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists, nurses and other clinicians. Our team educates patients and caregivers about the transplant evaluation process, financial implications, wait list management, surgical risks and benefits, medication management and dietary requirement and restrictions. Evaluation, transplant surgery, and postoperative care are all provided here, close to home.

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Kidney Transplant Education

DHR Health Transplant Institute is dedicated to providing education to our patients through all phases of transplant. Our multidisciplinary team works together to ensure that you are ready to make informed decisions about your care during the entire transplant process. Beginning in the referral stage, patients are educated about DHR Health’s selection criteria and what is expected at the initial clinic visit. During an initial evaluation, patients are provided with information about the transplant process, pre-transplant expectations, transplant event logistics, and local and national outcomes. Post-transplant, the entire team assists in providing valuable educational resources. From medicines to social expectations, you will be presented with resources to ensure that your transplant is a success.

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Liver Specialty Center

Living with a chronic liver conditions requires comprehensive treatment and management. We take a multidisciplinary approach that involves physicians and clinicians from different areas of medicine to collaborate and create a treatment and management plan that is unique to each patient. Caring for conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, our team is dedicated to providing compassionate care for these difficult diseases. We also have a liver transplant specialist to assess patients for candidacy and provide pre- and post-operative liver transplant care.

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Living Donation

With over 110,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ donation, living donation can be the quickest way to transplantation and result in longer lasting kidney life. Living donors do not have to be blood related and must be in overall good health. The majority of recipients’ insurance providers cover a donor’s evaluation and surgical expenses, and the recovery time can be as short as three weeks. If you are interested in living kidney donation, please call (956) 362-5433 to speak with our intake coordinator.

Find the care you need

Our Physicians

Sridhar Allam, MD
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Sridhar Allam, MD

Nephrology, Kidney Transplant
Locations
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 200
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-5433
(956) 362-2420
Get Directions
Jose L. Almeda, MD
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Jose L. Almeda, MD

Hepatobiliary, Pancreas and Organ Transplantation, Liver Pancreas Surgery
Locations
4770 N. Expressway 77
Suite 303
Brownsville, TX 78526

(956) 362-3715
(956) 362-3716
Get Directions
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 200
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-5433
(956) 362-2420
Get Directions
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 201
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-8030
(956) 362-8035
Get Directions
Eduardo Fernandes, MD
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Eduardo Fernandes, MD

Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary
Locations
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 202
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-2410
(956) 362-2414
Get Directions
Fernando E. Membreno, MD
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Fernando E. Membreno, MD

Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Services
Locations
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 202
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-2410
(956) 362-2414
Get Directions
Hector Saucedo Crespo, MD
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Hector Saucedo Crespo, MD

Nephrology, Kidney Transplantation
Locations
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 200
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-5433
(956) 362-2420
Get Directions
Jose Luis Valdes, MD
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Jose Luis Valdes, MD

Nephrology, Kidney Transplantation
Locations
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 200
McAllen, TX 78504

(956) 362-5433
(956) 362-2420
Get Directions
Find the care you need

Our Locations

Brownsville

DHR Health Specialty Clinic (Brownsville)
4770 N. Expressway 77
Suite 303
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956) 362-3715
(956) 362-3716
Hours:

physicians
Get Directions

McAllen

DHR Health Transplant Institute Hepatobiliary, Pancreas and Organ Transplantation Surgery Center
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 201
McAllen, TX 78504
(956) 362-8030
(956) 362-8035
Hours:

physicians
Get Directions

McAllen

DHR Health Transplant Institute Kidney Transplant Center
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 200
McAllen, TX 78504
(956) 362-5433
(956) 362-2420
Hours:

physicians
Get Directions

McAllen

DHR Health Transplant Institute Liver Specialty Center
1100 E. Dove Ave
Suite 202
McAllen, TX 78504
(956) 362-2410
(956) 362-2414
Hours:

physicians
Get Directions
Patient-Centered Care

What our patients are saying

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Dr. Jose Almeda and his team are the MVP and the GOATS! They are my heroes. My surgery went phenomenal and now I get to live a normal life.

