State Senator Malcolm A. Smith Announces Approval Of Kidney Transplant Center For Queens Community

State Senator Malcolm A. Smith (D-Queens) announced today that North Shore University Hospital’s (NSUH) application to create a kidney transplant program to serve the Queen’s community, has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.

The hospital received a letter of approval in January from the Department of Health stating that the last outstanding contingency for their certificate of need had been met. They can now move forward with the next steps in the pre-opening process.

The request was made as a result of the health fair co-sponsored by Senator Smith and the Greater Queens Chapter of the LINKS, Inc. during the Senator’s annual Senior Appreciation Week.

"I am thrilled that NSUH’s application has finally been approved. For my constituents, who need kidney transplantation, this will be a vital resource. The new kidney transplant program will be an important addition to our community health care services," said Senator Smith.

According to the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP), there are approximately 20 million people in the United States who suffer from kidney disease. By 2010, an estimated 661,330 people will have kidney failure.

"I know that NSUH will have great success operating a kidney transplant program, and it will benefit countless individuals in Queens," said Senator Smith.

"The addition of a kidney transplant program in Queens will save lives. I was compelled to write to Governor Pataki to make him aware of the urgency of this situation, and to state my support of this valuable program. I am pleased that the Governor and the Department of Health acted on this issue and now my constituents can receive the critical care they need," said Senator Smith.