West Virginia has the highest rate of kidney disease in the United States. Finding specialized care here requires more planning — this page shows what's available in-state and where families travel for care they cannot yet access at home.
West Virginia has one comprehensive pediatric nephrology program, located in Morgantown. Children in southern and eastern WV often travel out of state. If the drive to Morgantown is not feasible, see the Out-of-State Options section below.
WVU Medicine offers telemedicine nephrology consultations to support patients in rural areas between in-person visits. Ask the pediatric nephrology team whether your child's follow-up appointments can be done virtually.
Many West Virginia families — particularly those in southern, central, and eastern WV — access pediatric kidney care at major centers in neighboring states. All transplants for WV children are currently performed at out-of-state centers.
WVU Medicine operates the primary academic adult nephrology program in West Virginia, including a nationally recognized rural outreach network that brings care to patients across 22 counties.
WVU Medicine offers telemedicine clinics to supplement rural outreach visits. Ask your primary care provider for a referral to WVU Medicine Nephrology — many follow-up appointments can be done without a long drive.
Your nephrologist will help coordinate your evaluation and care with a transplant center in a neighboring state. The nearest options are UPMC in Pittsburgh (approximately 75 miles from Morgantown) and University of Virginia Health in Charlottesville (accessible from eastern WV).
Being referred to an out-of-state center does not mean you cannot receive a transplant — it means your team is connecting you with the right specialists. Ask your nephrologist to begin the referral process as early as possible.
West Virginia leads the nation in home hemodialysis utilization — largely because many patients live far from dialysis centers. Home dialysis allows treatments to be done at home instead of driving to a center multiple times per week.
West Virginia has the highest home hemodialysis rate in the United States. If you live far from a dialysis center, ask your nephrologist whether home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is right for you. Both allow you to do treatments at home on a schedule that fits your life. WVU Medicine offers home dialysis training.
Transportation is one of the biggest challenges for WV kidney patients — many drive 2–3 hours each way for specialist care. Financial assistance programs can help cover travel costs, not just treatment.
The American Kidney Fund Safety Net program can help cover transportation costs to dialysis, specialist visits, and transplant evaluations. Call AKF at 1-800-795-3226 to apply.
Clinical trial availability in West Virginia is limited compared to larger academic centers. Many trials require travel to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or other academic medical centers. Ask your nephrologist what you may be eligible for.
WVU's nephrology program has particular expertise in ANCA vasculitis and rural CKD outcomes research. Ask your WVU nephrologist about active studies.
Browse kidney disease studies currently recruiting participants in WV on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Do not wait to contact your nephrologist if you believe you or your child is having a kidney emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER first.