In a powerful episode of “Closing the Gap: Kidney Transplant Access for Communities of Color | NMQF Live!” Dr. Anthony Watkins, surgical director of the Kidney and Pancreas Program at Tampa General Hospital, shares his expertise on improving equitable access to life-saving kidney transplants.

Dr. Watkins emphasizes that prevention is a vital element of care, urging communities to prioritize early detection of kidney-affecting diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes through annual visits with a primary care provider. The discussion highlights the critical role of primary care physicians and nephrologists, who serve as “gatekeepers” responsible for timely referrals once a patient’s kidney function (GFR) falls to 20 or below. Listeners gain crucial insight into the pathway to kidney health and why timely intervention from healthcare providers is essential.

The core of the conversation addresses the significant disparities that lead to longer transplant wait times for Black and Hispanic patients. Dr. Watkins explains that these extended waits stem from a combination of factors, including delays in referral, patient mistrust or reluctance, challenges in social support, and biological differences such as the higher prevalence of blood type B, which typically faces longer waiting periods. The complex transplant process—from initial referral to follow-up—is broken down, identifying the need for social support as one of the greatest hurdles for patients.

To mitigate geographical disparities in wait times, the segment explores the strategy of multilisting—being listed at more than one transplant center—while noting that resource constraints often limit this option to a small percentage of patients. Additionally, Dr. Watkins strongly advocates for increasing living donation, stressing that living-donor kidneys are considered the gold standard of treatment, offering better long-term outcomes and shortening the wait period from years to months.

Crucially, the episode dispels common misconceptions about organ donation, such as the myth that medical teams will not work to save a registered donor’s life, and clarifies that donating a kidney is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that does not decrease a donor’s lifespan.

The dialogue also offers a message of hope, highlighting recent policy strides, including the new race-free eGFR calculation enacted in January 2024. This change corrected a systemic barrier that had previously disadvantaged Black patients by delaying their transplant candidacy for years.

Policy reform is needed at every stage—from prevention to referral—to ensure patients are effectively listed and supported. Dr. Watkins’ concluding call to action encourages everyone to take ownership of their health, schedule annual medical assessments, and register as organ donors to help advance health equity for all.

Watch the full conversation to understand the profound impact your choice can have on closing this critical healthcare gap.