University of Washington Division of Nephrology

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University of Washington Division of Nephrology

Our mission is to improve patient outcomes through focused, cutting edge research and personalized c Dialysis at that time was used only to stabilize a patient.

Prior to the 1950s, failing kidney function was a guarantee of death. Healthy kidneys remove waste and excess water from the blood but if the kidneys fail, dialysis is needed to remove the excess waste. Patients could not undergo dialysis treatment indefinitely due to the glass shunts that were used in the treatment. The shunts caused damage to veins and arteries to such a degree that long term di

alysis was impossible. If the kidneys did not begin to function properly the patient would eventually die of kidney failure. In 1960, Dr. Belding H. Scribner and his team at the University of Washington modified glass dialysis shunts by making them from Teflon. The teflon Scribner Shunt worked by keeping the circulatory access open after dialysis treatment. Whenever necessary, the kidney dialysis machine could be attached to the tube without damaging the veins or arteries. Dr. Scribner received the Gairdner Foundation International Award in 1969, and the Albert Lasker Award in 2002 for major contributions to medical science. With the creation of the Scribner Shunt, ongoing diaysis treatment became a reality and patients with chronic kidney disease could live with the disease. The world's first outpatient dialysis treatment center, the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center, was established in January 1962, later renamed the Northwest Kidney Center. Our work continues today with translational and basic research, clinical trials, improvements in technology and the desire to improve the lives of our patients. We are working on a Wearable Artificial Kidney to make dialysis portable, kidney on a chip for safe drug testing, and many exciting discoveries to help patients with kidney disease.

10/29/2025

In 1966, when she was just 12 years old, Linda Johnston learned her kidneys were failing. Four years later, at age 16, she received her first kidney transplant, a milestone she now celebrates every year on September 15. This year marks 55 years since that life-changing day.

Linda began dialysis in 1969 at the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center — now Northwest Kidney Centers — during the very early days of dialysis care. She later switched to home dialysis in 1970 before receiving a kidney transplant from her mom.

Inspired by her University of Washington transplant surgeon, Dr. Tom Marchioro, Linda went on to pursue a career in medicine and became a physician. She later received a second kidney transplant.

Read her inspiring story from the University of Washington Division of Nephrology:
https://nephrology.uw.edu/about/an-illness-and-its-blessings

UW Medicine

06/24/2025

We have not posted on Facebook for a few months. However, you can catch up with us on BlueSky, where we are active. Check us out at .bsky.social‬ to see all of our recent updates, photos, and Grand Rounds videos. 😊🙌🩺

01/15/2025

RSVP for the in Lecture with Dr. Ian de Boer, Director of the Institute. January 29th, 12pm PST. " & chronic kidney disease - meets " Scan the QR code
Kidney Research Institute UW Medicine

01/14/2025

Check out our most recent outstanding Grand Rounds presentation, "SGLT2i and GLP1-RA in Practice" by the inimitable Dr. Christine Limonte! There is so much to learn from common questions. University of Washington Division of Nephrology UW Medicine
Watch: https://youtu.be/CtCB5E4EI9M

01/13/2025

Our recent appreciation event occurred at Elmcandlebar, where we chose unique scents and created personalized candles! Dinner followed at Stoup Brewing . We love our at University of Washington Division of Nephrology UW Medicine

01/10/2025

Thrilling to have Dr. Eugene Lin from University of Southern California USC Schaeffer Center present at Grand Rounds this morning! His talk, " Ownership of Facilities and Dialysis Quality" was very enlightening and educational. UW Medicine University of Washington Division of Nephrology

Watch: youtu.be/GAvD6y7YJDg

University of Washington Nephrology Grand Rounds - January 10, 2025

01/03/2025

"Adolescent Patients on Dialysis-How to Effectively Transition to Adult Nephrology?" Dr. Raj Munshi shares valuable info on transitioning patient care.
Seattle Children's UW Medicine University of Washington Division of Nephrology Watch:

University of Washington Division of Nephrology - December 20, 2024

01/02/2025

Dr. Lindsay Harshman from the Univ of Iowa gave a stellar Grand Rounds presentation in Seattle, "The Brain in CKD: Lessons From Pediatric Neurodevelopment to Optimize Adult Kidney Care"
University of Washington Division of Nephrology UW Medicine
Watch: https://youtu.be/U7AR4mKD70

12/12/2024

Dr. Ben Humphreys gave an incredible Grand Rounds presentation, and we had the honor of hosting him in . Thank you for the amazing talk, "Insights into Acute Kidney Injury and Transition to Chronic Kidney Disease by Single Cell Technologies." University of Washington Division of Nephrology UW Medicine

12/10/2024

What a great time we had at our holiday gift exchange with these wonderful women in ! Women in Nephrology UW Medicine University of Washington Division of Nephrology

12/09/2024

"Always Keep Hoping - Past & Present Treatments for Recurrent C3G in Kidney Transplant Patients," presented by Chief Fellow Dr. Gao-Yuan Huang University of Washington Division of Nephrology UW Medicine

Watch here: https://youtu.be/PNqYh-KBahM

12/04/2024

We are excited to announce our program N**P Match Results for AY2025 and welcome this incredible new group of to University of Washington Division of Nephrology UW Medicine

Drs. Erin Biringen, Hanna Larson, Heba Maraei, Jessica Todsen, and William Qin

Address

1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA
98195

Telephone

+12065433792

Website

http://nephrology.uw.edu/

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