Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Medical Director of Pediatric Kidney Transplant Appointed to Prestigious National Committee
July 19, 2022
Namrata G. Jain, M.D., medical director of Pediatric Kidney Transplant at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, has been appointed to a prestigious three-year term on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Pediatric Transplantation Committee for UNOS, a private, non-profit organization that serves as the organ transplant system in the United States. This committee oversees policies for multiple organ transplant specialities.
The appointment coincides with Dr. Jain being named a NephCure Kidney International Specialist, one of only two to be named in the state of New Jersey. To be named a NephCure Specialist, candidates must at a minimum meet criteria that includes a history of research participation in clinical trials, consortia, or other studies and be a designated glomerular disease specialist. NephCure is a research focused, patient advocacy group with the mission of expediting treatments for glomerular diseases.
The Pediatric Transplantation Committee for UNOS appointment became active this month, distinguishing Dr. Jain as a national expert who will collaborate with colleagues from health systems across the country on nationwide organ transplant policy.
Dr. Jain joined the Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health pediatric kidney transplant program at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in August 2021. Board certified in pediatrics and pediatric nephrology, Dr. Jain specializes in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
- Acute kidney injury
- Chronic kidney disease
- Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract
- Electrolyte disorders
- End-stage kidney disease
- Glomerulonephritis
- Hematuria
- Hypertension
- Hydronephrosis
- Kidney biopsy
- Kidney stones
- Kidney transplant
- Lupus nephritis
- Prenatal consultations
- Proteinuria
- Renal tubular acidosis
Dr. Jain is committed to clinical research that improves quality outcomes for her patients and has co-authored numerous publications in high-impact journals. She is principal investigator for a Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium study and an active participant in several multicenter research consortiums.
“I am honored to be appointed to the OPTN Pediatric Transplantation Committee for UNOS,” said Dr. Jain. “I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the U.S. who share my goal of improving and advancing pediatric transplant care.”
“Dr. Jain’s appointment to UNOS reflects her renal transplant expertise and commitment to providing outstanding care to pediatric patients with kidney disease and renal failure at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health, as well as children across the country,” said Judy Aschner, M.D., physician-in-chief for Pediatrics, Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health. “We look forward to Dr. Jain’s contributions to the development of nationwide kidney transplant policy through her involvement with UNOS.”
“Our entire organization is proud of Dr. Jain and her appointment to this prestigious committee,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack
University Medical Center, and president, Northern Region, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Since she became a part of the nephrology care team, Dr. Jain has worked with her colleagues to build upon Hackensack Meridian Health’s already-stellar reputation as a leader in pediatric kidney transplantation.”
About Dr. Jain
Dr. Jain earned her medical degree from New York Medical College. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s Hospital) / Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and a fellowship in pediatric nephrology and transplant at Boston Children’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School. She is fluent in English and Assamese, and proficient in medical Spanish.
“At the heart of my practice is the fact that I think of all my patients as ‘my children.’ I, myself, have two young kids. I want parents to know that, with each medication and procedure I recommend, I am trying to put myself in their shoes,” said Dr. Jain. “I understand that it can be scary to be referred to a specialist and I aim to take the time needed to explain all the details. I welcome questions from parents and want to make sure I am always providing the care each child deserves.”