DHR Health Patient Feb 02, 2025
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Dr Almeda and Staff, Thank You for being there for my mom during this scary, worrisome time, for the before, during, and after care of her surgery…

E. Osornio Aug 25, 2024
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I can't recommend Dr. Almeda and his staff highly enough. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with warmth and professionalism…Dr. Almeda himself is an exceptional doctor who goes above and beyond for his patients…He takes the time to listen, explain things thoroughly, and ensures that all my questions are answered…If you're looking for a doctor who treats you like family and a staff that makes you feel welcomed and valued, look no further than Dr. Almeda's practice. I'm truly grateful to have found such a wonderful healthcare team!

A. Mascorro Jul 25, 2024
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I would definitely recommend DHR Health Transplant Institute. We felt very safe, with complete trust in the hands of Dr. Valdes and his team…He attended to my uncle and knew his entire case. He had studied it very well. He resolved our doubts with patience, as well as his extensive explanations that left us calm and even with a smile. The friendly treatment, the invaluable information, and the security he gave us definitely provided everything we needed in this difficult situation…

A. Garza López Apr 25, 2024
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The team at the DHR Health Transplant Institute saved my life, and I am forever grateful. The care I received was amazing, and everyone was so helpful. This has been a blessing for my family.

DHR Health Patient Feb 02, 2024
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Dr. Jose Almeda is an ‘Outstanding Liver Specialist’!! I felt so at ease in his care & especially throughout my surgery. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM!!! …Simply the best!

DHR Health Patient Aug 19, 2020
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Always very helpful!

DHR Health Patient Aug 19, 2020

Videos

DHR Health Transplant Institute – Dr. Hector Saucedo Crespo

Dr. Hector Saucedo Crespo shares how we can support you and your loved ones with Transplant services, right here at home.

How Do I Get a Kidney Transplant?

Are you needing a kidney transplant? How do you know if you need one?

DHR Health Transplant Institute

Learn more about the DHR Health Transplant Institute and how it is changing lives.

Transplant Testimonial – Inocescio Torres Jr.

Hear a touching story of how Inocescio’s life was changed with kidney transplantation and how his own daughter gave back.

Mi Heroe

Cada historia de trasplante tiene un héroe.

¿Qué es un trasplante de riñón?

En este video compartimos qué implica un trasplante de riñón, quién puede donar y cómo un trasplante puede cambiar tu vida.

What is a Kidney Transplant?

In this video, we share what a kidney transplant entails, who can donate and how a transplant can change your life.

Sridhar Allam, MD • Nephrology, Kidney Transplant • DHR Health

DHR Health

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Increasing Organ Transplant Model

DHR Health has been selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to participate in the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model. The IOTA Model aims to increase access to life-saving transplants for patients living with end-stage renal disease and reduce Medicare expenditures.

Learn more about IOTA
DHR Health

Care For You. For Life.

Our Physicians

DHR Health is majority owned by the same doctors that treat patients every single day. Choose from our wide range of specialty clinic doctors, physician-partners, and hospital staff.

Find a Doctor
DHR Health Resources &

Related Links

Gift of Life
Register to be an Organ Donor
National Kidney Foundation
Transplant Living
Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients
Organ Procurement and Transplant Network
Transplant Foundation of South Texas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant replaces a failing kidney with a healthy one, offering a potential long-term solution for kidney failure.


Who needs a kidney transplant?

People with end-stage kidney disease, where their kidneys can no longer filter waste from the blood effectively, may need a transplant.


How is eligibility for a transplant determined?

A comprehensive evaluation by a transplant team determines if a patient is a good candidate, considering overall health, medical history, and suitability for the procedure.


Can I be evaluated for a transplant before I start dialysis?

Yes, it's recommended to start the evaluation process early, even before dialysis, to explore all treatment options.


What are the benefits of a kidney transplant compared to dialysis?

A transplant can offer a better quality of life, reduce the need for frequent dialysis appointments, and potentially increase lifespan.


Where do kidneys come from?

Kidneys can come from either living donor (related or unrelated) or deceased donors (individuals who have died and donated their organs).


How are kidneys matched to recipients?

Kidneys are matched based on blood type and other factors to minimize the risk of rejection.


What happens during the transplant surgery?

Recipient’s lower abdomen is opened and the donor kidney is connected to the recipient blood vessels and urinary tract.


How successful are kidney transplants?

Kidney transplants are generally successful, with a high rate of long-term success, especially with living donor transplants.


What happens after the transplant?

Patients require multiple medications to prevent rejection and regular check-ups to monitor kidney function and detect complications.


Do you have more questions?

For more information, please contact our clinic at (956) 342-LIFE (5433).