Arjang Djamali, MD, former kidney transplant specialist at Madison, Wis.-based UW Health, donated a kidney to a former patient June 29.
Dr. Djamali met John Jartz, a patient with polycystic kidney disease, in 2015 when he came to UW Health for care, according to a July 19 news release. The two got to know one another over the next two years during clinic appointments, and it became clear that Mr. Jartz needed a kidney transplant in 2019.
Last year, Dr. Djamali met with Mr. Jartz to let him know he was leaving the health system to take on the role as chair of the medicine department at Portland-based Maine Medical Center. He also had a surprise to share with Mr. Jartz: He was a compatible donor for the kidney transplant Mr. Jartz needed. The two underwent the successful transplant procedure June 29.
"Ever since I was in medical school studying nephrology, I have wanted to walk the walk and make a difference in the life of someone with kidney disease," Dr. Djamali said. "Living kidney donation saves lives, and I hope my experience serves as an example for others."