Dallas Nephrology Associates Celebrate 40 Years of Excellence
Technology and society have changed dramatically over the last 40 years: eight U.S. presidents, the inventions of DVDs,
microwave ovens, the Internet, GPS systems, and Smart Phones just to name a few. The same is true for one of the nation’s oldest and largest nephrology practice groups, Dallas Nephrology Associates (DNA). Through the years, DNA has grown into one of the largest single specialty nephrology practice groups in the United States and continues to be on the forefront of patient care.
Prior to 1971, patients needing dialysis treatment in Dallas had only two choices, Peritoneal Dialysis or Home Hemodialysis and only one place, Parkland Memorial Hospital, to receive treatments. Drs. Alan R. Hull and Ronald C. Prati had a vision to build and manage a dialysis treatment center outside of a hospital setting In June 1971, they opened the Southwestern Dialysis Center and started what later became the practice group of Dallas Nephrology Associates.
“Southwestern Dialysis Center was unique in that within the dialysis center we had our doctors’ offices, outpatient clinic, plus a conference room which was a totally new concept” stated Dr. Hull.
Substantial changes in dialysis technology have occurred over the last 40 years that have also positively impacted patient care and the physician’s care of those patients.
“The dialysis equipment provides smoother sessions, pharmaceuticals correct metabolic deficiencies, and we have fresher understandings of the value of providing a variety of treatment modalities instead of just thrice weekly dialysis,” says Dr. Tom Parker, one of the early members of the group who pioneered many scientific advances related to dialysis.
“Since DNA began 40 years ago, technology and medical improvements have made tremendous advancements,” said Dr. Ruben Velez, President and CEO of DNA. “Since our beginning, our practice has led the way—from starting the first private dialysis center in Dallas to the creation of one of the nation’s largest and most sophisticated out-patient transplant clinics at the Dallas Transplant Institute.”
Dallas Transplant Institute (DTI) is unique in that it is a stand-alone clinic in a private practice that provides care to post-transplant patients. DTI has a Medicare approved lab, radiology services and radio nuclear studies.
Dr. Hull recalls, “Shortly after the DTI opened in 1981, they were visited by one of the leading transplant surgeons at that time, who commented that they could not do this at their university center, but if they could, it would be designed exactly like this is.” DTI continues to provide care to transplant patients and offers a full complement of professionals including transplant physicians, nurses, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, social workers and dietitians. DTI also has one of the largest pre- transplant departments evaluating living donors and potential
recipients for several of the major transplanting hospitals in Dallas. Patient referrals come from all over Texas, the United States and some international.
Today, DNA has approximately 70 physicians and currently operates 14 offices throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. In addition to providing care for dialysis and transplant patients, DNA offers expert treatment for a variety of renal disorders including hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and kidney stones. The group is also instrumental and proactive in education of primary care physicians in the early detection of kidney disease resulting in delaying or preventing progression to end stage renal disease. In addition, DNA is involved in teaching and training of young physicians in several major teaching programs in Dallas.
More sophisticated treatment of patients with kidney disease has resulted in patients being kept off of dialysis longer. These treatments are primarily advancements in pharmaceutical treatment of certain kidney disease and/or of the symptoms caused by kidney disease. Of course, early detection has been a main emphasis resulting in earlier treatment. Kidney disease affects 15-30 million people with more than 550,000 receiving some form of renal replacement therapy.
DNA physicians continue their 40-year trend of maintaining leadership positions in the nephrology community, locally, regional, and nationally including the American Society of Transplant Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, Renal Physicians Association, National Kidney Foundation, Inc, and Texas Transplant Society and the Texas Governor’s CKD Task Force. DNA physicians were founding members of the American Transplant Society and Texas Transplant Society.
“Our reputation across not only the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but across the country was not established overnight—but through four decades of leadership and excellence from all of our employees,” said Dr. Velez. “Our team of physicians and staff are continually called upon for advice and direction from other practice groups around the world.”
Dr. Velez emphasizes that as the industry continues to evolve, DNA will be there in the forefront. “We are never content with the status quo. We strive every day to lead the way in patient care and we truly look forward to the next 40 years.”
214-358-2300
www.dneph.com 1-877-6KIDNEY (1-877-654-3639) 1420 Viceroy Dr., Dallas 75235
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